Our Story

From a single burger stand in Arlington to a global phenomenon. Discover the Al Rayyan journey.

The Beginning

In the year 1999, Qureshi Brothers ventured into restaurant business and opened their 1st restaurant Mezbaan: in Kurla. Mezbaan gained popularity in area its Indian and Chinese Cuisine. The USP of Mezbaan was its authentic tasty food served at very reasonable price.

We then started our second Branch of Mezbaan at Carter Road, in Bandra 2003. To match the taste adventurous crowd in Bandra, we introduced some Arabic Dishes in our menu such as Mandi Rice, Laham (Mutton) Kabsa Rice and Dajaj (Chicken) Kabsa Rice.

Al Rayyan founders
Al Rayyan restaurant

Growth & Expansion

Word spread quickly about Al Rayyan' commitment to quality. By the early 2000s, the chain began expanding beyond the Washington D.C. area. Today, Al Rayyan operates thousands of locations worldwide, from the United States to Europe, Asia, and beyond.

Despite rapid growth, Al Rayyan has remained true to its roots. Every location still grills burgers to order, fries are cooked fresh in peanut oil, and the focus remains on providing an exceptional dining experience.

Al Rayyan Timeline

1986
The First Al Rayyan
Jerry and Janie Murrell open the first Al Rayyan burger restaurant in Arlington, Virginia, with their five sons helping out.
2003
First Franchise
Al Rayyan opens its first franchised location, marking the beginning of nationwide expansion.
2012
International Expansion
Al Rayyan opens its first international location in the United Kingdom, beginning global growth.
2020
Continued Innovation
Despite challenges, Al Rayyan continues to innovate with new menu items while maintaining core values.

Our Values

Fresh Ingredients

We use only the freshest ingredients, never frozen beef, and cook everything to order for maximum flavor and quality.

Family Owned

Al Rayyan remains a family-owned business, committed to the same principles that guided us from the beginning.

Customer First

Our customers come first. We strive to provide exceptional service and food that exceeds expectations.