Muscat - As the number of local-driven brands is increasing, it’s no secret that Omani entrepreneurs are shaking up Oman’s F&B ecosystem. They are leading the way with trends and providing the market with new and exciting experiences.
From simple ideas, several have become beloved national brands like Dice, Mint and Coco, Amazing Burger, and Ajeen, with many even expanding to include physical outlets.
In Oman, Talabat continues to shine the light on these aspirational examples and renew its commitment to help other budding entrepreneurs unlock their full potential. Utilizing its wide-reaching platform, helps them overcome various challenges they could face while also enabling them to expand their online presence and therefore reach as many people as possible.
Mohamed Zourob, Managing Director of Talabat Oman believes that SMEs are the core of Talabat's food delivery service, representing a vital part of the food delivery ecosystem as well as the overall growth and development of the local economy.
“Whether it is by providing economic opportunities or addressing the gaps in the market, Talabat is always ready to lend a hand to local businesses wherever we can. Beginning our journey as an SME ourselves, we are extremely proud to be part of this community and will continue to look for ways to work collaboratively with local businesses, helping them turn their visions into reality,” said Zourob.
Hudhaifa al Maimani, CEO of Dice, realized that his best bet to conveniently deliver his business to the market was to operate through Talabat's cloud kitchen offering in Oman.
“In 2018, I had the vision to open up my own business, to deliver a unique product to the market and not repeat what was already available. I’m very happy to say that since partnering with Talabat, Dice has expanded into three dark kitchens and three physical stores across Oman,” adds Al Maimani.
Another celebrated SME is Mint & Coco, which was founded by Loaya Al Maamari in 2018. Featuring global cuisine with a twist of Omani flavors, the award-winning business has now opened a second outlet called The Courtyard, a true example of success.
Al Maamari says, “The advice I would give aspiring entrepreneurs in the food and beverage industry is to do plenty of research! Connect with restaurant owners and experts in other countries and learn from their successes - mistakes as well.”
“Always aim to find the right business partners to work with like Talabat. Courses are also a great way to gain insight on business planning and operations,” added Al Maamari.
The last two years have had an unprecedented effect on Oman’s restaurant industry, with SMEs particularly being pushed to their survival thresholds. Yet it was through innovation and old-fashioned perseverance that they were able to endure.
Mohamed al Araimi, the founder of Amazing Burger, said, “Covid-19 has been a huge learning curve. During the lockdown period, there was a massive demand for takeaways and we did not have enough delivery personnel to accommodate that surge in demand. I had to roll up my sleeves, drive from Sur to Muscat and purchase the ingredients the restaurant required.”
As Oman’s leading food and q-commerce delivery app, Talabat plays a major role in Oman’s F&B ecosystem, while leveraging its global expertise to provide an environment of growth. It also extends support to the local economy by providing job opportunities. As such, it recently onboarded over 1,000 freelance riders.
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