Reviewed by Abdul.Wasey
The Global Restaurant Investment Forum (GRIF) returns to Dubai from October 19th to 21st, welcoming more than 200 senior hospitality leaders, investors, developers, and founders under the theme THRIVE
Held in partnership with Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), GRIF 2026 will examine the data, investment trends, and business decisions shaping the next phase of the UAE restaurant industry
Dubai : Now in its 2026 edition, the Global Restaurant Investment Forum (GRIF) is a business-led platform for senior operators, investors, and industry decision-makers to examine the forces shaping the restaurant sector and the opportunities emerging from them. This year, the forum will put the UAE market under the microscope, exploring its performance, challenges, and potential for continued growth.
With Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), joining as a Strategic Partner, GRIF 2026 will place the UAE restaurant industry at the centre of the conversation, examining how the market is evolving and what the data means for the businesses and investors operating within it. Under the theme THRIVE, the forum will explore market performance, consumer spending, operating costs, investment models, and opportunities for growth and expansion.
The programme will focus on the business realities facing the sector, with discussions looking at current market performance and outlook, changing consumer behaviour, the cost of doing business, supply chains, and how operators are adapting their businesses to changing conditions.
The partnership with DFRE will also place a spotlight on Dubai’s home-grown restaurant sector, with discussions exploring the businesses, founders, and operators shaping the local market, as well as the potential for UAE-born concepts to scale internationally.
Key themes at GRIF 2026
The programme will also include a founder-specific focus, subject matter workshops, and closed-door roundtables designed to support open, practical conversations.GRIF 2026 speakers
Confirmed and participating speakers include Natasha Sideris, Founder and CEO, Tashas Group; Benjamin Thouverez, Chief Development Officer, Big Mamma Group; Carolyn Turnbull, CEO, Nammos; Mathew D. Focht, Founding Managing Partner, EMERGING; Michiel Bakker, President, Culinary Institute of America; Jillian MacLean MBE, Founder, Drake & Morgan; Thomas Douzis, Co-Founder and CEO, ERGON Foods; Ashley Saxton, Global COO, Food & Beverage, DIAFA Investment Holdings; Tom Arnel, Founder, EATX; Lorenzo Marras, President – Dining, Sunset Hospitality Group; Christopher Hewett, Executive Vice President, Marjan Hospitality; Tyrone Reid, Group CEO, MMI and Emirates Leisure Retail; Tony Habre, Founder, AlphaMind; André Gerschel, Section Chief, Abu Dhabi Culinary Investment Fund; and Amit Nayak, Vice Chairman, UAE Restaurants Group.GRIF 2026 is supported by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), as Strategic Partner; Paperchase and Project People & Food People as Community Partners; Forsite Creative as Founding Partner of CREATE at GRIF; Benchmarket as Market Intelligence Partner; Mezza as Capital and Growth Partner; and UAERG as Industry Partner. Josette and The Guild are Experience Partners.“GRIF 2026 is about honest conversations on where the industry is now and what it needs to do to build for the long term,” said Jennifer Pettinger-Haines, Founder of The GRIF Collective. “THRIVE is about looking beyond survival and focusing on the ideas, leadership and relationships that help businesses adapt and grow.”Omar Saideh, Founder of Orange Holding, added: “Dubai’s hospitality sector has always been defined by resilience and ambition. This is an opportunity to use data, insight and collaboration to identify where the next wave of growth will come from.”Further speakers and programme details will be announced in the lead-up to the forum.
Related reading: Emirates Franchise Association Highlights Franchising’s Role in Scaling UAE Food Brands and Strengthening Sector Resilience at Future Food Forum 2026
Ahmed Abdul Wasey
Managing Editor, Eat ‘N Stays
Ahmed Abdul Wasey is the Managing Editor in Eat ‘N Stays, overseeing all editorial coverage of travel, hospitality, and food across Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf region. He sets the publication’s editorial direction and reviews coverage across hotels, restaurants, tourism, cruise, and industry news before it publishes.
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