Just Falafel role model for emerging business in the region: CEO Dubai SME

The Dubai government official tasked with supporting the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the emirate has held up restaurant chain Just Falafel as a “model for any emerging business in the region”.
Abdul Baset Al Janahi, CEO of Dubai SME, part of the Department of Economic Development (DED) made the remarks as he called upon SMEs to embrace principles of corporate governance and shared details of his organisation’s ‘nine pillars’ to do so.
Dubai SME wants firms to “adopt open, transparent and formalised processes and procedures to foster growth” - no matter their size.
“Previously, the concept of corporate governance has been limited to larger, publicly-listed companies with diverse interests - smaller organisations were either intimidated by the prospect or thought it doesn’t apply to them,” SME expert Al Janahi said.
He singled out Just Falafel, the fast-growing franchised restaurant chain that has expanded from its UAE base into several other countries including the United Kingdom, as the kind of firm other budding businesses should look to emulate.
“Just Falafel is a role model for any emerging business in the region - the team established its corporate governance policy as a key driver for regional and international growth, and is reaping the rewards in terms of expansion and attracting franchise partners around the world,” he said.
Dubai SME has made a number of corporate governance case studies relating to existing UAE firms - including that of Just Falafel - available for download on its website.