Ahmad Al-Zaini: Revolutionizing the F&B Industry with Innovative FoodTech Solutions

Ahmad Al-Zaini, Co-Founder and CEO of Foodics, has been at the forefront of revolutionizing the Food and Beverage (F&B) industry in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) through cutting-edge technology. Founded in 2014 in Saudi Arabia, Foodics has grown into a leading restaurant operations and financial management technology company, reshaping how businesses in the F&B sector operate and grow.

Transforming the F&B Landscape

Ahmad Al-Zaini identified a significant gap in the Saudi F&B sector—outdated ordering processes and operational inefficiencies were holding back restaurants. Driven by a vision to modernize the industry, he developed a comprehensive tech ecosystem that streamlines restaurant operations and enhances efficiency. This vision evolved into Foodics, an end-to-end restaurant management and fintech platform that enables F&B owners and merchants to improve operations, enhance customer experiences, and fast-track business growth.

Expansion into the UAE and Beyond

In 2017, Foodics expanded into the UAE, addressing the operational challenges faced by regional F&B businesses and catering to a broader market. Today, the company operates from eight offices across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, and the Netherlands. With over 650 employees, Foodics serves every segment of the F&B industry, including dine-in restaurants, cafés, quick-service restaurants, bakeries, food trucks, and cloud kitchens.

Major Milestones

Under Ahmad’s leadership, Foodics achieved several milestones:

• Record Funding: In 2022, the company raised $170 million in the largest SaaS Series C funding round in MENA, led by global tech investors Prosus and Sanabil Investments. Other contributors included Sequoia Capital India and existing investors like STV and Vision Ventures.

• Licensing and Transactions: Foodics became formally licensed as a fintech company by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) and has processed over six billion transactions on its platform.

• Global Recognition: Ahmad has received accolades such as the Forbes Award for Entrepreneurs Shaping Saudi Arabia’s Future and recognition by Endeavor Global as a high-impact entrepreneur.

Commitment to Excellence and Innovation

Ahmad’s entrepreneurial journey reflects his dedication to fostering a culture of excellence and innovation. A Harvard Business School, Stanford Graduate School of Business, and MIT alumnus, he remains active in the entrepreneurial ecosystem as a board advisor, business consultant, and angel investor in tech startups. His leadership has been instrumental in embedding customer-centric values within Foodics, inspiring his team to understand and address customer needs effectively.

The Future of FoodTech

As Foodics continues to grow, its impact on the F&B industry remains unparalleled. The company’s mission to empower restaurateurs with innovative technology solutions is reshaping the future of food service in the region and beyond.