Dubai: The Crystal Group, a Dubai-based hospitality consultancy, is investing up to Dh130 million to expand its portfolio of restaurants and lounges over the next five years, according to its founder and chief executive, Mazen Al Zein.
The company, which was established in Lebanon in 2003 and later moved its headquarters to the UAE, operates 10 restaurants, beach clubs and lounges in Lebanon, Morocco and the UAE.
Crystal plans to open one outlet each under its oriental restaurant brand, Em Sherif and restaurant and lounge concept, 40 Kong in Abu Dhabi in a year’s time, as well as another Em Sherif outlet in London in a year and a half, Al Zein said by phone on Tuesday. He also said that the company will launch a new restaurant, bar and lounge concept in London, but did not state details. It previously had an outlet in London which closed in 2010.
On why the company is expanding, Al Zein said: “The opportunity comes from several factors: we see potential in these markets, our brands have equity in these markets and the opportunity also comes from a partner that is established in these markets.”
The company is also planning to enter Egypt either by the end of this year or next year, with 40 Kong in Cairo and possibly Eden, a beach club, on the North Coast. It is also looking to open in Istanbul, with 40 Kong, a year later.
Last year, Crystal opened two properties in Dubai — Em Sherif and Eden beach club in the Rixos The Palm Dubai — bringing the total number of outlets in the UAE to five, including the People clubs in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and 40 Kong in Dubai’s H Hotel.
Al Zein told Gulf News last year he expects the company’s revenue in the UAE to grow from Dh90 million in 2014 to Dh140 million this year, driven by the expansion.
