Managing Partner
Dagaz Consultancy
Total years of experience :39 years, 0 Months
Provide independent consultancy services based in Dubai undertaking regular and one-off projects throughout the MENA region
and in SE Asia. Mentor young/new CEO & Operations Directors & support client company leadership on strategy, organisational
structure, new concept/brand development, franchising, operational & corporate performance analysis. Recent and ongoing
projects include -
* Forensic assessment of an established company’s management organization & operations to assess capability for new
international franchised expansion
* Development of a new hospitality venture (café, cafeteria, private dining & catering operation plus gift shop) for a tourist
visitor destination
* Production of a feasibility study and launch plan for a food production business - included consumer & competitor
research; production facility design, site assessments, logistics planning, sales operating model designs (QSR units &
kiosks), direct operation & third party retail launch plans
* Design & development of a central production kitchen and associated logistics function to support launch of a new QSR &
institutional catering operations business
* Development of a MENA market entry & franchising strategy for an overseas based QSR brand
Also provide public and in-house workshops on new venture start-ups, restaurant chain development, international expansion and
franchising. Perform regular speaking engagements within GCC & SE Asia on topics including multinational organisation
leadership, hospitality technology issues, franchising. Serve as a member of the UAE Council for the UN SDGs and as a special
volunteer for the EXPO2020 launch. Act as mentor and pro bono consultant to the Ateneo Social Business Leadership Programme
(Philippines university outreach programme in UAE) and provide career planning & development talks to local universities.
GFC, part of the Gosaibi Group of companies, holds the KSA franchise rights for 3 international f&b brands - Popeyes Louisiana Chicken (fast food fried chicken), Vanellis (pasta/pizza fast food) and Caliburger (premium burgers fast casual dining restaurants). As MD responsible for financial and operational performance of the entire company, production and implementation of multi-annual business plans and budgets, direction and supervision of team of department heads.
Responsible for legal and operational restructuring of MENA Franchise region. Conducted total brand business evaluation,
developed new business operating models, new menu/supply chain, digital media presence, planned introduction of market
leading new technologies (robotics, facial recognition self-order kiosks and integrated ordering/PoS/MIS systems).
OFE holds the Master Franchise licence for the MENA region for Nordsee (German fish restaurants) and has operated 5 loss
making QSR & CDR restaurants in Egypt & the UAE since 2010. I have prepared & implemented a new business development
plan including Brand Development (localisation of procurement & menu development; new pricing & marketing strategies) &
Corporate Development (company sites growth plan; restructuring of corporate team & support functions; sub-franchise
development plan). Reduced corporate overheads by 24%, reduced food costs by 9%; increased sales by 20% (continuing trend).
Introduced new localized menu and associated marketing. Reduced reliance on imported products from 87% (2011) to 27% (2012)
- reduced costs & stock outs.
Atyab & Hober Companies (operators of 3 QSR/casual dining restaurant chains plus cafes and snack kiosks/carts). Responsible for company strategic planning and day to day financial and operational development.
Responsible for the running of a new Gourmet Food Store business within the Landmark Group’s new hospitality division. Development and launch of a new cafe/bistro concept
Responsible for operational & financial performance for all Quick Service and Casual Dining Restaurant operations (8 ethnic
brands). Served as member of HBI Executive Committee and as board member for Joint Venture companies in India & Saudi Arabia. Grew corporate estate from 22 units (2006) to 65 (2008). Directed new market launch into Saudi Arabia, Bahrain & India.
Achieved year-on-year, like-for-like unit sales & profit increase of 17% &10%. Introduced entire new operating systems & procedures - audits, forecasting, managerial reporting & business analysis, KPIs, Operations Manual, menu analyses & development, recruitment & training/development programmes. Designed 2 new concepts & new operating format (multi brand
delivery/takeaway business).
Served in a variety of roles within SSP (the Retail division of Compass UK)
s (SSP UK, Compass
Group) UK
Responsibility for brand development, and for all national & local marketing for a brand established in 1928 & with 17 licensed
restaurants (corporate), 13 Fast Food takeaways (corporate), and 115 QSR express units (17 corporate & 98 franchised).
Developed new brand positioning - oversaw design of new restaurant & fast food concepts & brand relaunch campaign. First
(re)launch resulted in LFY sales increase of +40%. Designed & launched group sales campaign - resulted in increase in group
bookings of +10%. Prepared new franchising campaign. Company sold
(Harry Ramsden’s & Medirest)
SSP Specialist Brands (Harry Ramsdens, Whistlestop) & Medirest (Compass Group) UK
Led brand development & franchising projects for Whistlestop (Convenience Stores), Harry Ramsden’s (Fish & Chips), & Medirest
(Hospital catering & FM). Defined brand standards, introduced new brand manual for Whistlestop. Designed and launched national
franchising & home delivery campaigns for Harry Ramsden’s. Provided consultancy review of retail catering & FM operations at 5
Medirest hospital sites.
Responsible for the management of F&B operations in 5 regional airports plus the P&O contract. Total 75 units across a range of
external & Compass/SSP branded concepts including QSRs (Burger King, Brioche Doree, O’Brien’s Sandwich Bars, Café
Ritazza, Food Village, Delice de France), Fast Food kiosks (Upper Crust), Casual & Fine Dining Restaurants & Bars (Bar des
Voyageurs, Langans Brasserie,
Casual dining pizza restaurant chain with 60 units in mainland UK. Company turnover approximately £ 23.5 m.
Responsible for strategic brand development & tactical marketing operations. Assisted MD in development of Management Buyout
Plan, including corporate restructuring, introduction & development of new concept restaurants, and repositioning of existing sites.
Responsible for operational performance through the control of team of 800 staff. MBO rejected & company sold
Beverages Ltd. UK, Eire
Master franchisee company for franchised US hot deli sandwich café QSR chain. Created corporate strategic plan. Produced
competitor & market analysis. Developed new branding strategy for UK & Eire markets. Oversaw preparation of Franchise
Agreement & mapped Unit Franchise & Area Development territories. Planned & initiated franchisee recruitment programme.
Initially employed by UK subsidiary of Domino’s USA, then UK Master Franchise, & finally directly by Domino’s International Franchise
Operations. Provided general business consultancy (marketing, finance, personnel) to franchisee companies in UK & latterly to Master
Franchisee companies in Continental Europe. Responsible for supporting/directing franchisees to meet growth targets and maintain
quality & performance goals through regular audits and inspections. Established & managed UK training department.
Truscott Ltd.,
Regional sales of electronics components. Assisted in planning and managing company promotions at national exhibitions.
courses: Specialisation in New Venture Management.
