Tom Arnel and Sergio Lopez, photographed exclusively for Caterer Middle East, at The Sum of Us in Dubai. Tom Arnel and Sergio Lopez, photographed exclusively for Caterer Middle East, at The Sum of Us in Dubai.

Setting up your own restaurant?

Opening your own restaurant is not easy. Sergio Lopez gives us the lowdown of how much it will set you back in the current market.

Space: 3000 square feet

Number of employees needed: 20

Salary range: Between AED 7000-11,000 each to start with

What’s the damage at the start?: AED 200,000 minimum on salary. Rent of approximately AED one million in four cheques, so AED 250,000 at the start. Then add fit-out and equipment costs. Lopez estimates a 3000 square feet restaurant will require at least AED two million in this market.

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The Tom & Serg Files

Where are these guys from? Tom Arnel is an Australian national, and a chef. Sergio Lopez is from Spain, and handles the operational side of the business.

Sounds good. Have they been here long? Arnel has been in the Middle East for six years; Lopez eight. But put together, they have nearly three decades of hospitality experience combined.

What’s with the name ‘Bull & Roo’? Spain has bulls. Australia has kangaroos. Go figure.