LBS x Kitopi
- Mar 1, 2022
- 2 min read
“A typical restaurant in Dubai, pre-covid, made around 40% of its revenue on delivery. Today, that same restaurant because of covid is making 85-90% of its revenue through delivery,” said Bader Ataya, Chief Growth Officer and Cofounder of Kitopi at LBS’s Middle East Insight’s panel.
At 50 kitchens in the gulf, 150 brands, and 4 new brands per market every 2 weeks, Kitopi is well on its way to achieve its mission of satisfying the world’s appetite. “We want to open up to 6 new markets next year, we can’t tell you which ones those are - just stay tuned to our website.”
Ataya noted that there are a multitude of opportunities ahead, not just for cloud kitchens like Kitopi, but the F&B industry as a whole. But, the true winners were the ones who pioneered and were first movers, both titles Kitopi can claim a prize for. “We built SKOS or our Smart-tech Kitchen Operating System, which is our in-house, self-built tech solution. This helps us to scale, monitor, and track the food made to ensure it maintains brand standards.”
Bader also talked about continuously prioritizing the customer and always trying to foresee and deliver what they need, on their terms. “We’ve invested in a CX experience center and consistent training to help with this.”
A larger part of the focus of the event was on how Kitopi, not only survived the pandemic but thrived from it.
Ataya explained that when Covid hit with the initial lockdown, there was a strong reluctance when it came to food delivery, hence, the F&B industry was heavily impacted. “We experienced a significant decline in orders, therefore, enhancing and ensuring health and safety became our top priority.”
He went on to explain how Kitopi installed thermal cameras and AI tech to help their people keep a check on their health in the kitchens. Kitopi was also one of the first organizations in the Middle East to launch a work from anywhere policy, amidst a pandemic, to protect their mental and physical wellbeing.
To hear more of Bader’s talk with LBS, check out the full video!
Cloud kitchens and delivery-first restaurants rely heavily on accurate digital information, which is where a restaurant menu database becomes increasingly valuable. As brands expand across multiple kitchens and markets, maintaining consistent menu details, pricing, ingredients, and availability across delivery platforms can quickly become complex. A structured system that stores and organizes menu data helps operators update items efficiently, reduce errors across apps, and keep brand standards consistent even when a concept is running in dozens of locations. In fast-scaling environments like those described for Kitopi, reliable menu data management can quietly play a major role in operational efficiency and customer experience.
The post highlights how the pandemic reshaped the restaurant industry in places like Dubai, where delivery grew from about 40% of revenue to nearly 90%, pushing companies like Kitopi to scale cloud kitchens and innovate with systems like SKOS to maintain quality and efficiency.
As noted in discussions about the global food service industry on Wikipedia, digital ordering, delivery logistics, and customer-focused technology became critical for restaurants adapting to changing consumer behavior during and after COVID-19.
This shift toward convenient dining also complements how structured offerings like the olive garden food menu help brands deliver consistent favorites such as pasta, soups, salads, and breadsticks to customers both in-restaurant and through deliver
Bader Ataya highlights how Dubai restaurants shifted dramatically toward delivery during COVID-19, with cloud kitchens like Kitopi leveraging technology and smart operations to scale efficiently while maintaining brand quality. Wikipedia notes that cloud kitchens, also called ghost kitchens, are professional food preparation facilities optimized for delivery-only services, enabling rapid growth and operational efficiency in the food industry. For diners seeking consistency, variety, and a trusted menu experience, exploring the best food menu Olive Garden provides a reliable and enjoyable option
This collaboration between LBS and Kitopi sounds really exciting! Combining innovative cloud kitchen solutions with quality food delivery can really elevate the dining experience. Can’t wait to see the variety of dishes they bring to customers!
Kitopi’s rapid adaptation during COVID-19 demonstrates how cloud kitchens and innovative tech, like their Smart-tech Kitchen Operating System (SKOS), enabled them to scale operations, maintain quality, and meet the surge in delivery demand. Wikipedia notes that cloud kitchens, also called ghost kitchens, have reshaped the F&B industry by prioritizing delivery efficiency and customer experience over traditional dine-in models. For food enthusiasts and restaurateurs alike, exploring thoughtfully curated Best Food Menus can inspire ideas that balance flavor, safety, and customer satisfaction.