Syrian immigrants open Walmart Cafe in Türkiye ahead of retail giant’s entry

A group of Syrian immigrants who fled to Türkiye because of the ongoing conflict in their home country has opened a restaurant using the name of the world-renowned retail giant, Walmart.

Established in 2016 in Basaksehir, Istanbul, Walmart Cafe Restaurant operates under the same name but is not affiliated with the U.S.-based company. The founders of the restaurant are primarily Syrian refugees.

Tankut Turnaoglu, head of the American Business Council (AmCham) Türkiye, recently announced that Walmart plans to open an office in Türkiye and begin sourcing products, particularly in sectors such as furniture and frozen foods. Turnaoglu mentioned that Walmart sees Türkiye as a key hub for its supply chain.

The news of the U.S. retail giant’s entry into the Turkish market has led to the discovery of a restaurant operating under the same name. Walmart Cafe Restaurant is the first business in Türkiye to use the Walmart name.

The fact that Syrian immigrant entrepreneurs founded the restaurant highlights the entrepreneurial spirit within Türkiye’s refugee community.

How will Walmart respond?

As Walmart plans to enter the Turkish market, the existence of a restaurant operating under the same name raises questions about how the global brand will respond. As a major international corporation, Walmart’s response to this situation remains unclear.

This case brings to light the challenges that global companies may face when dealing with local businesses bearing similar names and underscores the complex dynamics of entrepreneurship in local markets.