09. Yunib Siddiqui

British

Group chief executive officer and owner of Jones the Grocer

Last year was a big year for Yunib Siddiqui who first engaged Jones the Grocer as a franchisee for the UAE in mid-2008 and opened the first location of the brand in Abu Dhabi in 2009.

In 2016, Yunib Siddiqui acquired the global brand rights to Jones the Grocer and has since opened five new UAE franchised locations and three new international franchised locations. Siddiqui purchased the global IP rights for the brand which today includes 25 operational stores in seven countries.

This year has seen the brand expand in the region with several additional locations in the pipeline. In 2018, the brand’s footprint in the UAE will increase by three outlets including locations in Ajman and Al Ain. Jones the Grocer will also make its Chinese debut with an opening in Shanghai.

Siddiqui has been a successful entrepreneur for half of his life, sourcing and distributing handmade products to retail giants like Liberty, Debenhams, Harrods and Galleries Lafayette.

NUMBERS GAME...

Number of years working in the F&B industry: 09

Staff: 210

Operational outlets: 25

Coming soon: Three new Jones The Grocer locations in the UAE and a move into the Chinese market with an opening in Shanghai.

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