QSR Media Middle East Conference & Awards 2025 kicks off in Dubai
Various brand leaders from the QSR industry in the region are in attendance.
The first-ever QSR Media Middle East Conference & Awards 2025 is taking place today, 9 September, at the Taj Dubai, gathering the region’s quick-service and fast-casual leaders for a full-day programme of insights, discussions, and networking.
The event opened with an economist’s outlook on the GCC market, with Daniel Marc Richards, Senior Economist at Emirates NBD, providing the latest data on consumer demand, labour dynamics, and discretionary spending.
Brand-focused sessions followed, including Wingstop’s international growth journey presented by Alan Honan and Trison’s Ignacio Alonso exploring operational and customer experience strategies.
A highlight of the morning was the Leaders Panel, featuring executives from major brands: Steve Flawith of Yolk Brands, Oualid Marghin of Wendy’s, Keaton Myburgh of Gong cha, Abdulrahman Alkuwari of Alamar Foods (Domino’s), and Joseph Chartouni of Al Sayer Franchising (Caribou Coffee and Five Guys). The panel addressed expansion strategies, innovation, and how regional operators are navigating a changing market.
The afternoon sessions feature a mix of data-driven presentations and brand case studies, including GlobalData’s Mark Dempsey on the dynamics of the UAE and wider Middle East QSR market, Kudu CEO Murat Ungun on the evolution of a homegrown brand, and a Marketing Panel with leaders from Costa Coffee, Popeyes, KFC, Alshaya Group, and Galadari F&B.
Technology and future-focused topics round out the agenda, with David Sweeney of Dodo Brands sharing how technology underpins the group’s global franchise model, Simon-Kucher’s Lovrenc Kessler on AI in QSR pricing, and Amr Gawish of Galadari F&B discussing how legacy brands can strategically renew to stay competitive.
The conference also marks the launch of the QSR Media Middle East Awards, recognising achievements in service, technology, sustainability, marketing, and leadership.
