10 homegrown franchises to watch
Jennifer Pettinger Haines, co-founder of the Global Restaurant Investment Forum, shines a spotlight on some of the many fast-growing restaurant brands that are already making waves in the Middle East and look destined for an even bigger, brighter future.
Destination MENA: 9 restaurant franchises with regional potential
As one exciting year for international franchising comes to an end and another begins, Farrah Rose, head of international development at The Franchising Centre, takes a globe-trotting look at some of the restaurant concepts causing a stir worldwide, from poke to Parisian pastries.
A touch of Provencal charm with chef Rita Yazbek
Chef Rita Yazbek’s culinary journey in the world of hospitality and gastronomy is nothing short of inspiring. Having worked alongside renowned chefs like Adrien Trouilloud and Alain Ducasse, she played an instrumental role in the success of SUD Restobar, which she co-founded. Yazbek is now embarking on an exciting culinary adventure with her new project Cezanne in Dbayeh, just outside Beirut. We find out more about the venue that exudes Provencal charm.
Eugeniu Gheorghiciuc appointed GM of Attiko restaurant Dubai
Sunset Hospitality has appointed Eugeniu Gheorghiciuc as the new general manager of Attiko. With 14 years of solid F&B experience in Dubai, Gheorghiciuc will oversee all operations across the venue and play an integral part in expanding the brand globally.
Savoring authentic Lebanese food with Elie Bassil, founder and COO of Habib Beirut
The concept began with an elderly man named Habib, who was renowned by locals for his pickles and homemade dairy products. News of his outstanding goods quickly spread, and it wasn’t long before restaurants started serving his dishes. Forty years later, Habib Beirut was born, and today, the brand is synonymous with authentic Lebanese food cooked with passion and a twist. Elie Bassil, founder and COO of Habib Beirut, discusses the concept’s rise to fame and his plans for the future.
The French-Italian connection with chef Mamo Pepino, founder of Mamo Michelangelo
We sat down with the chef behind the famed restaurant Mamo Michelangelo to learn more about how he is bringing a piece of France and Italy to the Saudi dining scene.
Maristo Hospitality signs master franchise agreement with German Doner Kebab
Maristo Hospitality has taken over the operations of German Doner Kebab (GDK), with plans to expand in the UAE and the Middle East. The official agreement was signed in December 2022 in the presence of Imran Sayeed, group CEO of GDK International, and Maristo Hospitality’s CEO, Gaurav Arora.
A fine-dining street food experience with Khadija Kumcheang
In the kitchen of Hikina restaurant, sous chef Khadija Kumcheang takes us on a culinary journey to the Far East.
3Fils, an award-winning contemporary Asian restaurant
3Fils, a harbor-side community-style restaurant serving premium Asian dishes with a Japanese twist, has been piling up awards for quite some time, topping the list at the inaugural MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards (2022), Forbes Top 10 Coolest Places To Eat (2019) and TimeOut Dubai’s Best Asian Restaurant for three consecutive years (2018-2020). Ahmed Saleh, CEO of The Lab Holding, which operates 3Fils, explains how this homegrown concept has been able to go head-to-head with multinational restaurants.
- 1
- 2
Restaurant trends in Saudi and the world at large
Duncan Fraser-Smith, founder of The Cutting Edge Hospitality Agency and author of “Create to Plate,” discusses restaurant trends in Saudi Arabia and the broader global trends impacting the industry.