Latest news with #SteveFlawith
Arabian Business
03-06-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
UAE homegrown chicken brand BonBird opens in Abu Dhabi
UAE homegrown brand BonBird has opened its first-ever Abu Dhabi branch. The 1,000 sq ft site seats up to 60 guests and features a feel-good space to indulge in from 10 AM to 1 AM daily. BonBird's expansion into Abu Dhabi is part of the parent company Yolk Brands ' broader mission to take its quick-service restaurant (QSR) concepts to every major UAE neighbourhood and beyond. BonBird marks Abu Dhabi debut Having already regionally expanded in the past year, the premium fried chicken concept's Abu Dhabi debut strengthens its ambitions to dominate the fried chicken scene regionally and globally. Launched in 2023 by UAE-based Yolk Brands, BonBird has made a quick and fast-growing footprint across the region. In April, Yolk Brands announced a partnership with City Restaurants Group to bring 50 BonBird locations to the UK, the largest QSR franchise deal ever signed by a UAE brand. 'Bringing BonBird to Abu Dhabi is a major milestone in our broader vision for the brand and one we've been excited about for a long time. As the capital of the UAE, it's a key city in our roadmap and plays an important role in accelerating our national growth. Since launching BonBird, we've always believed in its potential to scale across borders, and this new opening is just another step in what's shaping up to be a very big year for us,' Steve Flawith, Founder and CEO of parent company Yolk Brands said in a statement. The new Abu Dhabi branch comes with easy parking access via Ahmed Bin Abulaziz Al Mubarak Street, convenient pit stops for dining and delivery.
Arabian Business
02-06-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
UAE burger brand Pickl announces new Abu Dhabi branch
UAE burger brand Pickl has opened its third location in Abu Dhabi. The new branch will feature a dine-in venue at Gardens Plaza in Khalifa City, marking the brand's growing and successful presence in the country. The opening further reflects Pickl's mission to bring quality-driven, locally rooted fast food to every major UAE neighbourhood. New Pickl location opens The 1,200 sq ft outpost seats up to 44 guests and reflects the burger joint's fast-food concept and bold personality, creating a vibrant setting to enjoy burgers, chicken sandos, sides, and desserts daily from 10 AM to 1 AM. The burger joint has grown rapidly across the region in a short span of time, with over 16 locations across the UAE and other international branches. The brand's expansion into Khalifa City also fuels its national presence, leading the way for continued growth across the region, the company said in an emailed statement. Launched in Dubai in 2019, Pickl has grown to be one of the region's most recognised fast-food names, with its focus on quality and consistency standing out in a competitive dining environment. Steve Flawith, Founder and CEO of parent company Yolk Brands, said: 'We're proud to open our third location in Abu Dhabi and to deepen our connection with the capital. While residents have enjoyed Pickl through delivery in this neighbourhood, Gardens Plaza now offers them the chance to experience our full menu in person. This vibrant community aligns perfectly with the Pickl brand, and we're excited to serve more legends at our new venue. This launch reflects an important step in our growth journey as we continue bringing Pickl to more communities across the UAE and beyond.' To mark the occasion, the burger joint will be giving away 100 free Ice Cream Sandos during its opening week, until Wednesday, June 4 th.
Arabian Business
28-04-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Dubai's BonBird opens first Oman restaurant in Muscat expansion
Dubai-based fried chicken brand BonBird has opened its first Oman location at Souq Madinat Al Qaboos in Muscat, marking the company's entry into its fourth international market. The brand, known for using fresh chicken without antibiotics, preservatives or hormones, has partnered with Oman-based MENA Foods to establish its presence in the Sultanate. A second location is planned for Q2 2025. 'We are on a mission to expand Oman's QSR food scene and saw immense potential in BonBird, not just because of the food, but because of the incredible team and the values it lives by. We love the fact that the brand focuses on high-quality, fresh chicken with no added hormones or preservatives,' Tahir Al Balushi, Co-founder and CEO of MENA Foods said in a statement. View this post on Instagram A post shared by BONBIRD 🍗 (@ BonBird expands to Oman with first location in Muscat The partnership between MENA Foods and BonBird's parent company, Yolk Brands, extends beyond this initial opening. Plans include bringing Yolk's burger concept Pickl to Oman with a first location scheduled to open in Q1 2026. Since launching in 2023, the restaurant has established itself as a popular fried chicken option in the region. The menu features buckets of fried chicken, chicken burgers, wraps, and rice bowls that customers can customise with seasonings including the brand's signature Chicken Salt and XXX Hot. Inspired by East London chicken shops, the restaurant offers a contemporary take on comfort food with an emphasis on quality ingredients at competitive prices. The brand already operates across the UAE and expanded to Qatar and Pakistan earlier this year. Yolk Brands recently secured a deal with City Restaurants Group to open 50 BonBird locations in the UK. 'Bringing BonBird to Oman is a significant milestone in our greater vision for the brand and we're thrilled to have partnered with MENA Foods to make it happen. Since its launch, we have firmly believed in BonBird's vast global potential and opening doors in our 4 th country in less than 2 years fuels our ambitions even more. Rest assured, we're just getting started,' Steve Flawith, Founder and CEO of Yolk Brands. The new restaurant location in Muscat will operate from 12 PM to 12 AM Saturday through Wednesday, with extended hours until 2 AM on Thursdays and Fridays.
Campaign ME
21-03-2025
- Business
- Campaign ME
Pickl's first regional Ramadan campaign puts community at its heart
Pickl has launched its first regional Ramadan campaign, Pickl Giving, showcasing its commitment to local communities across the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, and Egypt. The month-long initiative is designed to foster engagement by inviting customers to share ideas on how the brand can give back, integrating public participation into its Ramadan activations. 'This was our first measured campaign across the region. Now that we have expanded into new markets across the Middle East, we've been given the opportunity to think across borders,' said Steve Flawith, Founder and CEO of Yolk Brands, the hospitality group behind Pickl. 'The objective was simple: to showcase that we are a homegrown brand from the region that genuinely cares about each and every community we sit in.' The campaign builds on Pickl's broader #BeLocal mission, which has previously highlighted initiatives such as delivery rider appreciation and environmental cleanups. For Ramadan, Pickl is expanding this commitment with a platform that allows its customers to shape its giving efforts. Through 'The Art of Giving,' the brand is encouraging community members to propose ways it can support charitable and social causes, aiming to translate these ideas into direct action. 'This Ramadan, we wanted to take one of the key pillars of Islam – Zakat – to really delve into what Ramadan means to our community, what their favourite memories are and if it were distilled into one word, what would that really boil down to,' said Flawith. Pickl Giving: A region-wide Ramadan campaign To activate Pickl Giving across its markets, the brand is rolling out targeted initiatives specific to each country. In the UAE, efforts include iftar meals for delivery riders, food donations, and a desert cleanup. In Qatar, activities range from blood donation drives to community food initiatives. Bahrain's campaign focuses on food drives and traditional Ramadan gatherings, and in Egypt, Pickl is supporting orphanages through meal donations. Pickl has also produced a Ramadan brand film, conceptualised and executed entirely in-house by Yolk Brands. The campaign video features notable regional figures, including Khalid Al Ameri, Hamad Al Hajri (CEO of Snoonu), and Reem Alzayani (Corporate Communications and ESG Director of Alzayani Investments), sharing personal reflections on the spirit of Ramadan and the power of giving. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Pickl MENA 🍔 (@ 'This entire campaign was conceptualised by our team, filmed across four countries, and storyboarded, edited, and launched in-house. Working on something this soulful, in collaboration with our partners across the region, truly showcases our team's raw talent,' Flawith added. 'It proves that impactful, beautiful advertising that resonates comes from passion, vision, and drive – not just big budgets.' A key element of the campaign is its interactive approach. Through customers can submit ideas for how the brand should engage in giving back. The initiative reflects Pickl's strategy of fostering customer-driven brand engagement while aligning with the cultural significance of Ramadan. 'Our final take for the campaign centred around the art of giving, showcasing how we're giving back to communities while also offering a way for those who may not be able to contribute directly to submit their ideas,' Flawith explained. 'From there, we would turn their ideas into action and give back on their behalf.' The campaign will be amplified across Pickl's digital channels, with ongoing updates and stories showcasing community participation. Building long-term consumer connections 'Pickl Giving' marks the brand's most extensive community-focused activation to date, with a focus on building long-term relationships with its audience through shared social impact efforts. The campaign underscores how brands in the region are increasingly building consumer connections through Ramadan. 'While localised, geo-targeted campaigns remain a key part of our strategy, these big regional moments are where we're planting our flag for the long haul,' Flawith noted. 'To prove that a simple idea, fuelled by passion, is worth its weight in gold.'
Zawya
25-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Epik Foods acquires 1762 to expand its portfolio of gourmet F&B concepts
UAE: Epik Foods, the dynamic UAE-born F&B group, has announced the acquisition of 1762, the renowned gourmet deli previously under the Yolk Brands umbrella. This strategic acquisition marks a key milestone in Epik Foods' expansive growth trajectory and reinforces its commitment to delivering exceptional dining experiences while strengthening its presence in the Middle East's growing F&B landscape. The acquisition follows Epik Foods' securing of $15.5 million in private capital funding from Ruya Private Capital I, LP, a fund managed by Ruya Partners. This investment has provided the financial backing for Epik Foods to scale its operations, enhance its existing brands, and pursue strategic growth opportunities. With over 60 brands across 50 locations, the group continues to establish itself as a dominant player in the region's food and beverage industry. As part of its regional expansion strategy, Epik Foods has already secured a first location for 1762 in Saudi Arabia, further cementing its plans to build on gourmet dining experiences across the GCC. 1762 has long been celebrated for its commitment to delivering high-quality gourmet food and exceptional customer service. The brand boasts a loyal following and operates in prime locations across Dubai's business districts, serving both corporate clients and private customers. Its reputation in premium catering services has also positioned the brand as a trusted partner for a range of high-profile events. While 1762 will retain its existing branding, Epik Foods will provide operational and strategic support to enhance efficiencies and streamline logistics. The leadership teams of both groups will work closely together to ensure a seamless integration, maintaining the brand's high standards and ensuring a smooth transition for both customers and employees. Khaled Fadly, CEO and Co-founder of Epik Foods, said '1762 is a brand with a rich legacy and enormous potential, recognised for its deep connection with customers and lasting impact in the F&B landscape. Its strong reputation for quality food, exceptional service, and a gourmet deli dining experience make it a perfect addition to our portfolio. By acquiring 1762, we can expand our reach in gourmet dining and catering sectors, diversify our offerings, and fuel the brand's potential to enter new markets, starting with Saudi Arabia and extending across the wider region. We're excited to build on the success of 1762 and leverage our operational expertise to streamline efficiencies and improve the overall experience.' Steve Flawith, CEO and Founder of Yolk Brands, said 'The acquisition of 1762 is a testament to the brand's strength and the loyal following we built over the years. The team at Epik Foods have the vision and expertise to expand 1762 into new markets while preserving the core identity and values we've worked hard to establish. I believe that the true center of any brand lies in its people, and I'm confident that Khaled and Ranya are the right leaders to take this one to even greater heights. I'm excited to see how this transition will unlock new growth opportunities, and I look forward to watching 1762 continue to thrive under their leadership.' This acquisition allows Epik Foods to diversify its brand portfolio, strengthen its presence in the gourmet F&B sector, and expand its capabilities in corporate catering, which is a growing focus for the company. With a strong emphasis on innovation, customer experience, and regional expansion, Epik Foods is poised to elevate 1762's legacy while driving new growth opportunities across the region. About Epik Foods Epik Foods emerged as a dynamic F&B group that operates a range of dining experiences through its multiple brands, spanning dine-in locations, digital concepts, meal plan services, and catering services. With over 60 brands and 50 locations across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman, Epik Foods aims to elevate customers' culinary experience and make every meal memorable. The F&B group is dedicated to unwavering quality, continuous innovation, and creating exceptional culinary journeys across the region.
