9 kings of nightlife
In Beirut, trends come and go on the club and bar scene in the same amount of time it takes to shake a cocktail. Properties need to be refreshed, neighborhoods are hot – and then not – and then there are the trends in people’s tastes, like whisky versus rum. Not many moguls are able to ride the waves smoothly enough to stay in business. We catch up with nice heavyweights who have dominated the scene and are here to stay
Pop-up franchises more than a passing trend?
In the era of social media, zapping and ever-changing new trends, restaurant operators have a challenging time staying in vogue. Changing your décor, menu and vibe every other month to keep customers on their toes is a big ask for many venues and perhaps difficult to achieve for some. The growing trend of pop-up concepts, however, could be a way around the problem. Setting up a temporary restaurant may initially seem quite ambitious, given that it requires an upfront investment similar to what’s required for a permanent project, before closing down soon after. But don’t judge this book by its cover, as Nagi Morkos, managing partner at Hodema consulting services, explains
Middle East Franchise Market Overview
Restaurants, like any other business, aim to adopt a model that enables them to make a profit and viably expand their interests in untapped markets and benefit from their profit potential. One model that has become increasingly popular as a way of achieving these goals is franchising. Abdul Kader Saadi, managing director and owner of Glee Hospitality Solutions, breaks down the regional market
106 hotels in the Middle East, Africa, and Indian Ocean honored in Forbes Travel Guide
38 properties in the UAE received accolades, and Saudi Arabia is one of the latest counties to be included in the guide, with six properties awarded.
