The Egyptian dessert franchise B.Laban has created quite a buzz in Casablanca with the opening of its first Moroccan branch. Located in the bustling Maarif neighborhood, the shop has become a magnet for dessert enthusiasts eager to sample its creamy dairy concoctions. However, this honeymoon was shortlived, as the shop closed its doors on Wednesday, just one week after its opening. In fact, the popularity of B.Laban in Maarif has sparked criticism from local residents and businesses due to the congestion it has caused. The queues have obstructed traffic, leading to a significant public nuisance. Since the opening, videos circulated online showing the crowds outside the Egyptian franchise, with authorities stepping in to manage the situation. The brand even shared these videos on its Instagram page, celebrating the successful launch in Morocco. Yet, B.Laban's initial success faced a setback. On Wednesday afternoon, the shop was unexpectedly closed, with rumors swirling online about potential violations of «health and hygiene standards, as well as safety and security measures». The shop's owner, in an interview with a local newspaper three days ago, even urged customers to respect the line and avoid crowding. He also revealed that «authorities threatened closure if order was not restored», and that he tried to hire security companies to manage the crowds but they were unsuccessful in curbing the chaos. Yabiladi confirmed the shop's closure, witnessing a police officer directing the remaining crowd to disperse and subsequently blocking part of the road leading to B.Laban's location. Interestingly, earlier that same day, a significant line had formed outside the Maarif shop as early as 9 a.m., with customers eager to be served. B.Laban's Moroccan debut followed an extensive social media campaign that paved the way for its opening. According to its LinkedIn profile, the franchise boasts over 120 branches in nine countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, Jordan, Qatar, and Kuwait.
