The co-working space trend fad or future?
An IT programmer, a social media specialist and a graphic designer walk into a coffee shop… and now it’s a co-working space. If you don’t see the humor in this joke, you probably haven’t experienced a co working space to the full. The concept has been around for a while now, but is still fairly new in the Middle East. Nada Alameddine, partner at Hodema consulting services, fills us in on the details
Hospitality news 101 the ones to watch
Franchising is still a viable option for those in the hospitality industry – one that is more risk-free than running a business of your own. Despite the cons, a proven business model is always a sure bet. The right franchise is out there… deciding which franchise is right for you always begins with Hospitality News ME
9 kings of nightlife
In Beirut, trends come and go on the club and bar scene in the same amount of time it takes to shake a cocktail. Properties need to be refreshed, neighborhoods are hot – and then not – and then there are the trends in people’s tastes, like whisky versus rum. Not many moguls are able to ride the waves smoothly enough to stay in business. We catch up with nice heavyweights who have dominated the scene and are here to stay
Pop-up franchises more than a passing trend?
In the era of social media, zapping and ever-changing new trends, restaurant operators have a challenging time staying in vogue. Changing your décor, menu and vibe every other month to keep customers on their toes is a big ask for many venues and perhaps difficult to achieve for some. The growing trend of pop-up concepts, however, could be a way around the problem. Setting up a temporary restaurant may initially seem quite ambitious, given that it requires an upfront investment similar to what’s required for a permanent project, before closing down soon after. But don’t judge this book by its cover, as Nagi Morkos, managing partner at Hodema consulting services, explains
Chains and franchises VS stand-alone restaurants
The topic of whether Dubai has yet to establish itself as a true food-destination city is one that prompts animated discussion within the industry. Some experts think independent restaurants are at risk of falling into the standardization trap and losing that all-important passion for food. Daniel During, principal and management director of Thomas Klein International, looks at the pitfalls and how to avoid them
Interview with Fadi Safadi
In an exclusive interview to HN, Hodema consulting services talks with Fadi Safadi, founder of Al Safadi, a successful F&B concept launched in 1994, in Beirut, Lebanon.
All wrapped up
Individual single-serving F&B products were very probably first introduced primarily to accommodate the commercial airline industry’s space constraints on aircrafts. The concept was then adopted by hotels over time, leading to global brands using them to serve consumers in povertystricken markets. As people began to spend more time outside of their homes, global and local brands have created their own concepts to cater to an ever-growing audience. HN unpacks this important industry to find out more.
A spirited affair: spotlight on whisky
Malts and blends were at a fever pitch at this year’s Whisky Live Beirut as spirit aficionados assessed the current market and launched a few future stars. Experts and brand ambassadors attending the show gave us a heads up on what’s here and what’s to come.
HORECA Lebanon on the horizon
Marking its 27th edition at Beirut’s Seaside Arena from March 24-27, 2020, HORECA Lebanon is the country’s largest hospitality and foodservice event. We take a look at what’s in store at the four-day exhibition.
