Bahraini-based The Living Concepts (TLC), the owner of the Maya La Chocolaterie brand, has announced the early termination of a franchise agreement with Qatar’s Business Trading Company (BTC).

BTC which owned the franchise territories of Maya La Chocolaterie in Qatar, UAE, Jordan, Lebanon and Oman will no longer be representing the brands in these territories, a statement from TLC said.

Hamad Janahi, TLC managing director, said: “We are confident that the termination came at the best interest for the Maya La Chocolaterie brand, this presents us the opportunity of reentering these markets under new management and ownership.”

Operations of the Qatar, UAE and Jordan territories will remain closed until further notice, he added without giving a reason for the contract termination.

Maya La Chocolaterie is a chocolate retail concept that sells chocolate desserts, drinks and products.

The brand was introduced by TLC Bahrain with the aim of creating an international brand for the chocolates that are all produced in the Gulf kingdom.

Following its launch in Bahrain in 2007, Maya La Chocolaterie can be found in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait with plans to open soon in Jeddah and Dammam.

Franchise talks are also currently underway for the expansion of the brand in The United States, The United Kingdom, India, Dubai and Singapore, the statement added.