Maroun El Hajj
Managing Director
Profile summary
Hospitality executive with 25+ years of experience leading large-volume, multi-unit Food & Beverage operations. Drove double-digit revenue growth and built scalable SOPs for multi-brand portfolios, with expertise in preopening, concept development, and P&L ownership. Committed to delivering consistent guest experiences and aligning operations with global standards.
Career highlights
Delivered 32% Revenue Growth: Revenue Growth: Achieved 32% revenue growth in 2025 and 25% growth in January 2026 across 1,300+ F&B outlets.
Closed 20+ Franchise Agreements: Franchise Development: Negotiated and finalized over 20 franchise agreements, maintaining a consistent 15% year-over-year growth rate.
Standardized GCC and European Operations: Operations Standardization: Built cross-regional SOPs, toolkits, and compliance frameworks standardizing operations for over 1,300 international outlets.
Key skills
Professional experience
Managed the complete preopening, market entry, and operational setup for a luxury F&B brand across Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. This involved overseeing all aspects of brand establishment and operational readiness in new markets.
- Negotiated franchise agreements and directed legal, regulatory, and financial setup
- Designed staffing, training, and SOP frameworks to embed luxury service standards
- Led PR activations and opening events
Managed operations, finance, compliance, and guest experience across more than 1,300 retail outlets. Ensured adherence to standards and delivered a consistent guest experience throughout the multiunit portfolio.
- Delivered 32% revenue growth in 2025 and 25% growth in January 2026 through operational excellence and strategic expansion
- Built cross‑regional SOPs, toolkits, and compliance frameworks standardizing operations across GCC and Europe
- Implemented KPI reporting and executive dashboards to improve visibility of commercial performance
- Partnered with culinary teams to optimize menu mix and improve product quality and guest satisfaction
Led multiunit operations and menu enhancements, enforcing Standard Operating Procedures and food safety standards.
- Launched regional franchise sales and scalable growth models
Taught courses on Franchising, Infrastructure, Cost Control, and Menu Engineering. Instruction incorporated real-world case studies and financial analysis.
Led regional expansion initiatives and managed franchise operations. This role involved overseeing the growth of the company's presence within specific geographic areas and maintaining relationships with franchise partners. Key responsibilities included developing and executing strategies for market penetration and ensuring franchise compliance.
- Closed 20+ franchise agreements for Casper & Gambini’s, Eatalian, and Falafel Nadia
- Achieved sustained 15% YOY growth
- Streamlined supplier contracts, reducing procurement costs by 12% while maintaining quality
Led the launch and expansion of Kuwait's first international franchise portfolio.
- Expanded portfolio with 4 new stores in under two years
- Established Central Delivery Unit achieving 1,300 orders/day
- Maintained food costs at 28%
Managed daily multioutlet operations.
- Introduced upselling and training programs that increased revenue