Karas signed a 1.5-year contract with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) on joint implementation of project aimed at developing Karas national food chain.

The project is managed and monitored by EBRD Small Business Support Group. The project has provided Karas with professional adviser – Steve Winham – from EBRD with a vast experience in the service sector – in various European countries. Steve Winham worked at Burger King - global chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, as well as major European supermarket chains.

“The major program implemented jointly with the EBRD is the introduction of the HACCP standards (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points). HACCP is a systematic preventive approach to food safety from biological, chemical and physical hazards in production processes that can cause the finished product to be unsafe, and designs measurements to prevent, eliminate or reduce these risks to a safe level. HACCP system can be used at all stages of a food chain, from food production and preparation processes including packaging, distribution, etc.”, said Co-Owner of Karas Chain Tigran Yuzbashyan.

In order to implement the HACCP system, Karas chain plans not only to improve its own production, but also to apply this system and its requirements to the suppliers of food and raw materials.

“The result of our cooperation with EBRD will be the adaptation of all business processes of Karas chain to the international standards for its subsequent entry into the international market with the opening of new restaurants”, said Co-Owner of Karas Chain Ashot Harutyunyan.