SCHS & Americana Restaurants International
In a first-of-its-kind state-level initiative, Americana Restaurants International and Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS) signed a memorandum of understanding on Thursday, July 3, 2025, to improve coordination, cooperation, and a successful partnership. The agreement also calls for hiring a group of individuals with hearing impairments for new Pizza Hut locations that will be opened nationwide.
Her Excellency, General Manager Ms. Mona Abdul Karim Al Yafei signed the memorandum on behalf of SCHS, and Mr. Harsh Bansal, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Growth Officer of Americana Restaurants International, signed it on behalf of Americana Restaurants. Additionally, the employment contracts were signed in front of the hearing-impaired people who will be working.
In line with global best practices, the company's delegation watched an introductory presentation on SCHS's most significant programs and services for its members with disabilities prior to the signing ceremony, which was held at SCHS's headquarters in the Al-Badi'a suburb (Barashi district). The delegation was also shown "Takween" goods, which are expertly produced by members of the Masarat Center for Development and Empowerment, after the employment contracts and memorandum were signed.
Mona Abdul Karim Al-Yafei:
We call on institutions to provide job opportunities that suit people with disabilities.
Her Excellency Ms. Mona Abdul Karim Al Yafei affirmed that the SCHS is keen to provide opportunities and initiatives that empower and support persons with disabilities in various fields. She called on institutions to create job opportunities that suit persons with disabilities, based on their disabilities, and to believe in their abilities and talents, while facilitating information about the work environment.
She pointed out that SCHS’s Department presents itself as a model to be emulated in this field, as the number of its employees who are persons with disabilities has reached 70 out of 766 employees, according to the latest approved statistics, as SCHS plays a pivotal role in empowering people with disabilities by providing appropriate employment opportunities. It also works to qualify, train, and employ people with disabilities, in addition to providing social support and community awareness to them and their families.
Al Yafei pointed out SCHS's keenness to build bridges of communication and develop cooperation with various entities and institutions inside and outside the country, in a way that contributes to achieving its interim and strategic goals, in accordance with the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, may God protect him, and the directives of Her Excellency Sheikha Jameela bint Muhammad Al Qasimi, President of SCHS.
SCHS's general manager praised the strengthening of cooperation with the international restaurant company Americana through the memorandum of understanding, which primarily aims to empower, employ, and integrate people with hearing disabilities and raise awareness of their issues.
In conclusion, Ms. Mona commended Americana Restaurants' commitment to cooperating with SCHS, calling on relevant community institutions to support this initiative and strengthen cooperation with SCHS in all areas, including the employment of people with disabilities. She extended her sincere thanks to the company's management, expressing hope for further cooperation in the future.
Harsh Bansal:
The memorandum reflects our firm commitment to empowering people with hearing disabilities.
and integrate them into inclusive work environments
For his part, Mr. Harsh Bansal, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Growth Officer at Americana Restaurants, said, “The Memorandum of Understanding we signed with SCHS reflects our unwavering commitment to empowering people with hearing disabilities and integrating them into inclusive work environments that celebrate their abilities and provide them with the space to be creative and contribute effectively.
He added, “This partnership comes within the framework of the "Opportunities for All" initiative, which aims to create inclusive work environments that provide fair and equal opportunities.
He expressed the company's pride in its collaboration with Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services, appreciating the leadership efforts of Her Excellency Sheikha Jameela bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, President of SCHS, and the efforts of Her Excellency Ms. Mona Abdul Karim Al Yafei, Director General of SCHS, and SCHS's work team, who contributed to turning this initiative into a tangible reality.
He concluded by saying, "At Americana Restaurants, we don't just serve food; we build integrated communities around the joy of it. Through this partnership, we seek to instill a culture of inclusive work and enhance empowerment opportunities in the restaurant sector, both within the country and across the region."