Palma Hospitality to franchise Damasca restaurant

Doha-based Palma Hospitality Group is considering developing its 500-cover Souq Waqif restaurant, Damasca, into a franchised brand.

Palma Hospitality Group executive manager Charbel Mhanna said in a statement: “We are hoping to develop this brand and put it into franchising in the near future, within the country and abroad.”

The restaurant aims to reflect the culture from all parts of Syria – for example, the waiters are dressed in traditional Syrian clothing, accompanied by music from the region. “From the moment the food is served and until you leave you will feel the streets of Syria, the service and the authentic food,” said Mhanna.

He explained there was a market demand for the outlet, and pointed to online reviews and websites such as TripAdvisor that showed the popularity of the restaurant, where 79% of reviewers recommended the outlet.

Palma Hospitality managing director Mohammed Moutaz Khayyat explained: “We don’t want to serve what is common, and so the entrance is full with activities from the rural streets of Syria. We want the brand that we develop to be different - this is one of the main targets of Palma.”