UAE Food Service Market

UAE Food Service Market Size (2024 to 2029)

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Food Service market size is estimated to be worth USD 18.78 billion in 2024 and is anticipated to reach USD 44.58 billion by 2029, with a CAGR of 18.24% during the forecast period.  

Current Scenario of the UAE Food Service Market 

The UAE food service market accounted for a prominent growth rate in the past years and is projected to have notable growth during the forecast period. The UAE food services play an essential role in meeting the culinary demands of the population and the tourists. The services provide a wide range of cuisines, traditional Emirati dishes, and international flavors, reflecting the UAE's multicultural nature. The rising disposable incomes of the people, enlarging tourist sector, and growing population are primary factors driving the market growth from the past years. According to global media insights, the population of the United Arab Emirates will be 10.24 million by 2024, which is a 0.68% increase from 2023. The availability of premium dining services to affordable, quick-service restaurants in the region attracts customers, accelerating the growth opportunities for the UAE food services market in the coming years.  

MARKET DRIVERS  

The changing lifestyles of the UAE residents are increasing people's reliance on food services, contributing to the regional market growth.

The increasing adoption of sedentary lifestyles is enhancing their ability to choose convenient and time-saving food options, positively impacting the growth of the UAE foodservice market. The growing tourism industry in the region is escalating the growth of the UAE foodservice market. The increasing efforts of the UAE government to attract tourists are significantly boosting the food service market as most tourists seek specialized and quality dining services, boosting the market revenue across the region. The rapid urbanization in the UAE region is escalating the establishment of commercial dining places, fueling the market growth opportunities. The rising online food delivery platforms are accelerating the growth of the UAE food service market. Dubai and Abu Dhabi fast food comprise around 36 percent and 35 percent of the food service market, respectively. Dubai's higher cost of living than other cities influences residents' dining preferences, directing them towards more affordable dining options like fast food. In Abu Dhabi, the rapidly expanding industrial areas in the city, such as Musaffah, have propelled higher demand for the segment as its quick service model caters to the needs of busy workers seeking convenient meals during their work breaks. 

The high penetration of the Internet of Things, technology-driven applications across the region, and increasing usage of smartphones are enhancing the introduction of various online food delivery platforms, expanding the market growth opportunities during the forecast period. Digitalization helps market players reach a broader customer base, creating growth opportunities for market expansion. Sustainability is becoming a critical factor in the UAE region, and eco-friendly practices are being initiated to reduce food wastage. Most market players adopt these practices to attract customers and maintain eco-friendly packaging, accelerating market growth opportunities. The increasing number of cloud kitchens across the region do not have any physical stores but deliver the food. These cloud and ghost kitchens are expected to propel the UAE food services market in the coming years.  

MARKET RESTRAINTS

The high costs associated with establishing food services and their maintenance in the UAE region are expected to hamper the market growth, especially for low and middle-income organizations.

The high costs of rent, labor, and raw materials price fluctuations limit the market growth in the region. The high reliance on the imports of food products due to the availability of limited resources in the UAE region is hindering the market growth rate due to disruptions in the supply chain, which will negatively impact the UAE food services market expansion. Labor shortages for food delivery due to limited scope and the minimal pay scale are expected to limit the market growth. The high competition among the market players in the UAE region due to the presence of various well-established food services across the region is estimated to be challenging for the market players to survive the competition.   

Stringent government regulations regarding organization approvals and establishments are expected to challenge the market players. The UAE region experiences seasonal fluctuations due to high water scarcity, which will affect the quality of food products. Fluctuations in raw material prices also challenge market growth. 

This Research Report on UAE Food Service Market is segmented and sub segmented into following categories

UAE Food Service Market Analysis By Type 

• Full-service Restaurants  

• Quick Service Restaurants (QSR) 

• Institutes  

• Others  

The quick-service restaurant segment held the most significant portion of the UAE food service market size. The increasing popularity of fast foods among the people due to accelerating tourism across the region is majorly contributing to the segment growth. As the QSR consists of a limited menu specializing in selective main entrees such as burgers, pizza, and chicken, which are popular among tourists, it boosts the segment's growth. The availability of premium food at competitive prices escalates the demand for quick-service restaurant food service across the region. The growing number of virtual and ghost kitchens gaining traction in the recent period fuels the segment growth.  

The full-service restaurant segment is expected to grow considerably during the forecast period. Fine dining and casual dining restaurants are the major contributors to the segment growth. Full-service restaurants consist of various dining restaurants with table service and a full meal menu, as they offer food in multiple selection types like breakfast, lunch, and dinner, which will drive the segment in the coming years.  

UAE Food Service Market Analysis By Service 

• Commercial  

• Institutional  

The commercial segment held the largest share of the UAE food service market revenue and is expected to maintain its domination during the forecast period. Commercial food service establishments include fast-food and full-service restaurants, catering pubs, and cafes, where the primary motive is to provide food and earn profit. This drives the segment's growth in the coming years. Commercial food service involves the preparation of diverse cuisines, customer service, and compliance with health and safety regulations to provide a satisfying dining experience for customers.  

The institutional segment is projected to have notable growth during the forecast period as institutional food services involve the cost-effective oversight of food selection, preparation, and presentation for large groups. These services include hospitals, educational institutions, corporate staff cafeterias, airports, and others.  

KEY MARKET PLAYERS

Americana Restaurants International Inc, Apparel Group, LuLu Group International, M.H.Alshaya Co. WLL, The Emirates Group, Alamar Foods Company, Al Khaja Group of Companies,Galadari Ice Cream, Co. LLC, CKE Restaurants Holdings Inc, Emirates Fast Food Company.

RECENT HAPPENINGS IN THE MARKET

• In February 2023, Foodlink Global Restaurants and Catering LLC announced the launch of a new gourmet cloud kitchen brand, Art of Dum, in Dubai. This is the 5th branch of the kitchen in Dubai, which focuses on a 100% sustainable delivery concept.  

• In January 2022, Dubai's one of the leading cloud kitchen companies, Kitopi, introduced its two latest market launches in Bahrain and Qatar. With the newly launched kitchens, Kitopi now serves around five regional markets.    

• In December 2022, Americana Restaurants re-launched Wimpy, a burger brand, in the UAE market. Wimpy's new location is expected to use the innovative robotic solution as part of the restaurant's vision to become the Middle East's first tech burger brand. Flippy 2 is a robotics solution that can automate various restaurant cooking tasks while assisting with consistency and accuracy at the fry station.  

• In August 2022, Americana Restaurants International Plc declared that it had entered the GCC market with a franchise agreement with Peet's Coffee, a craft coffee company based in the United States.  

• In June 2022, Americana Restaurants, the master franchisee in the Middle East and African region for KFC, Pizza Hut, Hardee's, Krispy Kreme, and more, announced its partnership with Miso Robotics. This US-based company has transformed the restaurant industry through robotics and intelligent automation.