Foodics, the MENA region’s leading restaurant management and payment technology provider, marked a milestone with the debut of The F&B Circle, an exclusive industry forum held at Warehouse Four in Al Quoz. Partnering with the Fast Food & Cafe Convention (FFCC), the event, themed ‘The Control Room’, brought together F&B leaders to explore how data, technology, and leadership can drive scalable growth in the sector. The gathering also served as the official launchpad for Foodics BI, an AI-driven business intelligence platform designed to revolutionize restaurant decision-making.
A Convergence of F&B Innovators
The F&B Circle united founders, investors, and industry experts for high-level discussions on scaling brands, leveraging data, and overcoming operational challenges. Belal Zahran, Foodics International Managing Director (Egypt & UAE), opened the event, emphasizing its mission to foster collaboration: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing the UAE’s F&B landscape by connecting visionaries and equipping them with Foodics’ next-gen solutions.”
Insights from Industry Leaders
A panel moderated by Akhilesh Bahl (Founder & CEO, Malt & Salt Hospitality) featured Saleh Al Samadi (Al Samadi Group), Santosh D’Souza (Tigrus Restaurant Holding), and Karim Chaanine (PJP Investment Group), who dissected scaling hurdles—from staffing to maintaining brand integrity. Key takeaways included:
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Karim Chaanine: “Rapid expansion tests quality control—solve operational gaps to uphold customer trust.”
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Saleh Al Samadi: “High-traffic kiosks demand flawless execution; structure is non-negotiable.”
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Santosh D’Souza: “Consistency and passion are the bedrock of scalable brands.”
Introducing Foodics BI: Smarter Decisions, Powered by AI
George Henin, Head of Foodics BI, showcased the platform’s capabilities through a live demo. The tool offers:
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Real-time sales and inventory forecasting
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Interactive dashboards and natural language queries
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Automated alerts for operational inefficiencies
“Foodics BI turns complex data into intuitive insights—no technical expertise needed,” said Henin.
Fireside Chat: Building Brands from Scratch
Celebrity Chef Ali Yazdi (Aleez Hospitality) and Hayder Nashie (Dash Hospitality Group) shared candid lessons on entrepreneurship:
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Hayder Nashie: “Patience is pivotal—growth is a marathon.”
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Chef Ali Yazdi: “Be the best, not the first. Consistency outweighs shortcuts.”
Tech as a Catalyst for Growth
Karim Chaanine highlighted AI’s role in enhancing customer experiences: “At Papa Johns, AI personalizes digital interactions, proving that tech is the backbone of modern F&B.”
The Road Ahead
Foodics plans to expand The F&B Circle as a flagship industry platform while empowering restaurants with Foodics BI to optimize operations and fuel regional sector growth.
About Foodics
A pioneer in cloud-based restaurant technology, Foodics empowers F&B businesses with integrated POS, analytics, and payment solutions across the MENA region.
