in a little more than a year. Ultimately, only two out of the original 40 locations planned were opened in the United Arab Emirates. Both closed in January 2015. The brand also announced in December 2013 a 50-unit franchise agreement in Saudi Arabia with AB Holdings. The first location in Riyadh was expected to open in the first half of 2014. The first location in the Persian Gulf country of Kuwait was opened in December 2014. This location appeared to have been closed after less than three years of operation. The first location in Qatar opened at the Tawar Mall in November 2017. Europe The first two European locations opened in Cannes, France, in May 2014 and on the island of Ibiza in Spain in June 2014. The second location in France was opened in Marseille in December 2014. A third location in France was opened in Toulon in April 2016 and was quickly followed in June by the openings of a fourth and fifth locations in Caen and Rueil-Malmaison, in October by the openings of a sixth location at the Cité Europe shopping centre in Coquelles, and in November of a seventh location in Fenouillet. The eighth and ninth location in France were open in Bordeaux and Anglet respectively in early 2017. A second location in Marseille was opened in December 2017. A third location in Marseille, the 17th location in France, was opened in May 2018. The second location in Spain was opened in the capital Madrid in September 2015 followed by a third location in Churra, Murcia in October 2015. The first location in Italy opened in Milan in December 2015. A second location was opened in Peschiera del Garda in May 2016. A third location was opened in Castione Andevenno in September 2016. In July 2016, the first location in Portugal opened in Montijo, near Lisbon. In December 2016, the first store in the United Kingdom opened in Chester, Cheshire, England. The only location within the UK was closed 21 months later in August 2018. Controversies Franchise pricing lawsuits Between 2010 and 2015, Steak 'n Shake became involved in lawsuits with several of its franchisees concerning mandatory menu prices and mandatory food sourcing. , five lawsuits had been filed. The first lawsuit began in 2010 and is by Stuller, Inc., the Illinois franchisee that is the oldest franchisee in Steak 'n Shake's history. Stuller won a