Saudi Arabian entertainment and events leader Benchmark has announced the acquisition of production company BigHouse in a strategic move to bolster its presence in the content creation and media industry. The announcement, made during a press conference in Riyadh, also included the launch of “Million Riyal Menu,” the Saudi edition of the global hit entrepreneurship show “Million Pound Menu,” aimed at fostering innovation in the Kingdom’s food and beverage sector.
A Strategic Move for Content Dominance
The integration of BigHouse into Benchmark’s portfolio marks a significant step towards creating a comprehensive entertainment powerhouse. The move is designed to combine Benchmark’s event and entertainment expertise with BigHouse’s 15-year track record in creative production across Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the UAE.
Zaki Hasnain, Chairman of Benchmark, emphasized the company’s commitment to advancing Saudi Arabia’s entertainment industry. “The inclusion of BigHouse is a strategic step to enhance content creation and deliver innovative works that blend global standards with local identity,” he stated. “Launching ‘Million Riyal Menu’ is a prime example of this direction, offering inspiring content that reflects ambition and success stories.”
Ahmed Tharwat, CEO and Managing Director of BigHouse, added that the primary goal is to establish a new production arm for Benchmark covering drama, advertising, films, and television shows. “This step solidifies Benchmark’s position as a leader in Middle Eastern content creation and professionally expands its services and market reach,” said Tharwat.
Fueling F&B Entrepreneurship
A central part of the announcement was the launch of “Million Riyal Menu,” a program that provides a platform for F&B entrepreneurs to pitch their concepts to a panel of expert investors. The show aims to turn promising ideas into successful, scalable businesses on the ground in Saudi Arabia.
The launch is part of a strategic partnership with IMP, a company focused on producing impactful content and building integrated investment platforms. Ahmed Luxor, Managing Director of IMP, noted that the booming restaurant sector, strong investment climate, and tourism growth in the Kingdom made “Million Riyal Menu” the natural starting point for their five-year partnership.
“Our collaboration with BigHouse aims to build a long-term platform that extends from Saudi Arabia across the region,” explained Luxor. “We will focus on joint production, distribution, and capacity building to elevate the quality of Saudi content to a global standard.”
The initiative received a high-profile endorsement from His Excellency Turki Al-Sheikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, reflecting the government’s strong support for developing the local entertainment and content landscape while empowering homegrown talent and entrepreneurs.
About Benchmark
Benchmark is a leading event management, production, and entertainment company based in Saudi Arabia. Known for organizing major concerts, festivals, and corporate events, the company plays a pivotal role in the Kingdom’s rapidly growing entertainment sector, aligning with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
About Million Riyal Menu
Million Riyal Menu is the official Saudi Arabian adaptation of the acclaimed international reality TV format “Million Pound Menu.” The program offers aspiring F&B entrepreneurs a unique opportunity to present their restaurant or food concepts to a panel of prominent investors, with the goal of securing funding to launch or expand their ventures. It serves as a platform to discover and support the next generation of culinary innovators in the Kingdom.
Source: Makkah Newspaper
