Supported by precautionary measures, discounts campaigns and the return of residents
Restaurants are witnessing an improvement in the number of visitors .. and an increase in the "online" and "delivery" orders
Optimistic expectations that the business will continue to grow gradually in the first quarter of next year.
Photography: Eric Arazas
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Restaurant officials have confirmed that there has been a noticeable improvement in the restaurant sector recently, and an increase in the number of individuals and families visiting restaurants throughout the day, driven by discounts campaigns in commercial centers, reassurance of the strength of precautionary measures to prevent the "Covid-19" pandemic, and continuous inspection campaigns by the competent authorities, And the return of residents from abroad.
They pointed out to "Emirates Today" that there has been an increase of up to 25% in the number of visitors to restaurants, in the recent period, in addition to an increase in home delivery requests (delivery), and online demand, by a rate ranging between 20 and 40%, compared to the period of past months, when The emergence of the "Covid-19" pandemic.
Visitors to restaurants
In detail, Louay Ghandour, the managing director of “Cravia Restaurants Group,” confirmed that there has been an increase of up to 25% in the number of visitors to restaurants in the recent period, compared to the period of the emergence of the “Covid-19” pandemic, especially in restaurant branches in shopping centers.
He added that the activities launched by the economic departments, the return to school season, and the discounts campaigns, contributed to a significant increase in the number of shoppers, which in turn contributed to increasing the revenues of restaurants.
The managing director of the group, which is the parent company of the brands: "Cinnabon", "Seattle's Best Coffee", "Zaatar and Zeit", and "Five Guys", said that home delivery and online ordering services witnessed a remarkable increase of up to 30%. In the recent period, as individuals have become more experienced in online shopping using smart device applications, in addition to a large number of restaurants offering offers and discounts to stimulate online ordering.
Ghandour expected the number of visitors and tourists to double after the return of air traffic and the reopening of airports completely, especially with the continued return of residents and families to the country, in addition to the ongoing offers and discounts launched by commercial centers.
remarqable improvement
For his part, Mahmoud Harb, managing director and co-founder of "Yummy Junction Company", the owner of the "Malak Al Tawouk" restaurant chain in the UAE, said that the restaurant sector is witnessing a remarkable improvement in recent times, agreeing that there is an increase in the number of individuals and families visiting restaurants throughout the day. With a noticeable drop in demand after midnight, compared to the period of pandemic closures.
He added, "There is a tangible change in consumer behavior, as delivery services have increased by 30%, and online orders (online) by 20%."
Harb expects that business will continue to grow gradually in the first quarter of next year, and business will return to normal as they were before the pandemic.
He pointed out that the company is proceeding with its expansion plans as planned, as it intends to expand its business by opening other branches of the "Malak Al Tawouk" chain in key areas in Abu Dhabi.
Consumer confidence
As for the official in a fast food restaurant in a mall in Abu Dhabi, Alona George, she told «Emirates Today» that there is a noticeable return to demand for restaurants, especially fast food in commercial centers, by more than 40%, compared with the first period of the pandemic, and coinciding with the campaigns of discounts In shopping centers, and to be reassured of the strength of precautionary measures to prevent the "Covid-19" pandemic, and the continuous inspection campaigns by the competent authorities.
She pointed out that there is an increase in delivery orders of up to 40%, especially on weekends, as well as an increase in online orders by more than 30%, with expectations that the demand will return to normal before the pandemic within months, driven by the return of tourism, activities and events, and the continuation of Residents return from vacations.
And George called for reducing the rental values of restaurants in commercial centers, and granting facilities to tenants, so that this sector can return to its normal activity.
Online requests
The official in a well-known restaurant chain, Mohamed Hassan, confirmed that there is an increase in demand of more than 40% compared to the first period of the pandemic, especially with the return of residents from abroad, reassurance of the precautionary measures to prevent the pandemic, and the start of the return of tourism.
Hassan pointed to a tangible increase in delivery orders by more than 30%, especially during weekends.
He also indicated that there is an increasing interest, which appeared recently after the pandemic, in the form of online orders (online), which prompted the restaurant to conclude an agreement with a smart food delivery application, and said that the experiment was successful and was well received.
Remarkable activity
Josep Cipriani, the spokesperson for the Italian brand of "Cipriani" for restaurants and resorts, said that the restaurant "Cipriani" on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi has started to witness remarkable activity in the current period, expecting that the resumption of activities and events will contribute again to strengthening the activity of the restaurants sector, pointing to the demand for External requests receiving service.
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