With its newest outlet opened in Sunset Mall on Wednesday, things are definitely looking up for PappaRoti Cafés.
Going by the tagline "The Father of All Buns", the PappaRoti Cafés are becoming more and more popular in the UAE for their world-famous buns.
PappaRoti launched a second café in the Dubai Mall recently to ease the problem of long queues. So far, the buns have been gaining popularity across the country through word of mouth alone.
So what is it about these coffee-caramel, neither-sweet-nor-salty buns that make them so special?
"It's the only product in the market that is different," says the proud owner of the franchise in the Middle East, Rasha Al Danhani. "It is a snack; you can eat it anytime of the day. It's not like heavy food, and it is unique."
These little cafés pride themselves on the fact that their perfectly proportioned, healthy buns attract people of all nationalities and age groups. Light enough to pass off as a snack rather than a meal, these delicious coffee-caramel buns are soft and fluffy, with a crispy top layering. They are made keeping the customers' health in mind, using only Omega 3 eggs.
The ingredients are put in perfect proportions and the buns are neither oily nor too heavy in calories.
Served alone or in combination with various hot and cold beverages, these buns seem to have taken the crowds by storm, becoming a favourite snack among adults and kids alike.
PappaRoti cafés were originally Malaysian food and beverage joints. The name originates from the word "roti" meaning bread in Malaysia, making the owner of PappaRoti the father of buns.
Wanting to start a business in the UAE, Al Danhani decided to take the franchise and popularise it in the Middle East. The first PappaRoti Café was launched in the Dubai Mall in 2009.
Though still young in the market, the brand has a strong foundation now and is well established with ten stores across the UAE, giving stiff competition to its contemporaries.
The new PappaRoti outlet in Sunset Mall brings a new signature tea with it.
Made of organic products, the tea has a distinct Arabic flavour to bring a dash of the Middle Eastern culture to the café. It also introduces a number of dips and toppings to go with the bun, such as chocolate, strawberry and caramel.
"Since the Sunset Mall is located in an area which is mostly residential, it will be easier for families from there to access that outlet," Al Danhani says.
Leaving competitors far behind in the popularity contest, the PappaRoti buns seem to have become the new cupcake in the Middle East. And why not? They are delicious, light and healthy!
Those who haven't tasted them yet will only understand why they are so sought after once they've experienced the taste themselves. It's definitely not something you can have just once!
