05. Mert Askin

Turkish

President of F&B, Azadea Group

Prior to joining Azadea in 2014, Mert Askin gained extensive operational experience leading the casual all-day dining chain of the d.ream group, one of the world’s fastest growing restaurant groups with more than 170 outlets, including Kitchenette, Gunaydin, Nusr-et and Zuma.

Azadea’s F&B brands have more than 12 million visits annually and the company has 120 outlets across eight countries in the Middle East and North Africa. Under Askin, Azadea owns and operates eight F&B brands, including Paul Bakery and Restaurant, Eataly, The Butcher Shop & Grill and Kösebasi.

Azadea Group is among the largest operators of Eataly, with four stores currently in operation and a further two in the pipeline.  Two stores in the UAE — Dubai Mall and Dubai Festival City, one in Riyadh, KSA with two further stores in another Middle East location. The group also owns and operates Paul Bakery and Restaurant which is currently among the largest all day casual dining operators in the Middle East region.

NUMBERS GAME...

Number of years in the F&B industry: 10

How many brands currently operating?: 08

Staff: 3000

Upcoming projects in 2018:  New Shanghai, in Dubai Mall in March 2018, two Eataly outlets in the pipeline

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