MHD Ali Aldada is the Founder and Managing Director of Horizon F & B Solutions. We found his profile to be very intriguing, especially when it came to his passion and experience in the hospitality industry. Starting as a financial accountant, he eventually reached this point in his career where he started his own company. With more than 15 years’ experience in the F&B industry working across different countries, he is a highly skilled professional. A team player with a keen eye for business strategies, he pays close attention to the details. Let’s learn more about him and his company below.
Nation’s Diverse Taste Buds & Entry In The F&B Industry
What’s the idea behind your company? We asked.
“There is no other country in the world like the UAE, where the nation’s taste buds are so diverse. The next cuisine to try for a foodie is just 20 minutes away. That’s always fascinated me, and I wanted to share this fascination with the people of my land. And that’s how Horizon began. It started with a true passion for food and hospitality.” said Aldada.
We further asked, “How did you begin your career journey? Do you have some advice for beginners?”
“I’ve spent the last 15 years building restaurants and providing consultancy services within the UAE and in Europe. The F&B and hospitality industry is very dynamic, and only those passionate about it can win the big games. This would also be my advice to a beginner – make sure you love building restaurants.” he replied.
Becoming The Premier Partners
We were also interested in knowing about his company’s goals, so we asked Aldada, “What is the goal of your company?”
“Horizon wants to be the premier partner for anyone who dreams of starting and sustaining a restaurant. There are many nuances to consider – restaurant concept, location, menu, audience, and so on.
Planning all this out and executing it is no small feat, and you shouldn’t have to do it alone. So, Horizon’s goal is to guide people to building profitable restaurant businesses that also align with their unique concepts.” He shared.
Communication As The Key To Team Success
We also wanted to know about Aldada’s views on teamwork. So, we asked him, “What makes the team successful, in your opinion?”
“Communication, communication, communication. This is similar to other industries, but even more so for an F&B business. Proper communication sets clear expectations across the table.” says Aldada.
We further asked, “How do you plan to motivate your team to go the extra mile?”
“Our team has a passion for food and hospitality, and this translates into every aspect of their work. Clients who work with us know that we don’t need to be told to go the extra mile. We’re always on the lookout for building Dubai’s finest restaurant environments, which is also why we selectively work with unique concepts.
Take, for example, choosing a location. When you bring your restaurant concept to us, we already have an idea of what location would be best for your target market. But we still make sure to go through the prime locations again because we love the chance to be proven wrong. It’s rare, but these learning opportunities help us deliver more than what’s agreed on paper.” replied Aldada.
Challenges & Innovation
We also wanted to know how Aldada and his company tackle challenges. So, we asked him, “What keeps your company moving forward even during challenges?”
He answered, “It’s a love for the UAE’s hospitality industry, especially food. UAE is the 4th largest foodie destination in the world, and Dubai alone has 12,000 restaurants. At the end of the day, a well-prepared meal brings a smile to a customer’s face. Or the pleasant ambiance can make a normal dining experience special. Things like these keep us moving forward.”
Do you use innovative ideas to be unique?
“We don’t try to bring everyday concepts to the Dubai foodie. We handpick specific restaurant ideas that bring something new to Dubai’s palate. Then, we match it with the founder’s vision – why are they building a restaurant?
When we are convinced that the team of founders and consultants are on the same page, we work our magic. What is the target market, and what is the best location to serve them? What is the restaurant’s positioning, and what cuisine do they like best? We find tiny elements in each of these questions to create unique positioning.” he shares.
Following The Dream & Passion
When we asked Aldada to share about Horizon’s services and upcoming plans, he replied:
“Horizon offers end-to-end solutions for all your F&B concerns. We provide 360-degree consultancy and advice to bring our clients’ dreams into reality. We find solutions for restaurants and provide the jolt of energy to begin or get back on the path of success.
Our way is not limited to the traditional and conventional way of conducting business. We begin by studying our clients’ ideas, match them with current market trends and demands, then create a bespoke solution and brand guidance.”
Our last question to MHD Ali Aldada was, “Would you like to say anything else to our viewers?”
He concludes by saying, “If you’ve always had the dream of running a restaurant, Dubai is the place for you. All you need to do is find the right people to keep around. But ensure you are passionate about it because you will need to match our energy.”
Connect with MHD Ali Aldada on LinkedIn.
Find Horizon F & B Solutions on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram
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