Restaurant technology platform Foodics has launched a new support initiative aimed at helping food and beverage operators across the Middle East and North Africa navigate mounting financial and operational pressures, as restaurants continue to face tighter margins and rising supply chain costs across the region.
The initiative, called “Forward Together” (قدّها مع بعض), is designed to provide restaurant operators with a mix of financial relief, digital tools, and AI-powered analytics as businesses adapt to rapidly changing market conditions.
Founded in Saudi Arabia, Foodics has grown into one of the region’s largest restaurant operations and financial management platforms, serving restaurants, cafés, and food service operators across GCC and North African markets. The company’s latest move comes at a time when many operators are dealing with elevated operational costs, uncertain consumer spending patterns, and increasing pressure to digitize restaurant operations without significantly increasing expenses.
Supporting Restaurants Through Economic Challenges
Under the “Forward Together” initiative, Foodics said it will offer flexible payment terms for both new and renewing subscriptions across its operating markets. The company stated that the goal is to ease short-term financial pressure on restaurant businesses that may be struggling with cash flow management amid broader economic uncertainty.
In addition to payment flexibility, the company is also opening access to several of its digital ordering products, including Foodics Online and Self Ordering Kiosk solutions, at no additional cost for eligible operators. Foodics said the tools are intended to help restaurants build additional revenue channels and increase direct digital ordering capabilities without requiring large upfront investments.
AI and Digital Tools at the Center of the Initiative
The initiative also places a significant focus on artificial intelligence and data-driven operations. Foodics confirmed it will provide complimentary access to advanced AI-powered analytics tools designed to help restaurant operators improve operational efficiency and make more informed business decisions using predictive insights and performance analysis.
Ahmad AlZaini, co-founder and CEO of Foodics, framed the initiative as a response to growing pressure on the regional F&B sector.
He added: “The F&B industry employs over a million in our region and is considered one of the private sector drivers across GCC and North African markets. This is the backbone of these communities. Today, operators happen to be navigating difficult conditions. At Foodics, we exist to help restaurants sustain growth. That mission is what drove us to build Forward Together. If we can play a role in keeping more doors open, then this is exactly where we need to show up.”
Regional Expansion and Market Growth
Foodics executives also highlighted the long-term growth outlook for the regional foodservice industry despite current challenges. The GCC foodservice sector is currently valued at nearly $70 billion and is projected to surpass $121 billion by 2031. Meanwhile, Egypt’s foodservice market is estimated at approximately $11.83 billion and is expected to more than double over the same period.
The company said the initiative will roll out across several markets, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and Kuwait. Some regional reports also noted that Foodics plans to introduce discounted and tailored packages for new restaurant operators entering the platform, particularly in the UAE market, where competition among restaurants and cafés remains intense.
The broader regional restaurant industry has increasingly turned toward cloud-based restaurant management systems, digital ordering infrastructure, and AI-assisted analytics as operators attempt to manage labor costs, optimize inventory, and improve customer retention. The pandemic accelerated digital transformation across the hospitality sector, but many smaller operators continue to face difficulties balancing technology investments with rising operating expenses.
The initiative also reflects Foodics’ broader effort to strengthen long-term relationships with restaurant operators while expanding technology adoption across the sector. By reducing barriers to digital transformation, the company may strengthen long-term customer retention while also helping restaurants modernize operations during a period of economic pressure. The company may strengthen long-term customer retention while also helping restaurants modernize operations during a period of economic pressure.
Operational efficiency and data visibility are becoming increasingly important differentiators for restaurant businesses across the GCC, particularly as delivery competition intensifies and customer expectations around convenience continue to evolve.
The broader shift also highlights the growing role AI tools are beginning to play within hospitality and restaurant management. Predictive analytics platforms are becoming more common across the industry as operators seek better visibility into customer behavior, inventory trends, staffing requirements, and sales forecasting.
