Standalone outlets nab third of Dubai market share

A panel of industry hotel F&B experts explained how new international restaurant brands are taking a third of their market share at Caterer Middle East’s Chefs and Ingredients Forum.

Held at the Mina A’Salam, Stefan Breg, founder, Tribe Restaurant Creators, said that standalone restaurants are now holding 33% of the market share in Dubai.

“Branded restaurants not associated with hotels – these new brands that have arrived and evolved – are eating into business to around AED 400 million (US $109), Breg explained.

“These are good international names, and are new brands in the market that have quickly taken a large amount of the market share,” he added.

Paul Hage, executive chef, Habtoor Grand Beach Resort & Spa said: “We have to keep being on the same level as the new brands coming in – if not, we will close. It depends on how much you spend on your hotel concepts, how much you invest, and how much return you can get on that investment.”

Robin Gomes, group executive chef, CityMax Hotels, and Naruemol Poolkuan, head chef – Benjarong, Dusit Thani Dubai, were also on the panel and agreed that hotel concepts must step up meet the new international concepts arriving.