Al Safadi celebrates 25 years in UAE with new concepts, central unit and expansion drive
Oventine and Table 25 expand the brand’s presence across the Emirates
DUBAI – Al Safadi has marked its 25th anniversary in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with the formal launch of Al Safadi Hospitality, a unified structure that brings together its expanding portfolio of restaurants, catering services and new quick service concepts.
The announcement represents a defining shift for the homegrown brand, which began as a small family restaurant in 2000 and has since evolved into one of the country’s most recognised names in Lebanese dining. The new umbrella organisation strengthens the group’s ability to expand, build new concepts and introduce future retail products, while preserving the ownership, leadership and values that have shaped its identity for a quarter of a century.
The milestone highlights both heritage and ambition. Over the years, Al Safadi has welcomed millions of diners and become part of the everyday dining landscape for UAE residents, serving traditional dishes rooted in family recipes. This includes its Muhammara, prepared using the same formula since the brand’s earliest days, and an annual average of 57 tonnes of hummus that continues to be served across its branches. Today, the group is powered by a multinational team of more than 18 nationalities, including long-serving staff members who have been with the family for nearly three decades. This commitment to people forms the core of the group’s future direction.
Al Safadi Hospitality
The establishment of Al Safadi Hospitality now formalises the evolution that has taken place across the brand’s operations. The new corporate umbrella brings Al Safadi Restaurant, the quick service concept Oventine, Table 25 catering services, Al Safadi Food Production and all future ventures under one aligned structure. The aim is to ensure quality, consistency and long-term planning while supporting the brand’s vision for expansion across the UAE.
A central element of this transition is Al Safadi Food Production, a purpose-built Central Production Unit (CPU) designed to support the group’s growing operations. The 5,000 square metre facility is located in Dubai Production City and is equipped with advanced European kitchen technology alongside hygienic preparation areas. Designed to support the entire workflow from receiving to dispatch, the CPU is capable of producing up to 45,000 meals daily. This scale provides the backbone for the group’s restaurant offerings, its catering services and the expansion of new concepts planned in the coming years.
The facility is currently progressing through HACCP and FSSC certification and has also been nominated for the MEP Middle East Awards 2025. It features a Demand Control Ventilation system for improved energy efficiency and is fully integrated with Empower District Cooling, ensuring alignment with broader sustainability goals.
Future retail plans
The new production hub supports Al Safadi’s future retail plans. Between 2026 and 2027, the group will introduce a line of retail products including sauces, spices and ready-to-cook items. Alongside this, new restaurant branches are scheduled to open across Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi within the same period.
Table 25, the group’s dedicated catering and events arm, continues to expand its offering. Originally part of Al Safadi’s in-house catering division, it now operates as a premium standalone brand for private and corporate occasions. Table 25 provides custom menus, live cooking stations, buffet setups and international cuisine options, extending the group’s culinary reach beyond its dine-in restaurants.
Oventine, launched in 2024 with its first branch in Business Bay, represents the group’s entry into the quick service sector. The concept focuses on oven-led Levantine flavours including manakish, wraps and flatbreads designed for a modern generation of diners. With a defined roadmap for growth, Oventine will open additional branches across Dubai between 2025 and 2026.
The scale of Al Safadi’s operations is reflected in its figures for 2024. More than 2.2 million skewers were used across its branches during the year, a number that would stretch beyond the distance from Dubai to Abu Dhabi if placed end to end. The group also continues to play a significant role in community dining, serving 2,273 diners across six branches during Ramadan 2024. Its catering arm has handled events hosting more than 1,200 attendees, underscoring its capability to deliver large-scale culinary services.
25 years in UAE
To mark the 25-year milestone and the official launch of Al Safadi Hospitality, the group hosted a private gathering at its new headquarters and Central Production Unit in Dubai Production City. The event brought together members of the Safadi family, long-serving employees and key partners for an immersive introduction to the new concepts and the future direction of the brand. Guests were taken on a virtual tour of the CPU and explored the group’s upcoming projects.
Hosted by TV presenter and podcaster Mohammed Kais, the evening reflected the community-focused ethos that has shaped Al Safadi since its inception. Short documentary films showcased the brand’s heritage, followed by a musical performance from pianist and composer Guy Manoukian.
During the event, Founder and CEO Fadi Al Safadi spoke about the significance of the milestone and the journey that led to the formation of Al Safadi Hospitality. He highlighted the role of the group’s team members and loyal guests in shaping a brand built on trust and consistency. He added that the unified structure will guide the next era of growth as the group scales its operations, expands with care and remains connected to its roots.