American Eagle Outfitters
American Eagle OutfittersAmerican Eagle
American Eagle Outfitters Inc. has signed a multiyear franchise agreement to open a series of stores in Israel by the spring of 2012. The move would expand the teen retailer's presence in the Middle East, joining the stores it has already opened in Dubai and Kuwait. 


American Eagle operates about 1,000 stores worldwide, 936 of them in the U.S. and Canada. It ships merchandise to 76 countries. 


On Wednesday it signed a franchise agreement with Fox-Wizel Ltd., which operates more than 170 FOX stores in Israel as well as 250 outlets outside of Israel. Its brands include men's, women's, children's and babies' apparel.


As in American Eagle's other international venues, the Israeli chain will handle local operational matters and American Eagle will be in charge of creative control.


The Chief Executive of American Eagle, James O'Donnell, said in May that expansion abroad was a top priority for the company over the next few years. The chain has announced plans for opening stores in Hong Kong and China early next year.