Starting from its origins in Beirut, and evolving into a pioneer of nightlife in Dubai and other regions, 7 Management is now closely associated with experience-focused hospitality. However, what is required to transform a single venue into a regional empire?
In a conversation with Euronews,7 Management GroupCEO Rabih Fakhreddine discusses merging entertainment with planning, the reasons why the future of the food and beverage sector is multi-sensory, and how his team is creating a brand that extends well beyond the dining table.
On 7 Management’s mission
For those who are unfamiliar, could you please introduce yourself as 7 Management and highlight what distinguishes you in the hospitality and entertainment sectors?
7 Management is a prominent hospitality and entertainment group that originated from a strong enthusiasm for crafting memorable experiences. It began in Beirut and has since expanded into a varied, acclaimed collection of unique concepts throughout the Middle East and Europe, with its headquarters now located in Dubai.
What distinguishes us is our capability to combine high-end dining, engaging narratives, and top-tier entertainment all in one place. Each space we develop is thoughtfully crafted to elicit feelings and foster relationships. In addition to our local brands, we also oversee well-known franchises and provide comprehensive F&B [food and beverage] services for major locations. It's a full-circle hospitality environment that merges innovation with a calculated business approach.
Our slogan is “Creating experiences beyond hospitality”, as for us, it's never merely about food or service, but about experiences that create a lasting impression.
You started 7 Management with one location. Now, you've created renowned venues throughout the region – what has driven the brand's development?
From the very beginning, our vision for 7 Management has been worldwide. We never planned to remain limited to a single city or a single kind of experience. From our first venue,7 Sisters Dubai, we developed ideas with global appeal, capable of adjusting to various markets, connecting with a wide range of audiences, and maintaining a unique character.
This way of thinking influenced the development of our brand. We didn't merely construct spaces; we developed expandable hospitality solutions. Currently, we are not only introducing new local brands, but we are also securing franchise rights for globally recognized names, and exporting our own concepts to be managed by partners around the world.
At each stage, the objective has stayed consistent: to develop experiences that are culturally meaningful, financially sustainable, and emotionally compelling, regardless of their location.
What strategies do you employ to ensure quality and uniformity throughout your range as you experience swift expansion?
Achieving swift expansion while maintaining quality and uniformity begins with establishing a solid base, well-defined guidelines, a skilled workforce, and an environment that values top-notch performance. We don't merely launch locations; we create teams that are completely in sync with our objectives.
Each new idea, regardless of being locally developed or part of a franchise, is backed by specialized training, strict quality assurance, and continuous interaction throughout all regions. This ensures our growth doesn't affect the key aspect: the customer's experience.
On creative vision
February 30, The Theater and Lucia’shave turned into landmarks in their own right. What causes a place to remain etched in the cultural memory of a city?
In a metropolis where the atmosphere is always changing, I am pleased that numerous of our spots have turned into essential hospitality icons. The factor that truly makes a place 'endure' is relationship. It needs to appear genuine and provide something new, whether it's in the vibe, the cuisine, or the ambiance.
It's not solely about the cuisine or the aesthetics, but rather about the emotions a place evokes. A location turns into an icon when it conveys feelings, fosters connections, and becomes intertwined with people's narratives. At February 30, The Theater, and Lucia’s, we aim to craft multi-dimensional experiences that seamlessly combine service, entertainment, and ambiance, delivering something that feels natural yet remains unforgettable.
From the vibrancy of the audience to the tiniest aspect, each component is carefully designed to make an impact. When a space turns into a location that people keep coming back to, where they celebrate and discuss, it ceases to be merely a venue and evolves into a part of the city's character.
Several of your locations merge the boundaries between eating, socializing, and entertainment. Could this represent the upcoming trend in the hospitality industry?
Certainly. Today's visitors are seeking more than a conventional meal or a basic evening out; they desire an emotional connection, a sense of immersion, and unexpected experiences. That's why we have consistently focused on blending the lines between dining, nightlife, and performance.
When you bring together excellent cuisine, ambiance, music, and performance, you craft an experience that is much more unforgettable than any single component alone. This multi-sensory strategy is not only the future but is already changing the meaning of hospitality. It's no longer just about serving meals; it's about creating memorable moments.
On the future of 7 Management
Considering your growth plan — which markets or areas are upcoming?
Our growth approach is centered on expanding our locally developed brands and chosen franchise collaborations into regions where they can genuinely succeed. We have recently made a solid entry into Europe with the launch ofBagatelleand our locally developed concept Lucia’s, based in Athens, Greece, and we are actively seeking to grow into new locations. Lucia’s has shown strong appeal to people, and we are investigating major cities for its upcoming developments.
Meanwhile, we are broadening our range of offerings through franchise models such asEm Sherif, with Bucharest confirmed as one of the next destinations. We are also actively looking into possibilities in Spain, a country known for its vibrant culture and rich gastronomic traditions, as we expand our global presence.
Nearby, we continue to focus on Beirut, where we are bringing in well-known brands such asScalini and SALT, while continuing to grow throughout the UAE.
Two of our new releases in Dubai,Yubi, the UAE's first locally developed handroll sushi bar, and a contemporary neighborhood bar, will both debut at 25 Jump Street, where we have also recently reopened our renowned concept Antika.
We are particularly thrilled about 25 Jump Street, our collaboration with Ennismore, which will result in Dubai's first licensed street, a venture that combines 12 distinct concepts merging local innovation with international acclaim.
Ultimately, what makes this moment especially thrilling for you and your team?
This instant signifies the peak of years of commitment, imagination, and strategic daring. We are not merely growing, but transforming. The brands we once imagined are now influencing urban landscapes, surpassing geographical limits, and connecting with fresh audiences. That is truly fulfilling.
What adds to the thrill is the team involved, a dedicated group of people who have the same vision and enthusiasm. There's an impression that we're only at the beginning, and that enthusiasm is infectious. Each new opening, each new market, presents an opportunity to break limits and demonstrate that experiences outside of hospitality are not only feasible, but what people are seeking. It is deeply satisfying to witness our concepts take hold in new cities and connect with individuals from various cultures.
As I always say, the sky is the limit, and this moment serves as a reminder of how much passion, perseverance, and collaboration can achieve.
Uncover your next high-end adventure at7 Management.me.