GCC Consumer Food Service Market Research Report: Forecast (2026-2032)

GCC Consumer Food Service Market Report Key Takeaways:

• The GCC Consumer Food Service Market size was valued at around USD 44.25 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 78.37 billion by 2032. The estimated CAGR from 2026 to 2032 is around 8.51%, indicating strong growth.
• By outlet type, the chained outlets represented 60% of the GCC Consumer Food Service Market size in 2025, and are projected to expand at a 13.85% CAGR during 2026-32.
• By location, the retail sector represented 40% of the GCC Consumer Food Service Market size in 2025, while the travel segment is projected to expand at a CAGR of 9.50% during 2026-32.
• By service type, the dine-in sector captured 65% share of the GCC Consumer Food Service Market size in 2025, while the delivery segment is projected to grow at a CAGR of 14% during 2026-32.
• By foodservice type, the cloud kitchens are anticipated to register a CAGR of 13.5% during 2026-32.
• The leading consumer food service companies in GCC are Herfy Food Services Company, Papa John's International, Inc., McDonald’s Corporation, ALBAIK Food Systems Company Ltd., Restaurant Brands International Inc., Yum! Brands, Inc., Kitopi Catering Services LLC, Domino’s Pizza, Inc., Starbucks Corporation, Al Tazaj, Alamar Foods Company CJSC., and others.

Market Insights & Analysis: GCC Consumer Food Service Market (2026- 2032):

The GCC Consumer Food Service Market size was valued at around USD 44.25 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 78.37 billion by 2032. Along with this, the market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 8.51% during the forecast period, i.e., 2026-32.

The GCC Consumer Food Service Market is experiencing rapid growth, driven by rising disposable income and surging tourism inflows, alongside the rapid adoption of cloud kitchens and delivery-first business models that are reshaping how consumers access and experience food services.

Tourism-led consumption remains the primary engine of growth. International tourism revenues across the GCC reached USD 110.4 billion in 2023, representing a 28.2% increase in levels, reflecting stronger visitor spending power and longer stays.

By 2024, international tourist arrivals climbed to 72.2 million, generating USD 120.2 billion in tourism receipts, reinforcing cross-border demand for dining, cafés, and hospitality-linked food services.

Tourism’s macroeconomic impact is equally significant. The broader travel and tourism sector contributed approximately USD 247.1 billion to GCC GDP in 2024, accounting for about 11.4% of regional GDP, indirectly supporting disposable income through job creation and wage growth.

This momentum is visible across both large and smaller markets. For example, Kuwait recorded approximately USD 2.3 billion in tourism revenue in 2024, the fastest growth rate among Arab economies at around 35%, driven by visa facilitation and national events that stimulated inbound travel and local dining. Across the region, higher visitor volumes are elevating dining frequency, ticket sizes, and outlet turnover, particularly in mixed-use developments, entertainment districts, and transport-linked commercial zones.

In parallel, the rise of cloud kitchens and delivery-first concepts is accelerating structural change. For instance, in February 2024, the Co-Kitchens launched a smart cloud kitchen hub in Al Quoz, Dubai, hosting multiple virtual brands under one facility and enabling eight F&B concepts to scale without physical storefronts. Such models reduce capital barriers, shorten expansion cycles, and align with app-driven consumption via platforms such as Talabat and Deliveroo. This shift complements tourism growth by expanding access points for food service beyond traditional dine-in locations.

Looking ahead, the growth runway remains substantial. For example, GCC governments project visitor spending to reach approximately USD 224 billion by 2034, supported by sustained investment in tourism infrastructure, visa facilitation, and entertainment ecosystems.

Furthermore, national strategies further reinforce this trajectory. Oman’s Vision 2040 alone includes up to USD 51 billion in tourism investment, with up to 90% from private-sector participation, expanding leisure, hospitality, and food service demand over the next decade.

Despite rapid digitization, the market remains anchored in physical experiences. By service type, the dine-in segment accounted for 65% of the GCC Consumer Food Service Market in 2025, underscoring the enduring role of experiential dining, even as delivery channels expand.

Collectively, tourism-led income growth and digital-first operating models are jointly transforming the GCC food service landscape. Rising visitor volumes, expanding leisure ecosystems, and scalable cloud kitchens will sustain outlet expansion, elevate spending intensity, and drive long-term market growth.

GCC Consumer Food Service Market Recent Developments:

• December 2025: Rowley’s launched in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), introducing a premium steakhouse and grill concept to one of the GCC’s most vibrant dining hubs. Located at Central Park Towers, the outlet offers dry-aged steaks and classic comfort cuisine, reinforcing Dubai’s premium casual dining growth.
• April 2025: London-born Mediterrasian concept The Banc debuted at Dubai’s Renaissance Business Bay Hotel, introducing a fusion of Mediterranean and Asian cuisine to the city’s waterfront dining scene. Featuring elevated seafood, signature grills, and a cigar lounge, the launch highlights Dubai’s role as a gateway for global restaurant brands in the GCC.

GCC Consumer Food Service Market Scope:

GCC Consumer Food Service Market Drivers:

Rising Disposable Income & Expanding Regional Tourism

The GCC consumer food service industry is undergoing a structural transformation, driven primarily by accelerating tourism inflows and rising disposable income across key economies. Governments in the region are positioning tourism as a central pillar of economic diversification, translating directly into higher footfall for cafés, quick-service restaurants, casual dining outlets, and premium dining concepts.

In 2024, Dubai welcomed a record 18.72 million visitors, up 9% year-on-year, boosting demand across QSR and premium dining. Tourism-driven spending is accelerating outlet growth in key hospitality hubs, reinforcing the UAE’s leadership in regional food service expansion.

Similarly, in 2024, Saudi Arabia welcomed 30 million international visitors, generating USD 75.7 billion in tourism spending, up 11% year-on-year. Vision 2030 initiatives are reshaping food service demand across major cities, driving rapid expansion of international brands, cloud kitchens, and premium casual dining formats.

In parallel, Qatar’s tourism receipts reached about USD 8.4 billion in 2024, with rising GCC mobility and international travel boosting dining demand across business districts and mixed-use hubs. Meanwhile, Bahrain generated around USD 3.7 billion, up 12%, with intra-GCC travel and cultural events driving weekend tourism and lifting food service spending across Manama and coastal districts.

Overall, rising tourism inflows and disposable income are structurally expanding the GCC consumer food service market. As visitor numbers and spending continue to climb, dining demand will scale across all formats, driving sustained outlet expansion and long-term market growth.

GCC Consumer Food Service Market Trends:

Shift Towards Cloud Kitchens & Delivery-First Concept

The GCC’s consumer food service industry is undergoing a structural shift toward cloud kitchens and delivery-first models, driven by rapid digital adoption and urban lifestyle changes. Online food delivery in the region reached approximately USD 9.8 billion in 2025, reflecting growing consumer reliance on app-based ordering and at-home dining convenience. This surge is compelling both traditional restaurant chains and digital-native brands to adopt cloud kitchen formats that eliminate dine-in overheads while optimizing production efficiency, speed, and geographic reach.

Dubai-based Kitopi illustrates the cloud kitchen transformation, operating 200+ kitchens across five GCC countries and supporting 200+ brands. Its model enables rapid expansion, backed by over USD 800 million in funding and a USD 1.55 billion valuation. Kitopi recorded nearly 300% order growth during the pandemic, underscoring the region’s accelerating shift toward delivery-first dining.

Looking ahead, the cloud kitchen segment is projected to grow at a CAGR of 13.50%, while food delivery is expected to expand at 14% CAGR, reinforcing the long-term shift toward off-premise dining. These growth trajectories indicate rising investments in digital platforms, logistics infrastructure, and multi-brand kitchen hubs across GCC cities.

Cloud kitchens are redefining how food service operates in the GCC by lowering entry barriers, accelerating market reach, and aligning with digital-first consumption. As delivery adoption intensifies, this trend will become a core engine of market expansion.

GCC Consumer Food Service Market Challenges:

High Operating Costs Impeding Market Growth

High operating costs remain a structural challenge for the GCC Consumer Food Service Industry, steadily compressing margins and limiting scalability. According to the GCC Statistical Center, the restaurants and hotels category recorded inflation of approximately 2.0% during 2024, signaling sustained increases in food ingredients, utilities, logistics, and service inputs across the region. This inflationary environment forces operators to absorb higher expenses while remaining price-competitive in value-sensitive markets.

Labor-related costs further intensify this pressure. Rising wages, training requirements, and compliance expenses associated with expatriate workforces elevate payroll burdens. At the same time, food and beverage inflation continues to raise the cost of goods sold. In Saudi Arabia, official data shows that food and hotel prices increased by 2.0%–2.3% by early 2025, driven partly by higher meat and poultry prices, directly impacting restaurant procurement budgets and menu economics. Together, these cost dynamics reduce profitability, constrain reinvestment capacity, and raise entry barriers for independent and small-format operators.

Overall, persistently high input and labor costs weaken operator margins and slow outlet expansion. Without operational efficiencies or pricing power, these pressures may curb new market entrants and moderate long-term sector growth.

GCC Consumer Food Service Market (2026-32) Segmentation Analysis:

The GCC Consumer Food Service Market Report and Forecast 2026-2032 offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:

Based on Outlet Type:

• Chained Outlets
• Independent Outlets

The chained outlets segment holds the top spot in the GCC Consumer Food Service Market, with a market share of around 60%. This segment is maintaining its leadership due to its superior ability to scale, standardize, and adapt to evolving consumption patterns.

Large domestic and international brands benefit from strong brand equity, consistent quality benchmarks, and repeatable operating models that allow rapid expansion across high-traffic locations such as malls, airports, business districts, and tourism-driven destinations.

Their dominance is underpinned by structural efficiencies. Centralized procurement, integrated supply chains, and shared back-end operations enable chained operators to achieve cost optimization and pricing stability that independent outlets often struggle to match. In parallel, chains lead in digital integration, leveraging mobile ordering, loyalty platforms, and delivery partnerships to capture omni-channel demand and enhance customer lifetime value.

These competitive advantages are translating into sustained growth momentum, with chained outlets projected to expand at a CAGR of 13.85% during 2026-32. Ongoing investments in mixed-use developments, entertainment hubs, and hospitality infrastructure across the GCC continue to favor scalable, brand-led formats.

As consumers increasingly prioritize reliability, hygiene assurance, and seamless service experiences, chained outlets are positioned to reinforce their leadership, shaping the market’s structure and long-term growth trajectory.

Based on Location:

• Leisure
• Lodging
• Retail
• Standalone
• Travel

The retail category leads the GCC Consumer Food Service Industry, holding around 40% market share, and continues to lead due to the structural importance of malls and mixed-use destinations across the GCC.

Retail centers function as lifestyle ecosystems rather than pure shopping venues, combining dining, entertainment, and social interaction under one roof. High and predictable footfall, extended dwell time, and climate-controlled environments create ideal conditions for food service operators to achieve consistent volumes and brand visibility.

The clustering of international and regional restaurant brands within these hubs also enables operational efficiencies, shared marketing, and rapid concept testing, reinforcing retail’s dominance across quick-service, fast-casual, and casual dining formats.

Conversely, the travel segment, including airports, rail terminals, and transit corridors, is projected to expand at a 9.5% CAGR during 2026-32, making it the fastest-growing location category. This growth is anchored in rising passenger throughput, regional aviation expansion, and sustained tourism inflows across hubs such as Dubai, Riyadh, Doha, and Abu Dhabi.

Travelers increasingly expect premium, diverse, and culturally resonant dining options, prompting transport authorities to modernize food service infrastructure. As mobility intensifies, travel-linked food service is evolving into a high-growth channel for branded and experiential operators.

GCC Consumer Food Service Market (2026-32): Regional Projection

The GCC Consumer Food Service Market is dominated by the UAE region, owing to its structural advantages across tourism, urbanization, digital maturity, and investment accessibility. The country attracts the region’s highest volume of international visitors and expatriate professionals, generating sustained, year-round demand across quick-service, casual dining, premium restaurants, cafés, and delivery-oriented formats. Dubai and Abu Dhabi operate as global lifestyle and transit hubs, ensuring continuous footfall across malls, airports, business districts, and entertainment corridors.

The UAE also leads the GCC in food-tech adoption and cloud kitchen density, supported by advanced logistics, high smartphone penetration, and mature platforms such as Talabat, Deliveroo, and Careem. These ecosystems enable rapid brand scaling, operational efficiency, and lower capital deployment compared to traditional brick-and-mortar expansion.

In parallel, liberal foreign ownership policies, streamlined licensing frameworks, and free-zone infrastructure continue to attract global restaurant chains and regional entrepreneurs. Combined with high disposable income, a multicultural consumer base, and strong premiumization trends, these factors sustain the UAE’s position as the GCC’s most commercially dynamic and innovation-driven food service market through the forecast period.

Gain a Competitive Edge with Our GCC Consumer Food Service Market Report

• GCC Consumer Food Service Market Report by MarkNtel Advisors provides a detailed & thorough analysis of market size & share, growth rate, competitive landscape, and key players. This comprehensive analysis helps businesses gain a holistic understanding of the market dynamics & make informed decisions.
• This report also highlights current market trends & future projections, allowing businesses to identify emerging opportunities & potential challenges. By understanding market forecasts, companies can align their strategies & stay ahead of the competition.
• GCC Consumer Food Service Market Report aids in assessing & mitigating risks associated with entering or operating in the market. By understanding market dynamics, regulatory frameworks, and potential challenges, businesses can develop strategies to minimize risks & optimize their operations.

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