AGP Executive Report

QSR Expansion: Taco Bell is returning to the UAE after a 14-year absence, with Americana Restaurants signing an exclusive development deal to launch first in Dubai and then expand across the GCC. Restaurant Tech: Saudi full-service operators get a boost as Foodics unveils Foodics Black at LEAP, an all-in-one reservations-to-payments platform built for seat-level ordering and ZATCA e-invoicing compliance. Food Safety Capacity: Cotecna’s Geo-Chem India formally inaugurates a new state-of-the-art Food Safety Laboratory in Mumbai to support testing and inspection for food businesses, exporters and regulators. Tourism & Dining Venues: Oman’s Madinat Al Irfan pushes ahead with Business Park Phase Three, adding office buildings designed around a landscaped “Oasis” courtyard plus ground-floor retail and F&B outlets. Family Leisure & Food: Al Ain Zoo reopens Sept 5 with “Glow After Dark,” expanding dining options from international cuisine to quick meals and Arabic, Mexican and Indian choices. Industry Events: Seafood Expo Asia opens in Singapore, adding new country pavilions including Bahrain and Maldives as seafood suppliers chase Asia’s supply-chain partnerships.

UAE Business Reset: The UAE is gearing up for a “September reset” as schools reopen and tourism picks up, with firms leaning into “business as usual” despite lingering Iran-war uncertainty. Saudi Hospitality & Aviation: Universal Aviation has started operations at Dammam’s new General Aviation Terminal/FBO, a first dedicated facility in the Kingdom, supporting Vision 2030 growth for business aviation. Lebanon/Israel Media Infrastructure: Israel’s Jerusalem Press Club CEO says a new Tel Aviv Israel Press Club will open Oct. 27 ahead of elections, adding election-night press support for foreign correspondents. Foodservice Expansion: Bonchon has been acquired by Minor Food and Serruya Private Equity, aiming to accelerate growth across the Americas. Middle East Dining Spotlight: Berenjak is set to open in Chicago (Soho House) with a Persian-inspired kabab menu and a dedicated beverage program. Manufacturing Signals: ISM reports US manufacturing PMI at 54.6 in August, with Food, Beverage & Tobacco among expanding sectors—useful context for regional supply planning.

Gulfood Manufacturing 2026: The UAE food and beverage sector is pushing harder on local production and manufacturing innovation, with Gulfood Manufacturing returning to Dubai World Trade Centre from Nov 3–5 under a food-security theme. Food Security & Industry Push: The UAE targets higher GDP contribution from food and beverage, more food trade, and import substitution via up to 200 factories—aiming to lift capacity and jobs. Regulatory Sweetener Breakthrough: Amai Proteins says Israel has cleared its precision-fermented sweet protein “sweelin” for use across 25+ food and beverage categories, following earlier US and Singapore milestones. Inflation Watch (Istanbul): Istanbul’s monthly consumer prices rose 1.66% in August; food and non-alcoholic beverages climbed 1.3%, while restaurant and hotel prices increased 1.54%. Dates Trade Tension: Egyptian frozen, pitted dates are squeezing Israeli growers, with imports classified as industrial goods limiting government intervention. Restaurant Pricing Pressure (Iran): Tehran eateries are dropping iconic dishes as food prices and electricity outages strain menus and portions. Travel Retail Snack Launch: Pringles is rolling out “Nachos” sharing crisps in Original, Cheese and Paprika for travel retail in Asia and the Middle East, with wider Europe planned next spring.

Saudi Hospitality & Dining: Rosewood AMAALA opens on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast with 8 restaurants, wellness at Asaya, and plant-forward “conscious dining” plus reef-protecting eco features. Hotel Concepts (Saudi): IHG debuts its Noted Collection in Riyadh (Cantonal Hotel Riyadh), a conversion opening by end-2026 with dining, café, rooftop lounge and indoor pool. Luxury With a Food Angle (UAE): Atlantis Dubai touts new sustainability accreditations, while Palazzo Versace Dubai pushes a winter F&B package (breakfast, afternoon tea, and food savings). Wellness Resorts (UAE): Six Senses sets its Q4 UAE debut on Palm Jumeirah with a boutique, restoration-led concept and longevity-focused facilities. Hospitality Strategy: Retaj Hotels CEO Medhat Nouby says the next Middle East hospitality chapter is about destination-led experiences, tech-enabled journeys, and family-friendly stays. Food Trade (KSA): Pakistan’s fruit industry urges Saudi export expansion after the “Makkah Pact,” citing tariffs, weak B2B links, and certification recognition gaps. Sustainability & Travel: Atlantis Dubai’s resource and emissions cuts are highlighted as part of responsible hospitality positioning.

QSR Expansion: Americana Restaurants has signed an exclusive development deal to bring Taco Bell back to the UAE, with a phased rollout planned across additional GCC markets; the company didn’t name locations or an opening date, but frames the move as a push into the Mexican-inspired fast-food segment alongside its existing KFC and Pizza Hut footprint. Food Security & Supply: Iran says it has reached chicken self-sufficiency for the first time, producing over 2 million tonnes of white meat annually versus about 1.6 million tonnes of domestic consumption—an important win for household animal-protein costs amid war, sanctions pressure and drought. Regulation & Public Health: India’s FSSAI front-of-pack warning labels for processed foods are moving forward, but critics say the “two of three” sugar/fat/salt threshold and exemptions for single-ingredient high-fat/high-salt items could leave much of the market uncovered. Pricing Pressure: Japan expects price hikes on 4,923 food and beverage items in September, driven by higher Middle East-linked crude/oil costs, a weaker yen, and logistics—seasonings are the biggest hit. Industry Growth: Blue Tokai is reportedly lining up a major funding round (Rs 1,000–1,200 crore) with Temasek and ChrysCapital competing, as the coffee chain scales outlets and expands beyond cafés.

GCC Inflation Watch: Kamco Invest says GCC inflation stayed broadly subdued in June and July despite oil and gas swings tied to the US-Iran conflict, with food and non-alcoholic beverages a key driver (Kuwait +2.2% y/y in June; Oman +3.2% y/y in July; Dubai CPI +5.3% y/y in July). QSR Expansion: Taco Bell is set to return to the UAE after 14 years via Americana Restaurants, with a first UAE outlet planned and phased growth across GCC markets. Payments & Trade Reconnect: Visa and Mastercard have started international card transactions in Syria after the US removed Syria from its terrorism sponsor list; the first live tests were made in Damascus, signaling gradual re-entry into global payments. Food Policy Pressure (UK): Scotland’s planned supermarket basics price cap faces pushback from food and drink industry bodies representing 300,000+ workers, warning it could raise costs for households. Hospitality & Lifestyle: Holiday Inn Saudi Arabia launches Elite Gaming Pods in four hotels (Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar) to tap the Kingdom’s growing esports audience. Syrian Business Signals: The 63rd Damascus International Fair opened to the public, with trade and investment MoUs including Syria-Iraq commerce and Saudi-linked industrial rehabilitation.

QSR Expansion: Taco Bell is returning to the UAE after 14 years via a new exclusive development deal with Americana Restaurants, with plans to scale across the UAE and other GCC markets (first UAE site/date not yet shared). Economic Re-connection: Syria’s Damascus International Fair is back with dozens of countries attending, including new trade MoUs such as Syria-Iraq business cooperation, as Damascus pushes to rejoin global finance. Cost Pressure Watch: GCC inflation stayed broadly subdued in July, but analysts warn the US-Iran conflict could still lift food prices through fertiliser disruptions. Hospitality & Lifestyle: Dubai’s hotel scene is bracing for a winter recovery after earlier disruptions, while Saudi Holiday Inn is rolling out Elite Gaming Pods in four hotels with esports tie-ins and F&B vouchers. Food Business Spotlight: Jordan’s industrial exports rose 8.9% in H1 2026, with food exports mentioned among the sectors tracking growth. Viral Food Moment: Israeli chef Eyal Shani’s bare-handed hummus stunt at his new kosher Malka restaurant sparked backlash online.

Food Policy: India’s FSSAI has proposed front-of-pack warning labels for packaged foods and drinks high in sugar, saturated fat and/or salt, using red hexagonal marks after public anger and Supreme Court pressure pushed the regulator to reverse course. Middle East Trade: Jordan says industrial exports rose 8.9% to JD4.4bn in H1 2026, with chemicals and cosmetics leading; shipments to the UAE jumped 29% in the same period under the 2025 trade pact. Syria Payments & Economy: Syria’s return to global finance gets a real-world boost after the US removed Syria from the State Sponsor of Terrorism list, enabling a Damascus credit-card purchase reported by Reuters. GCC Sustainability & F&B: Ras Al Khaimah opened a carbon-capture and utilisation plant producing 99.99% pure, food-grade CO2 for uses including drink carbonation and food packaging. Hospitality & Dining: Abu Dhabi’s Warner Bros. World is progressing with its Harry Potter land, with Hogwarts Castle and Diagon Alley expected to anchor new rides, dining and retail. Tourism & Culture: Dubai hosted JPEX, spotlighting halal Japanese curry and positioning food as a bridge across cultures.

Carbon & Food Supply: Ras Al Khaimah has opened a carbon-capture and utilisation plant that will produce high-purity, food-grade CO₂ for uses including drink carbonation and food packaging, via a partnership between Gulf Cryo and RAK Ceramics. QSR Expansion: Americana Restaurants has signed an exclusive deal to bring Taco Bell back to the UAE, kicking off a phased comeback across GCC markets after a roughly 14-year absence. Halal Japanese Push: Dubai’s JPEX festival highlighted halal Japanese curry and other Japan food concepts, with exhibitors pitching the idea of cuisine as a bridge for Muslim consumers. Restaurant Ops & Hygiene: Lebanon County restaurant inspections flagged dirty nacho cheese machines and other sanitation issues, underscoring ongoing food-safety scrutiny. Policy Watch (Food Labels): India’s FSSAI has proposed front-of-pack warning labels for high sugar, salt, fat and highly sweetened beverages, but experts warn loopholes could blunt impact. Local Dining Culture: A “quiet socialising” trend is driving more low-commitment café meetups in the UAE, reflecting how coffee culture is shaping day-to-day food habits.

Front-of-Pack Rules: India’s FSSAI is backtracking toward mandatory front-of-pack warning labels, proposing red hexagonal marks for products high in any two (or more) of saturated fat, sugar or salt—an about-face after earlier shelving amid big-food pushback. Food Safety Alert: Whole Foods’ Mild Guacamole Dip recall has been upgraded to the FDA’s highest risk level (Class I) over potential Salmonella contamination tied to jalapeños. Middle East Payments & Access: Syria’s return to Visa card payments is highlighted as a practical sign of reopening financial links after the U.S. removed Syria from its terrorism-sponsor list. Restaurant & Retail Moves: Döner Haus opens its first West Coast site in South LA, while Cairo2Cork in Ireland prepares a new brick-and-mortar for Egyptian staples like koshary and molokhiya. Industry Tech: Beijing restaurants are trialing AI robotic chefs to tackle labor shortages and deliver consistent cooking. Market Watch: A new report forecasts growth for gravity mixers through 2033, pointing to demand in industrial and chemical processing. Livestock & Dairy: UK livestock awards spotlight finalists focused on dairy cow nutrition, heifer care and new pig farming.

UAE Dining & Media: Chef Kelvin Cheung, a Dubai fixture behind Jun’s and Jooksing, is named a MasterChef Asia judge and talks childhood nostalgia and “third-culture cuisine,” with his Support Homegrown push gaining traction amid regional pressures. Restaurant Launches: Dave’s Hot Chicken makes a TikTok-born combo official with its limited-time Mac-Loaded Slider, stacking mac & cheese onto its chicken slider. Turkish Culture Meets Food Tourism: Türkiye’s Culture Route Festival lands in Çanakkale (Aug 29–Sept 7) with 52 food stops spotlighting Aegean seafood and island dishes, plus a gastronomy program led by Michelin chef Maksut Aşkar. Syria Payments & Hospitality Impact: Syria’s president makes a landmark Visa card payment at a Damascus restaurant as the country reconnects to global finance, a move likely to affect consumer confidence and card-based spending. Food Experience Trend: Hyderabad’s Astoria Restaurant goes viral with “Chai ki Dukaan,” a vintage-style Irani chai and high-tea lounge built around Hyderabadi snacks and bun maska. Market Watch (F&B): New reports project big growth for spirits (to $650.36bn by 2035) and A2 milk (to $90.77bn by 2035), driven by premiumization and health-led demand. Food Safety/Health: A case report from Ankara highlights a rare complication—60-hour hiccups—after an epidural steroid injection, underscoring the need for better patient counseling.

Syria’s Payments Comeback: Visa and Mastercard processed their first international card transactions in Syria after the U.S. removed the country from its terrorism designation, with the Syrian president paying by Visa in Damascus—an early step toward wider card acceptance, though coverage is still limited. Refugee Life & Food Work: An Ethiopian asylum family in Israel says their protection was revoked after a court decision, even as one father works at a Jerusalem hummus restaurant—highlighting how food jobs sit inside wider migration insecurity. Food Culture, Region by Region: Airdrie chef Rawad Saghir breaks down why “authentic” shawarma varies, comparing Syrian-style (with pomegranate molasses) and Lebanese-style builds. Restaurant & Consumer Pressure: Israel’s working-poor families are turning to soup kitchens as food prices rise, while South Florida restaurant inspections shut multiple venues over hygiene violations. Industry Watch: Seafood Expo Asia in Singapore spotlights new ready-to-eat and value-added seafood for HORECA and retail. Recall Alert: Fromm recalls wet dog pâtés over potential metal contamination.

Digital Payments & Sanctions Reset: Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa made a Visa card payment at a Damascus restaurant as the country reconnects with global finance after sanctions were lifted; Visa also says it tested a live international card transaction in Syria with the Central Bank and local partners, signaling easier card use for visitors. Hospitality & Trade Shows: Jordan’s HORECA Jordan 2026 returns with 300+ exhibitors and 600+ brands across foodservice, bakery, beverages, coffee and more, plus live cooking competitions and industry talks. Foodservice Innovation in the Region: Dubai’s dining scene keeps evolving with new experiences built for summer comfort, while Istanbul’s Üsküdar Gastronomy Street is positioning itself as an international culinary hub blending Turkish classics with global flavors. Health Tourism (Medical + Food/Service Angle): Artemis Hospitals in India treated a Middle East patient’s pancreatic pseudocyst using an EUS-guided cystogastrostomy with a metal stent, avoiding abdominal surgery and enabling a short stay. Business Finance: Biomerica secured $2.23m via private placement to strengthen its balance sheet and fund operations.

Middle East F&B Market Watch: Hilton signs to enter Zimbabwe for the first time with a 140-room Hilton Garden Inn in Harare, adding an all-day restaurant and meeting facilities as tourism activity recovers. Restaurant Expansion: Shawerma Reem, a Jordan-born shawarma brand dating to 1975 and operating in Jordan and Saudi Arabia, is set to open in Fairfax, Virginia, with chicken/beef shawarma, hummus, baba ghanoush, falafel and more. Food Policy & Pricing: Mondelez Philippines warns a proposed sweetened beverage tax hike could hit consumers and the wider chain, with knock-on effects for products like Tang. Food Industry Governance: US senators urge the FTC to scrutinize Sysco’s proposed $29.1bn acquisition of Jetro Restaurant Depot, warning it could consolidate distribution and raise costs for independent restaurants.

UAE Digital Ops Push: UncannyCS says GCC firms are finally unifying sales, inventory and customer data with Odoo to cut repeated entry and speed decisions—part of the region’s broader digital economy drive. UAE F&B Expansion: RAKEZ welcomed Maison Management (Chef Ishijyot Surri) to launch multi-concept cloud kitchens with Talabat in Dubai, starting with Business Bay and Al Rashidiya. Packaging Cost Pressure: Sonoco will lift EMEA uncoated recycled paperboard prices by €60/tonne from 15 September, citing energy, fuel and transport cost inflation—another hit for food packers. Food Safety Recall (US): FDA recalled 5,825 cases of Fromm wet dog food over possible metal contamination, warning of choking/vomiting risks. Hospitality Sustainability (Dubai): Al Jaddaf Rotana Complex earned Green Key/Travelife/DST awards, citing energy cuts and 100% waste diversion via waste-to-energy. Middle East Culture on Screen: China’s hit “Once Upon a Time in the Middle East” is rolling into overseas markets, including Australia/NZ/Malaysia and later Singapore and Japan. Retail Price Sensitivity (Cyprus): Supermarket shoppers in Cyprus are comparing prices more and buying less, even as summer retail turnover stays strong amid inflation.

Food Labelling Fight: India’s food-safety regulator has backed away from colourful front-of-pack warnings after industry pushback, but the Supreme Court is now scrutinising the move as activists argue clearer sugar/fat/salt alerts are needed to curb obesity risk. GCC Restaurant Tech: Qatar-based DineNORDER is expanding its restaurant ordering and operations platform into Egypt, aiming to help local operators manage menus, payments, reservations and inventory from one system. Saudi Food Security Push: The Saudifood Show and Saudifood Manufacturing are being positioned as a boost to Saudi Arabia’s food security, industry and trade ambitions in Jeddah. Halal Dining Trend: Texas is seeing a halal BBQ surge, with Houston playing a major role as more restaurants add halal options to meet demand. Hospitality & Tourism: Trip Habibi Tourism is offering guided Burj Al Arab tour and dining booking support in Dubai, giving visitors structured access to parts of the landmark hotel. Supply Chain Shock: A new “Super El Niño” outlook is raising alarms for business supply chains and broader economic conditions, with energy and commodity markets in focus. Pet Food Recall (US/Canada): Fromm Family Foods recalled specific wet dog pâtés over potential metal contamination, warning owners to stop feeding and check lot codes.