Saudi Arabia’s restaurant and café sector is experiencing rapid growth, fueled by a young population and rising disposable incomes, making the country an attractive market for international brands. The sector is expected to expand further, supported by new investment laws and government initiatives.
Saudi Arabia, one of the largest markets in the region, is witnessing a boom in its restaurant and café industry, with both local and international brands competing for market share. The sector is expected to grow even more with the introduction of the new investment law, designed to attract investors by simplifying investment procedures.
The Saudi government recently approved a new investment system, which is seen as a significant move to stimulate foreign investment and support local businesses.
According to Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih the law builds on previous reforms, ensuring a supportive and secure environment for both domestic and international investors.
Sales in Saudi restaurants and cafés reached SAR 23.96 billion ($6.38 billion) in the second half of 2024, a 30.6% increase compared to the same period in 2022.
The sector saw continued growth, with restaurant sales rising by 13.66% to SAR 89.3 billion ($23.8 billion) in 2023, up from SAR 78.6 billion the previous year.
Spending in cafés and restaurants accounted for 14.76% of total sales transactions across all sectors during this period.
The restaurant and café sector plays a crucial role in Saudi Arabia’s Quality of Life program and Vision 2030, as it boosts the Kingdom’s lifestyle and aims to reach 3,000 restaurants and over 1,000 cafés per million residents by 2030.
Research firm Mordor Intelligence expects the Saudi food service market to grow from $27.18 billion in 2024 to $42.48 billion by 2029, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.34%.
The café sector, in particular, is expected to grow at an annual rate of 11.74%, driven by increasing demand for social and workspaces. Saudi Arabia already hosts over 40% of the Middle East’s 8,800 branded cafés.
In line with this growth, the Lavoya Restaurants Group, which operates fast-food chains across the Gulf, is expanding in Saudi Arabia. Najib Yaacoub, Chief Operations Officer at Lavoya Restaurants Group, said the expansion will create job opportunities and contribute to the national goal of increasing employment in the hospitality sector.
