United Arab Emirates Foodservice Market - Growth, Trends, and Forecasts (2023 - 2028)

United Arab Emirates Foodservice Market - Growth, Trends, and Forecasts (2023 - 2028)

The United Arab Emirates Foodservice Market is forecasted to register a CAGR of 7.02 % over the next five years.

High disposable income, rising tourist arrivals, increasing urban lifestyles, and evolving consumer preferences have propelled the growth of the foodservice market in the country. The lack of recreational opportunities in the country is creating a growth opportunity in the foodservice sector, as Emiratis are increasingly visiting foodservice channels to spend time with family. Growing trends in the market, such as food trucks and food stalls, with the availability of various international cuisines, are also rendering a new experience for customers, thus boosting their spending on food away from home.

Furthermore, with a high inflow of tourists and the presence of globally renowned food and beverage brands, the country is at the forefront of the foodservice industry in the Middle East. According to the latest data released by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) at the ongoing Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai, the first quarter of international visitation reflected the best Q1 performance of 2022 since the global pandemic. This helped in creating a clear pathway for the city to progress toward its coveted goal of becoming the world’s most visited destination. March 2022 was a particularly exceptional month for post-pandemic tourism, as the city welcomed 1.78 million international visitors, an 11% increase over pre-pandemic visitation.

According to an independent survey of respondents performed in 2021, 88% of the UAE respondents were willing to try new cuisines and concepts. As a result, several multi-cuisine restaurants have sprouted across Emirates, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah. According to the food importer and distributor "Truebell," the demand for Asian cuisines has continued to grow in the United Arab Emirates, with cuisines, like Chinese, Japanese, and Thai being among the consistently favorite ones for consumers in the country.

According to the UAE Government Portal, approximately 200 nationalities worked and resided with their families in the United Arab Emirates in the current year. According to the International Migrant Stock published by the Population Division of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), the largest ethnic group in the United Arab Emirates is Indian expatriates, approximately 3.5 million people, accounting for roughly 30% of the population of the nation. About 15% of the diaspora resides in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with the remainder dispersed among the six Northern Emirates, including Dubai. Although the majority of the Indian residents are employed, 10% of the Indian population is made up of dependent family members. The most represented Indian state is Kerala, followed by Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. However, when combined, Indians from the Northern States make up a sizeable share of the Indian community in the United Arab Emirates.

The Middle Eastern country has also been witnessing an increase in demand for Chinese cuisine, shifting toward bowl-based dishes, including rice and noodle bowls with added meats and seafood. Hence, traditional Chinese cuisines and cooking traditions are emerging as significant cuisine types. Due to the United Arab Emirates rising importance as a tourist destination, multinational foodservice chains and local operators are searching for ways to develop and expand their presence across the country.

The United Arab Emirates is experiencing a growing luxurious, refined dining culture as tourists are highly interested in experiencing the luxurious dine-in culture. In addition, tourism guides in the country also promote the fine dining experience in their tourism packages, boosting the demand for full-service restaurants.

The full-service restaurants offer several delicacies and maintain the decorum and standardization of the specific establishments. In the United Arab Emirates, the full-service restaurant segment is highly fragmented, owing to the presence of a great number of small and major players. Furthermore, the rising disposable income of the ex-pat population and the growing influence of western culture among the locals have increased the demand for ethnic food in the country. Thus, people are inclined toward dining in ethnic restaurants to experience ambiance and food.

The United Arab Emirates foodservice market is highly fragmented, which comprises a large number of regional and international players, such as Yum Brands and McDonald's, among other local players. Some US-based fast-food chains continue to dominate the fast-food restaurant sector in the country, with the presence of major food chains, such as KFC, McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Burger King, Hardee's, and Domino's Pizza. Additionally, there is stiff competition among the foodservice providers based on pricing, quality of foodservice, calorie intake per meal, and healthier menu options. International restaurants, such as McDonald's, Starbucks Corporation, and Subway, have been continuously expanding through franchises or joint ventures with local foodservice companies. Product innovation, expansion, mergers/acquisitions, and partnerships are key strategies adopted by the key players in the market studied.

• The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format
• 3 months of analyst support