A New Experiential Hospitality Group, Limestone Lab, Launches With A Strong Pipeline Of F&B Ventures
The UAE welcomes a new experience-driven, hospitality group to the market, Limestone Lab, a company with a vision of introducing new and innovative hospitality concepts to the UAE social and dining scene.
With the notion of “re-imagining” hospitality experiences, Limestone Lab is set to roll out a lineup of unique concepts to the market between Q4 of 2021 and Q4 of 2023, with a disruptive approach to the traditional brick-and-mortar models. The company’s solid pipeline of bespoke F&B venues will be nothing short of innovative and cultural, boasting of interactive experiences, socially-elevated ambiances, which will be paired with culturally-infused cuisines and themes. Limestone Lab will also bring together a team of prominent designers, architects, hospitality experts to create thoughtfully designed properties located in unexpected destinations. All the venues will be unified by a common goal: to create spaces and experiences that hold lasting memories.
Founded by Dubai-based serial entrepreneurs, Hassan Ballout and Hani Doueik, the formation of the company was an inherent process sparked by the passion of these two businessmen, accompanied by their extensive hospitality expertise, to bring truly inspirational F&B and nightlife concepts to the UAE. Ballout, CEO of Limestone Lab, is most known for his recent position as Chief Growth Officer for Seven Management, where he launched and managed Seven Sisters and Antika Bar in Dubai. Ballout has in addition co-created and rolled out 12 virtual restaurant brands in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait & Saudi Arabia, including Tawook Nation, Luca, Japang and Vigilante, to name a few. Alongside Ballout, Hani Doueik will also serve as the Co-Founder and COO of Limestone Lab. Doueik prides over a decade of experience in consulting multiple international brands within creative advertising and digital solutions, as well as managing and founding successful F&B outlets in Lebanon.
In a vibrant city like Dubai, which serves as the Middle East’s undisputed nightlife hub, the development and growth of the F&B sector has been particularly significant for its ongoing evolution. According to Commitbiz, the rise of food sales in the UAE was projected at 4.6% in 2019 and an average compound growth rate of 6% for 2019-2023 was predicted. Relatively, the beverages market sales grew by 6.9% in 2019 and at an average compound rate of 6% between 2019-2022. These industry figures demonstrate that companies such as Limestone Lab will be emerging during a significant time and attributing to these rising figures, it will equally witness higher consumer demand.
Speaking on the launch of the latest hospitality venture, CEO & Co-Founder of Limestone Lab, Hassan Ballout said: “The F&B market in the UAE has always been accompanied by an upbeat level of social interaction, whether with friends, family or new acquaintances, and we have made this the foundation of Limestone Lab. This has motivated us to conceptualize a series of awe-inspiring social and dining venues that will bring people together under one roof to enjoy unforgettable experiential, cultural and dining experiences.”
