Abela & Co

What Abela & Co does

Abela & Co LLC is a UAE-based food service management company founded in 1967, headquartered in Dubai, and operating across healthcare, oil & gas, corporate, hospitality, education, industrial, and events verticals. The company runs outsourced staff catering, patient catering, banqueting, and food-trolley services through long-term enterprise contracts, alongside a portfolio of consumer-facing retail brands (Bean There Cafe & Bistro, Zaatar W' Aktar, Baydar, Happy Souls) and direct-to-consumer channels (Abela Online, Noon marketplace, Keeta delivery app).

The operating platform rests on a 4,000 sqm Central Processing Unit in Dubai (operational since March 2019) that produces ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook items, custom marinades, calibrated cuts, and private-label products for both B2B contracts and retail brands. Supporting capabilities include a Licensed Clinical Dietitian team for therapeutic nutrition, a Food Safety Training Center approved by multiple UAE municipalities, BICSc-certified housekeeping and support services, and a temperature-controlled delivery fleet certified by Dubai Municipality and the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority. The company holds HACCP (first in Dubai, 2003/2005), ISO 22000:2005, FSSC 22000 v6, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 45001:2018, and Halal certifications.

Revenue is generated through four primary streams: (1) B2B managed contract catering priced via custom quotes on multi-year terms; (2) one-time-paid retail brand sales across owned cafes and restaurants; (3) transaction-fee e-commerce via Abela Online, Noon, and Keeta; and (4) professional-services banqueting and support services (housekeeping, facility management, pest control, laundry, stewarding). The firm serves over 3,000 employees (per CEO profile), operates 240 kitchen facilities, produces more than 10,695 meals daily, and counts millions of customers served annually, with named enterprise and government clients including ADNOC, Capital Health, and Dubai Police.

Name

Abela & Co

Legal name

Abela & Co LLC

Website

https://abelaandco.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Abela & Co is a UAE-founded (1967) food service management company providing outsourced contract catering, banqueting, culinary manufacturing, housekeeping, and multi-brand retail F&B to healthcare, oil & gas, corporate, hospitality, education, and industrial clients across the Emirates.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Dubai

HQ country

United Arab Emirates

HQ region

Middle East

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. B2B Contract Catering: Long-term contracted food service management for corporate clients. Services include staff cafeteria catering, patient catering in healthcare, hotel staff catering, educational institution catering, and industrial/oilfield catering. Revenue generated through contractual arrangements with diverse sectors including healthcare, oil & gas, corporate, hotels, education, and industrial/construction.
2. Retail Food Brands: Consumer-facing restaurant and cafe brands including Bean There Cafe, Bean There Bistro, Zaatar W' Aktar (Mediterranean), and Baydar (Lebanese cuisine). Revenue from dine-in, grab-and-go, and retail food sales.
3. E-commerce / Online Platform: Abela Online marketplace launched December 2020 selling artisan products directly to consumers. Also distribution through third-party marketplaces (Noon) and delivery apps (Keeta for Happy Souls Kitchen).
4. Banqueting and Events: Premium buffet and a la carte services for private celebrations and corporate events including graduations, conferences, summits, and gala dinners. Mobilization capability for both indoor and outdoor venues on short notice.
5. Support Services: Housekeeping (BICSc-certified), facility management, waste management, pest control, porters, mailroom support, onsite laundry, and stewarding services for corporate clients and events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Abela & Co provides outsourced food service management for enterprises including staff cafeteria catering, patient catering for healthcare, banqueting for events, packed meal delivery, and housekeeping/support services. The company also operates a 4,000 sqm Central Processing Unit producing culinary solutions such as custom marinades, calibrated meat cuts, and ready-to-eat products, alongside consumer-facing F&B retail brands (Bean There, Zaatar W' Aktar, Baydar, Abela Fresh, Happy Souls Kitchen) and the Abela Online e-commerce marketplace.

Product overview

Abela & Co is a comprehensive food service company operating since 1967 in the UAE, offering a platform of integrated services and branded retail products. The core offering consists of Food Services (staff cafeteria, patient catering, events, packed meals), Culinary Solutions (central processing unit with marinating, cutting, and packaging capabilities), Housekeeping & Support Services, Office Support Services, and Banqueting Services. The retail portfolio includes Bean There Cafe & Bistro, Zaatar W' Aktar, Baydar, and Abela Fresh, complemented by Abela Online e-commerce marketplace. The company serves diverse sectors including healthcare, oil & gas, hospitality, corporate, education, and industrial/construction, producing over 10,695 meals daily across 240 kitchen facilities with 24/7 operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bean There: Home-grown café brand serving gourmet sandwiches, wraps, salads, and beverages. Includes Bean There Cafe and Bean There Bistro concepts.
• Bean There Bistro
• Zaatar W' Aktar
• Baydar
• Abela Fresh
• Happy Souls
• Abela Online
• Abela & Co Culinary Solutions

Products and services

• Food Services Comprehensive food service management encompassing staff cafeteria services, patient catering for healthcare, retail and vending operations, corporate and private event catering, packed meal deliveries, and food trolley services for enterprise clients.
• Culinary Solutions State-of-the-art Central Processing Unit (CPU) in Dubai spanning 4,000 square meters offering custom marinades, meat and poultry calibration cuts, cut vegetables, variable packaging solutions (Ready to Eat and Ready to Cook), multi-cuisine products, and customized recipes with private labeling.
• Housekeeping & Support Services Comprehensive housekeeping services including general cleaning, external facade cleaning, onsite waste management, pest control, porters and mailroom support, onsite laundry assistance, and event stewarding. Team is BICSc certified.
• Office Support Services Facilities management and guest reception services designed to ensure seamless workplace operations beyond conventional office support duties.
• Banqueting Services Premium buffet services and a la carte offerings for celebrations such as birthdays, anniversaries, and family gatherings, specializing in Western, Arabic, and Asian cuisines with mobilization for indoor and outdoor venues on short notice.
• Bean There Cafe & Bistro F&B retail brand featuring gourmet sandwiches, pizzas, flatbreads, exotic salads, pastries, and specialty coffees. Bean There Cafe offers a laid-back coffee shop experience while Bean There Bistro provides upscale contemporary dining with alfresco dining and Shisha area.
• Zaatar W' Aktar Mediterranean/Lebanese restaurant brand offering authentic on-the-go meals including manakish, shawarma, falafel, and Lebanese snacks with a health-conscious twist using quality ingredients like olive oil, fresh spinach, and lean proteins.
• Baydar Authentic Lebanese cuisine restaurant serving homemade recipes including Mezzes, meat arayes, shish kebabs, and shish tawouk in a relaxed casual ambiance with family-friendly environment.
• Abela Fresh Ready-to-eat food brand synonymous with homemade, accessible food for people on the go.
• Happy Souls Kitchen Grab & Go trolley service carrying sandwiches, pizza muffins, ready-to-eat meals, salads, treats, desserts, fresh juices, healthy bars, yoghurts and more for workplace dining. Also available on Keeta App for delivery within 17 km radius.
• Abela Online Online marketplace launched in December 2020 offering homemade artisan products made using time-honored recipes and highest quality ingredients, delivered to customers' doorsteps.

Quantifiable outcome

• 89% employee engagement rate
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles8 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• KeetacoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 2 October 2025Keeta App partnership launched October 2025 for Happy Souls Kitchen food delivery service. Abela & Co's signature dishes delivered within 17km radius through Keeta's delivery platform, expanding direct-to-consumer reach in Dubai.
• NooncoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 2 October 2025E-commerce marketplace distribution partnership for Abela products. Following success of Happy Souls Kitchen on Keeta, the company expanded digital retail presence through Noon's regional marketplace.
• Capital Health - Specialized Rehabilitation HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 May 2023Partnership to operate Bean There cafe within Capital Health hospital premises. Abela extends culinary expertise and dining experience design to enhance healthcare setting environment for patients, visitors, and staff.
• Emirates Environmental GroupminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 March 2023Long-standing partnership for environmental campaigns including recycling programs. Abela participates in mobile can collection campaigns and various sustainability initiatives organized by the group.
• Dubai MunicipalityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 March 2023Collaboration on environmental and food safety initiatives. Abela's Food Safety Training Center is approved by Dubai Municipality, and company participates in municipal recycling and sustainability campaigns.
• Lootah BiofuelsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 March 2023Sustainability partnership since 2013 for converting used cooking oil into biofuel. Abela provides used cooking oil from kitchens; 2 vehicles operate using this recycled biofuel. Received multiple sustainability partner awards.
• Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 March 2023Implementation of SEHHI (WEQAYA) program in Abu Dhabi healthcare facilities and food outlets. Promotes healthy food choices and nutrition awareness aligned with Emirate's vision for healthier community.
• Emirates Red CrescentminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 March 2023CSR partnership for humanitarian initiatives including earthquake relief for Syria and Turkey victims. Abela donated 100 meals as part of Limmat Khair initiative for International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste.
• Beit Al Khair SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 March 2023CSR partnership supporting underprivileged communities. Abela supports through donations and community service activities.
• Dubai Centre for Special NeedsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 March 2023CSR partnership providing support for summer celebrations events, organizing fun cooking workshops, and conducting culinary sessions for students with special needs.
• Emirates Down Syndrome AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 March 2023Supported organization in developing an in-house kitchen and conducted culinary sessions for students, providing vocational training and employment opportunities.
• Al Shawab Elderly HomeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 March 2023CSR partnership celebrating special occasions with elderly residents at Al Shawab Centre in Mamzar, bringing joy and community connection.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Bidfood UAE: UAE foodservice distribution and supply company serving hotels, restaurants, and catering operators. Comparable as an upstream supplier/ecosystem participant to Abela's contract catering and culinary solutions operations.

Regional players

• National Catering Company (Saudi Arabia): Saudi-based contract catering company serving oil & gas, corporate, healthcare, and government sectors. Closest regional peer to Abela by operating model and customer mix, but operating primarily in Saudi Arabia rather than UAE.
• Americana Group: Leading Middle East food operator with restaurant franchises and food manufacturing. Adjacent competitor for retail F&B brands and culinary solutions customers in the MENA region, though primarily franchise-based rather than contract catering.

Broad incumbents

• Compass Group: World's largest contract foodservice company, parent of ADNH Compass Middle East. Provides the global scale and procurement leverage that Abela competes against for large multi-site enterprise contracts.
• ISS A/S: Global facility services company offering integrated services including catering, cleaning, and workplace support. Comparable to Abela's bundled food service plus housekeeping/support services offering, particularly for large enterprise clients.
• Elior Group: French-based international contract catering and food services group operating in business & industry, healthcare, education, and leisure. Operates as a broader international incumbent comparable to Abela's multi-sector contract model.
• Sodexo: Global food services and facilities management giant operating across multiple sectors including healthcare, corporate, and education. Operates in UAE/Middle East but as part of a global portfolio rather than specializing regionally like Abela.

Emerging players

• Catermed: Specialized healthcare catering and nutrition services provider. Comparable to Abela's clinical nutrition and healthcare segment including dietitian-led therapeutic menu planning.

Direct peers

• Emirates Flight Catering: UAE-based contract catering company serving aviation, hospitality, and institutional clients. Most direct competitor to Abela in the UAE contract food service market, with comparable scale and similar enterprise customer profile.
• ADNH Compass Middle East: Joint venture between Abu Dhabi National Hotels and Compass Group providing contract catering across UAE. Directly comparable in offering outsourced food service to corporate, healthcare, and institutional clients in the same geography as Abela.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/abelaonline
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/abela-&-co
• Instagraminstagram.com/abelaonlineuae

Compliance11 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Abela & Co