F&B providers told to go beyond 'predictable mix'

Managing director of F&B concept specialists and retail food planners Future Food, Francis Loughran.

Consumers are looking for something different and a local concept in their dining options, according to the company behind the F&B master planning of Dubai Mall.

Managing director of F&B concept specialists and retail food planners Future Food, Francis Loughran said there had been an explosion of international presence within the market and "local segments are becoming parochial".

Seeking a point of difference and a sense of ownership through locally developed concepts this is where the market is heading from purely big brand international franchises to something more diverse and localised,” Loughran told Caterer Middle East.

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“Owners are realising the long term sustainability of business is not just about the latest imported concepts. Customisation to the local context is vital and continual refinement is important to remain relevant and competitive.”

Certainly the belief that “people don’t want more of the same” is what Loughran believes the region should take on board.

“Food and beverage offering must think about how it can offer something different so that malls offer food courts and restaurant precincts must strive to move beyond the predictable mix. They must break down the barriers of having what everyone else has and what people are familiar with,” he said..

“You can give people 70% of what they want and give them 30% of something new and different. And within that 30% not only new brands but new concepts, tapas, north African food, Asian, dumpling bars that are coming out now, mozzarella bars, pasta bars, wine bars — lots of different specialisation concepts that in themselves can be wrapped around a popular mix, but still give you a point of difference. It is important to give them what they want and something different.”

For the full interview with Loughran see Caterer Middle East’s March edition.