Aug 20, 2025

Al Safadi Launches Central Kitchen to Expand Catering Services in Dubai and Restaurant Operations

Al Safadi, one of the UAE’s most established Lebanese restaurant groups, has announced the launch of a new central kitchen project in Dubai. The development is designed to support the brand’s restaurant operations while significantly expanding its catering services in Dubai and future business ventures.

The project reflects Al Safadi’s long-term growth strategy as demand continues to rise across dining, catering, retail, and wholesale segments. The new facility will serve existing branches and provide the infrastructure needed to support upcoming restaurant concepts under the Al Safadi Group.

Purpose-Built Facility in Dubai Production City

The central kitchen will be located in Dubai Production City on a 6,000-square-metre plot. The facility itself will span 5,000 square metres across two floors and will be equipped with modern kitchen and food production technology.

Al Safadi has appointed SPAN Construct as the main contractor for the project. Construction is expected to be completed by March 2025, with full operations scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2025.

The location was selected to support efficient logistics, storage, and distribution. From this hub, the group will be able to streamline production and supply across its restaurant network and catering operations.

Scaling Catering Services in Dubai

A key objective of the central kitchen is to scale Al Safadi’s catering services in Dubai. Once operational, the facility is expected to increase catering capacity by up to five times the current level.

At full output, the central kitchen will be capable of producing as many as 15,000 meals per day. This capacity will allow Al Safadi to support large corporate events, private functions, and high-volume catering requirements while maintaining consistency and quality.

As demand for professional catering services in Dubai continues to grow, the facility positions the group to respond at scale without placing additional pressure on individual restaurant kitchens.

Designed for Efficiency, Quality, and Training

The central kitchen has been designed as a fully integrated operations hub. It will include dedicated areas for preparing semi-finished products, as well as extensive dry storage, cold rooms, and temperature-controlled facilities.

In addition to production areas, the site will house a dedicated training centre for kitchen and service staff. This will allow Al Safadi to standardise processes and ensure consistency across all outlets and catering operations.

The facility will also feature a research and development kitchen, where new menu items and concepts can be tested. A quality control laboratory will oversee food safety standards, compliance, and product consistency across all production lines.

Supporting Future Concepts and Business Expansion

Beyond restaurants and catering services in Dubai, the central kitchen will support Al Safadi’s wider business ambitions. These include retail offerings, wholesale distribution, and the potential launch of new spin-off brands.

The facility will also function as a central management hub, housing administrative offices and a call centre to coordinate catering and operational logistics. By consolidating these functions, the group aims to improve efficiency and speed of execution.

According to the company, Al Safadi has operated a central kitchen model since 2004, when it opened its second restaurant branch. The new project builds on that experience, offering a more advanced and scalable solution aligned with the brand’s current and future needs.

A Strategic Investment in Long-Term Growth

Commenting on the project, Fadi Safadi, CEO of Al Safadi, said the central kitchen represents a strategic investment in quality and operational excellence. He noted that the use of advanced equipment and food production technology will help standardise processes while improving speed and efficiency.

With this development, Al Safadi strengthens its position not only as a leading Lebanese restaurant brand, but also as a growing player in catering services in Dubai and the wider UAE foodservice sector.