07. Walid Hajj, Executive Chairman, Cravia
Hajj has spearheaded the business of Dubai-based Cravia from its humble beginnings in 2001. Today, the restaurant company has a presence that extends to Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, as well as across the UAE. He is responsible for providing strategic direction for the company’s portfolio, which includes more than 60 restaurants and a team of more than 2,000 employees. There are six brands under the Cravia umbrella — Cinnabon, Seattle’s Best Coffee, Zaatar w Zeit, The Steak Bar, Carvel Ice Cream and the company’s most recent franchise acquisition, Five Guys Burgers and Fries.
The company has won Franchise Partner of the Year awards from Focus Brands, owners of Cinnabon and Seattle’s Best Coffee, three consecutive times. Cravia continues to grow organically as well as by adding new concepts and extending into new territories. In total there are 14 new outlets planned for 2016 as the company adds six Zaatar w Zeit branches, four Cinnabons and Seattle’s Best Coffee outlets, and four Five Guys restaurants. KSA will be the key focus, as Hajj plans to concentrate on expanding the Five Guys and Zaatar w Zeit concepts there.
Bite-sized facts:
Number of years in the F&B industry: 20
Number of years with this company: 14
Number of years in this role: 14
Number of years working in the Middle East: 20
Number of people you are responsible for: 2,000
Number of F&B outlets in the Middle East: 61
Nationality: Saudi Arabian
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