In 1965, the company diversified by opening a Sheraton hotel in Kuwait City, the first Sheraton outside North America.[3] In 1983, Alshaya expanded its franchising business when it acquired the Kuwait franchise rights for UK retailer Mothercare.[3] H&M,[4] In 1999, Alshaya entered the food retail sector with a partnership with Starbucks.[3] Alshaya's acquisition of the Topshop franchise for Turkey in 2002 was its first expansion outside the Middle East.