Say ‘allo’ to authentic Lebanese street food in Riyadh

Echoing the nostalgia of Beirut’s golden age, Allo Beirut’s aesthetic marries a contemporary take on 1960s Levantine design with vibrant Middle Eastern pop culture elements.
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Updated 10 June 2024
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Say ‘allo’ to authentic Lebanese street food in Riyadh

Apparel Group, a retail and lifestyle conglomerate, has announced the expansion of Allo Beirut, a Dubai-born Lebanese street food eatery, into Saudi Arabia. The first outlet is located in the vibrant district of Olaya, Riyadh. Following a successful tenure in Dubai, the popular restaurant is poised to charm food enthusiasts across the GCC, with plans to open four stores this year and targeting 25-30 more over the next five years.

Echoing the nostalgia of Beirut’s golden age, the 1940s to 1960s, Allo Beirut’s aesthetic marries a contemporary take on 1960s Levantine design with vibrant Middle Eastern pop culture elements. The design of the store recreates the feel of a bustling Beirut street corner, offering a mix of traditional food stalls and modern dining experiences that cater to a cosmopolitan clientele.

Allo Beirut prides itself on a diverse menu that spans several categories, including shawarma, falafel, grills, manakeesh, and sandwiches. Designed to cater to every palate, the menu features authentic Lebanese flavors made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. The restaurant is open 24/7, ensuring that it can meet the cravings of customers at any time of the day or night, embodying the promise of “Everyone, All Day, Every Day.”

“In an era where authenticity and quality define consumer preferences, Allo Beirut is set to carve a niche in the culinary landscape of the GCC,” said Neeraj Teckchandani, CEO of Apparel Group. “Our expansion into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia represents a strategic step toward introducing a rich Lebanese culinary tradition to a new audience, providing them with an authentic dining experience that is both accessible and enjoyable.”

The interactive, open kitchen layout allows guests to watch as their meals are prepared, fostering a lively dining environment that is as engaging as it is appetizing. This approachable setting enhances the dining experience, encouraging repeat visits and creating lasting memories for diners.

“As Allo Beirut embarks on this exciting new chapter in the Kingdom, Apparel Group looks forward to bringing Lebanese culinary delights to more diners across the GCC in the coming years,” the group said in a statement. “Allo Beirut is set to become a cornerstone of the region’s dining scene, blending tradition with innovation and a commitment to excellence.”


Schneider Electric launches academy in Saudi Arabia to build future-ready talent

Updated 04 February 2026
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Schneider Electric launches academy in Saudi Arabia to build future-ready talent

Schneider Electric has announced the launch of the Energy Tech Academy Middle East and Africa in Saudi Arabia, a regional capability platform dedicated to skilling, upskilling, and knowledge sharing.

The launch comes at a critical moment as the Kingdom accelerates energy transition, industrial localization, and human capability development under Vision 2030. The academy reinforces the Kingdom’s leadership role in building future-ready talent while supporting industrial and energy transformation across the wider Middle East and Africa region.

The Energy Tech Academy Middle East and Africa is not a traditional training center; it is a regional platform translating Schneider Electric’s global energy technology expertise into applied capability for Saudi Arabia and the broader region. Anchored in Riyadh, the academy is designed to serve as a benchmark for skills development and enablement across the MEA.

The launch reflects Schneider Electric’s long-term commitment to investing in people and capabilities, and to supporting national priorities across energy, industry, and digital infrastructure.

Mohamed Shaheen, cluster president of Schneider Electric Saudi Arabia and Yemen, said: “This launch reflects our long-term commitment to Saudi Arabia and to building capability that lasts. After more than 40 years in the Kingdom, we continue to invest where impact matters most: in people. Launching the Energy Tech Academy Middle East and Africa from Riyadh underscores our belief that sustainable transformation is built on local capability and trusted partnerships.”

The academy directly supports Saudi Arabia’s focus on human capability development, localization, and Saudi-made outcomes by enabling the skills behind advanced energy systems, industrial automation, and digital infrastructure. Capabilities developed through the academy will support Saudi manufacturing, national projects, and resilient supply chains, while also strengthening regional industrial ecosystems.

“The Energy Tech Academy Middle East and Africa is designed to enable real outcomes,” said Walid Sheta, zone president for the MEA at Schneider Electric. “By equipping talent with future-ready skills across electrification, automation, and digital intelligence, we are strengthening Saudi and regional capability to design, operate, and lead the energy and industrial systems of the future.”

The launch event in Riyadh brought together senior government representatives, industry partners, customers, and Schneider Electric’s leadership, highlighting the importance of cross-sector collaboration in aligning education, skills development, and labor market needs.

Designed as a long-term platform, the Energy Tech Academy Middle East and Africa will continue to evolve through partnerships, programs, and continuous capability development, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s role as a regional hub for skills, knowledge, and industrial enablement.