#F&B

McDonald's UAE Umm Suqeim All-female Team at restaurant launch Image McDonald's UAE

McDonald’s UAE opens first outlet with all-female staff, features partial solar PV roof, EV charging ports

The latest venue features another ‘first’, as the branch has also introduced curbside ordering, allowing customers to place orders digitally from designated parking spaces

Bateel Bakery Image credit Bateel

Bateel International expands culinary portfolio with launch of Bateel Bakery

The new concept is backed by a rapid expansion plan in the region and internationally, across malls, commercial centres, airports and standalone street locations

Karl Hougaard shares the top businesses to star in the UAE in 2023

Top businesses to start in the UAE in 2023

The UAE offers a variety of business opportunities, both on and offline, for entrepreneurs looking to start new ventures in 2023

Dubai

Dubai’s GDP grows 4.6% during first nine months of 2022

The emirate hosted 10.12 million international visitors from January through September 2022, compared to 3.85 million welcomed during the same period last year

Agthia completes acquisition of majority stake in Auf Group

Agthia completes acquisition of majority stake in Egypt’s Auf Group

Agthia has acquired 60 per cent of the Auf Group, with the Egyptian company’s founders retaining a 30 per cent stake

Cover story: UAE-based businessman Ghassan Aboud on how a sound diversification strategy drives growth

In an exclusive interview, chairman and founder of Ghassan Aboud Group explains why success is only sustainable if it is inclusive

UAE F&B

UAE’s F&B imports from Latin America reached $1.9bn in 2020

F&B exports from Latin American markets accounted for 12 per cent of the UAE’s total F&B imports in 2020

Cover story: Why Emirati entrepreneur Mahmoud Bartawi is confident on the future of healthy dining

Mahmoud Bartawi sold his successful healthy food business Under500 to Kitopi. Now he is ready to launch his next venture called Mealzap

Expo 2020 Dubai’s F&B offerings: Presenting the world on a plate

From food theatre to autonomous delivery robots, Expo 2020 will deliver a table full of innovative culinary concepts and diverse flavours allowing visitors to taste the globe

Dubai ranks first in international tourist spending, unveils WTTC

Dubai increases capacity at hotels, restaurants and cinemas, eases timings for events

Restaurants, cafes, clubs and bars are also now permitted to operate at 80 per cent capacity

Abu Dhabi’s Agthia Group completes acquisition of Nabil Foods

The acquisition marks Agthia’s first entry into the processed protein industry

Dubai restaurant

Dubai closes 53 food outlets in Q1 2021 due to Covid-19 infractions

The municipality conducted 13,775 inspections during the first quarter of 2021, and issued warnings to 1,133 establishments

Saudi tech startup Foodics raises $20m in Series B funding

The funding will enable the startup to grow its share in existing markets, ramp up international expansion, as well as expand its fintech offering

Gitex 2020: F&B tech startup Opaala brings contactless food ordering to tech event

QR codes that initiate the Opaala digital menu are placed throughout the event

The future of online food ordering in the GCC

Online food ordering has effectively altered the dynamics of the F&B ecosystem

Saudi tech startup Foodics launches $100m fund for SMEs

Foodics partnered with Maalem Financing to launch the fund

CEO ATKINZ GROUP - Mojtaba Shekofteh

Gold and pearl toothpaste: Here’s how Atkinz Group is entering the UAE market

Retail group Atkinz is seeking grow its regional presence by creating unique luxury products reveals Mojtaba Shekofteh, the group’s founder and CEO

The Guild - ICD Brookfield Place[2] copy

New 15,000sqft dining destination to open at ICD Brookfield Place in Dubai’s DIFC

The new destination, called The Guild, will feature eight different home-grown brands and slated to open next year

Food data intelligence platform, NutriCal, launches in the UAE

Calorie count meter helps diners to make calculated decisions

Dubai Media City venue Q43 shuts down for good

Q43 was a popular haunt for those working in Media City and Internet City in Dubai

Dubai Chamber creates new restaurants business group to support the industry

Restaurants Business Group will support the restaurant sector as it emerges from Covid-19

Dubai online retailer Noon to launch a ‘fair’ food delivery platform

Alabbar says the F&B sector has been held ransom by food aggregator platforms

New contactless dining platform Opaala launches in Dubai

Opaala says it can enable venues cut down on operational costs by working with a skeleton crew

New ‘DUBAI ASSURED’ stamp to confirm health protocols at hotels, restaurants and tourist establishments

The stamp is issued free of charge and is valid for 15 days

Five minutes with…Eugenie Dronneau, founder and CEO, FoodKarma

The platform, which launched in March, aims to minimise food wastage

Dubai’s City Centre Deira to open renovated East Court amid Dhs377m redevelopment project

The redevelopment project is in response to a shift in consumer preferences for personalisation and engaging experiences

Spinneys introduces incubator for micro F&B suppliers in UAE

Via the incubator programme, micro F&B businesses will be given the opportunity to list their product at Spinneys for a year with no start-up fees

Dubai’s F&B outlets say they are losing over Dhs1bn on a monthly basis

The two most significant issues causing negative cashflow problems are rental obligations and employee liability issues, say operators