With sustainability being the talk of the town in every sector in the UAE, experts suggest that the industry has only evolved with innovations and AI at the forefront. Among the various sectors, experts, including those in the hospitality industry, hope it continues on the same path, maintaining a steady course.
Ahmad Maharsi, Co-Founder & Business Director of Finisya Hospitality Solutions, shared, “The UAE’s hospitality industry is shifting towards locally grown innovative concepts, as many international chains are becoming outdated and less interesting for the new generations.”
Sustainability has become a key focus across industries, particularly in the UAE, where efforts to reduce waste and improve energy efficiency remain important. With AI transforming operations and making aspects like R&D, branding, menu engineering, and cost control more efficient and data-driven, developments are only scaling up.
However, as the industry evolves, budding entrepreneurs also often face challenges, making mistakes as they navigate the complexities of starting and managing a business.
Ahmad Maharsi, noted, “Many entrepreneurs still fall into common traps—trying to do it all instead of building or acquiring a strong team to support the pre-opening process. Poor financial planning, overpaying for leases, choosing the wrong location, not properly defining the target market, and hiring the wrong people also typically tops the list.”
Given the competitive nature of the UAE market, entrepreneurs face added pressure when setting up a new restaurant and supervising finances.
Ahmad believes that, “Ultimately, it’s a numbers game—those who plan well financially last longer, especially with rising setup and operational costs. The biggest risks come from unrealistic budgeting, weak break-even strategies, overleveraging with high debt or rental commitments, and not relying on proven expertise when making key decisions.”
Meanwhile, Omar Maharsi, Co-Founder & F&B Director of Finisya Hospitality Solutions, who has managed the opening of over 150 restaurants, offers insights into optimizing operational excellence in large-scale projects.
“Large-scale projects require structured execution, strong leadership, and financial discipline. We ensure success by building a capable leadership team to oversee different phases and maintain consistency, implementing strict SOPs for training, service, and operations to ensure efficiency,” he explained.
Effective cost management in large-scale projects is achieved through bulk procurement, careful budgeting, and diligent financial oversight. The execution is carried out in phases, with continuous audits to proactively identify and resolve challenges.
By ensuring the involvement of the right team, establishing clear processes, and maintaining disciplined execution, large-scale projects are delivered efficiently while maintaining high-quality standards.
When discussing the 2024 F&B trends, Omar highlighted, “Premium casual concepts dominated in 2024, bridging the gap between fine dining and fast casual. Guests sought high-quality food in a relaxed setting, paired with efficient service and a strong brand identity. Sustainability, ingredient transparency, and immersive dining experiences also played a major role.”
For 2025, Omar’s focus is on refining operations, balancing cost efficiency with premium offerings, and adapting to evolving consumer expectations while maintaining consistency and scalability.
With Dubai emerging as a global food tourism destination, both Omar and Ahmad recognize the key drivers of the sector.
Omar shares, “Dubai’s food tourism is driven by diversity, quality, and innovation. The city offers premium casual concepts, world-renowned chefs, and immersive dining experiences, making it a top culinary destination. Its mix of local authenticity and global influences, paired with high service standards and constant reinvention, keeps it at the forefront of global food tourism.”
The duo, shaping the UAE’s hospitality and F&B landscape, pride themselves on core values such as trust, transparency, resourcefulness, and quality—principles at the heart of everything they do.
“We redefine hospitality consulting by combining strategic expertise with hands-on execution, ensuring tailored solutions that deliver real results. Unlike traditional firms, we focus on market adaptability, financial optimization, and guest experience enhancement, helping clients achieve long-term success while maintaining the highest industry standards,” they said.
Sustainability is not only a trend but a growing necessity. While costs have risen due to investments in eco-friendly packaging, responsible sourcing, and energy-efficient operations, these costs are offset over time through reduced waste, improved efficiency, and stronger customer loyalty.
“While the initial investment is higher, sustainable practices lead to better cost management, stronger brand positioning, and long-term profitability,” say Omar and Ahmad, reaffirming their commitment to sustainability in their business strategies.
