Foodics Launches “Forward Together” Initiative to Revitalise GCC, Egypt’s Restaurant Sector

Foodics is stepping in at a time when many restaurant owners across the region are feeling the squeeze. The Saudi-born restaurant operations and payments platform has launched a new initiative called “Forward Together”, aimed at helping food and beverage operators navigate what is, frankly, a pretty testing period.

Across the GCC and Egypt, rising supply chain costs and tighter margins have turned running a restaurant into something of a high-wire act. It’s not just about serving good food anymore; it’s about managing cash flow, cutting waste, and staying nimble. I’ve spoken to enough founders in the F&B space over the years to know that even small cost increases can cause a real headache. Sometimes it’s the difference between expansion plans and simply keeping the lights on.

Foodics says its relief package is built around three pillars: improving financial liquidity, driving revenue, and enabling smarter decision-making. In practical terms, that means flexible payment terms on subscriptions for both new and existing customers, intended to ease short-term financial pressure. Anyone who has ever had to juggle operational expenses will know that a bit of breathing room on payments can be spot on when cash is tight.

The company is also offering access to its Online Website and Self Ordering Kiosk products at no cost as part of the initiative, allowing restaurants to open up digital sales channels without extra upfront investment. On top of that, it is providing complimentary access to advanced AI tools designed to deliver predictive insights and support operational efficiency. The duration of these benefits is subject to the company’s terms and conditions.

Ahmad AlZaini, Co-founder and CEO of Foodics, has highlighted the broader importance of the sector, noting that the F&B industry employs over a million people across the region and acts as a backbone for many communities in the GCC and North Africa. In his view, helping operators sustain growth during difficult conditions is central to the company’s mission, and the initiative is a reflection of that commitment.

Belal Zahran, Foodics’ Chief Revenue Officer, pointed to the region’s long-term growth story. He noted that Egypt’s foodservice market alone is valued at around $11.83 billion and is seeing rising demand for technology-driven solutions. Across the GCC, the sector is currently estimated at close to $70 billion and is projected to surpass $121 billion by 2031. Egypt’s market is also expected to more than double over the same period. That’s not small change.

And believe it or not, this push towards digital tools is no longer a “nice to have”. It’s fast becoming essential. Operators are actively looking for ways to manage costs, optimise performance and unlock new revenue streams. I reckon the days of running a restaurant purely on instinct are long gone; data is king now, even if some old-school chefs aren’t huge fans.

Foodics itself has been on a steady growth trajectory since launching in 2014. The company has processed more than six billion orders through its platform and raised $170 million in a Series C round, marking one of the largest funding rounds for a SaaS firm in the MENA region. Through its fintech arm, Foodics Pay, it has secured a licence from the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), allowing it to offer regulated financial services tailored to restaurants and merchants.

For readers at Arageek who track the startup ecosystem closely, initiatives like this are a reminder that growth and resilience often go hand in hand. Supporting operators when the going gets tough might not be flashy, but it’s arguably more impactfull in the long run. On the flip side, of course, the real test will be how widely restaurants adopt these tools and whether they translate into healthier balance sheets.

Still, in a region where F&B remains a major employer and economic driver, a bit of collective momentum can go a long way. Forward Together may not solve every challenge overnight, well… I mean, nothing does, but it signals that tech players are prepared to roll up their sleeves and stand alongside the businesses they serve. And in today’s climate, that counts for quite a lot.

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