US seafood joint Slapfish opens first GCC outlet

US seafood brand Slapfish has set up its first Middle East outlet in Dubai at Ibn Battuta Mall, franchised by Magnolia Restaurant Management.

Slapfish is working with the local franchise firm to grow the brand in the Middle East to 20 restaurants over the next five years.

It is a fast casual sustainable seafood concept, with the idea of "boat to plate" dining and aims to serve fresh fish and shellfish sourced from well-managed, responsible suppliers of sustainable seafood.

This is the fifth brand in the Dubai-based firm's portfolio, adding to Flippin Pizza, Lemonade, Chickenow and Beards Papa’s.

Slapfish, initially a food truck, was conceived by chefs Andrew Gruel and Jethro Naude who opened the first Slapfish restaurant in Huntington Beach CA. The duo most recently opened a second branch in Laguna Beach.