About the Business
Hot Brands International: A Culinary Journey from Dubai to the World
Welcome to Hot Brands International, a culinary powerhouse headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). As one of the region’s fastest-growing food service companies, we take immense pride in marketing an exclusive array of ethnic food restaurants in Quick Service (QSR) and Casual Dining (CDR) formats. Our diverse range currently includes Indian, Chinese, Italian, Thai, and Japanese cuisine, each masterfully crafted to embody the flavors and cultures of their respective countries.
Our Story:
Our journey began as a humble proprietorship in May 1992, with the launch of ‘Fresh Choice,’ the pioneering food court outlet at Barjuman Shopping Centre, Dubai. From these modest origins, we swiftly catapulted to success and expanded our presence in various UAE shopping malls. Recognizing the immense potential of the industry, we introduced new concepts, including ‘Fillings’ in December 1992, ‘Shamiana’ in 1993, and ‘Sala Thai’ in 1994.
By the end of 1995, the opening of the Middle East’s largest shopping center, Deira City Centre, paved the way for us to replicate our most popular concepts, ‘Shamiana’ and ‘Fillings.’ Our growth trajectory since 2000 has been nothing short of exponential, marked by numerous milestones. In October 2001, we ventured outside the UAE with our first international location at Muscat City Centre in Oman. We introduced ‘Magic Wok’ in 2001, offering Chinese cuisine, and ‘Santino’s’ in 2002, serving Italian pizzas and pastas. Notable additions also include ‘Sugoi!’ Japanese Cuisine in 2005 at Ibn Battuta Mall, Dubai.
Diversifying the dining experience, we ventured into the casual dining sector, and ‘Pane Caldo,’ later known as ‘Santino’s Bistro Italiano,’ opened its doors in Muscat, Oman, in June 2005. This journey continued with ‘Haru,’ offering Japanese Robatayaki Cuisine, debuting in the Green Community West, Dubai, in April 2006.
As we expand globally, we constantly innovate and invest in R&D to drive overseas growth, with a focus on franchising services to penetrate key strategic regions. A defining feature of our success is the development of all our branded concepts internally, following extensive research and development.
Today, Hot Brands International operates over 40 outlets across the Middle East, India, and South Africa, boasting eight branded dining concepts. With plans to launch 50 more stores by the end of 2007, we remain committed to our core values of innovative food concepts, exceptional customer experiences, and professional expertise.
As a UAE-based company with international ambitions, we’ve established regional offices to support training, logistics, operations, and marketing in Kuwait, Oman, India, and South Africa. Our executives are also members of esteemed organizations like the International Council of Shopping Centers, the Middle East Council of Shopping Centers, the Franchising Association of India, and the Canadian Business Council of Dubai.
Join us on this exciting culinary adventure as we continue to expand our footprint, offering diverse and delectable dining experiences worldwide.
