Lebanon’s seasoned F&B operators talk challenges and secrets to success

ENAR

When it comes to the food and beverage (F&B) industry, Lebanon is a country of contradictions. Although no exact figures are available, those in the industry largely believe that almost the same number of restuarants that closed have also opened. In certain areas, such as the summer hotspot Broummana or in Gemmayze with its restaurants, footfall and the number of new venues is increasing, while in other areas, such as Jounieh and Antelias, customer traffic is slowly dying down. The country is facing an economic crisis, and yet many of the city’s restaurants and bars are abuzz with people having a good time. Operating a restaurant or club in such a mercurial economic climate is not an easy task, and indeed many have failed. Today, only the fittest in the industry are surviving and growing their businesses, despite decreasing purchasing power among locals and tourist levels still down from their