From its roots in Beirut to its reinvention of nightlife in Dubai and beyond, 7 Management has become synonymous with experience-led hospitality. But what does it take to turn a single venue into a regional empire?
In an interview with Euronews, 7 Management Group CEO Rabih Fakhreddine speaks about blending spectacle with strategy, why the future of the food and beverage industry is multisensory, and how his team is building a brand that lives far beyond the dinner table.
On 7 Management’s mission
For those who don’t know, who are 7 Management and what sets you apart in hospitality and entertainment?
7 Management is a leading hospitality and entertainment group born out of a deep passion for creating unforgettable experiences. We started in Beirut and have grown into a diverse, award-winning portfolio of distinctive concepts across the Middle East and Europe with our headquarters now based in Dubai.
What sets us apart is our ability to blend elevated dining, immersive storytelling and world-class entertainment under one roof. Every venue we create is designed with intention, to evoke emotion and spark connection. Alongside our homegrown brands, we also manage renowned franchises and operate full F&B [food and beverage] portfolios for major destinations. It’s a 360-degree ecosystem of hospitality that combines creativity with a strategic business model.
Our slogan is “Creating experiences beyond hospitality”, because for us, it’s never just about food or service, it’s about moments that leave a lasting impact.
You launched 7 Management with a single venue. You’ve now built iconic venues across the region – what’s been the thinking behind the brand’s evolution?
Since day one, our vision for 7 Management has been global. We never intended to stay confined to one city or one type of experience. From our first venue, 7 Sisters Dubai, we designed concepts with international potential, ones that could adapt to different markets, resonate with diverse audiences and still carry a distinct identity.
That mindset shaped the evolution of our brand. We didn’t just build venues; we created scalable hospitality experiences. Today, we’re not only launching new homegrown brands, but we’re also acquiring franchise rights with world-renowned names, and exporting our own concepts to be operated by partners internationally.
At every step, the goal has remained the same: to create experiences that are culturally relevant, commercially viable and emotionally engaging, no matter where they land.
How do you balance rapid growth while maintaining quality and consistency across your portfolio?
Balancing rapid growth with quality and consistency starts with building a strong foundation, clear standards, a talented team and a culture that prioritises excellence. We don’t just open venues; we build teams that are fully aligned with our vision.
Every new concept, whether it’s homegrown or franchised, is supported by dedicated training, rigorous quality control and ongoing communication across all markets. This allows us to scale without compromising what matters most: the guest experience.
On creative vision
February 30, The Theater and Lucia’s have become icons in their own right. What makes a venue ‘stick’ in the cultural memory of a city?
In a city where the scene is constantly evolving, I’m proud that many of our venues have become key hospitality landmarks. What makes a venue truly ‘stick’ is connection. It must feel authentic and offer something fresh, whether that’s in the energy, the food, or the setting.
It’s not just about the food or the design, it’s about how a venue makes people feel. A space becomes iconic when it captures emotion, sparks connection and becomes part of people’s stories. At February 30, The Theater and Lucia’s, we focus on creating layered experiences that blend hospitality, entertainment and atmosphere in a way that feels effortless yet unforgettable.
From the energy of the crowd to the smallest detail, every element is curated to leave an impression. When a venue becomes a place people return to, celebrate in and talk about, it stops being just a venue, and becomes part of the city’s identity.
Many of your venues blur the lines between dining, nightlife and performance. Is this the future of hospitality?
Absolutely. Today’s guests are looking for more than a traditional dining experience or a simple night out, they want to feel something, to be immersed, to be surprised. That’s why we’ve always believed in breaking the boundaries between dining, nightlife and performance.
When you combine great food with atmosphere, music and showmanship, you create something far more memorable than any one of those elements on its own. This multi-sensory approach isn’t just the future, it is already redefining what hospitality means. It’s no longer about serving tables; it’s about staging moments.
On the future of 7 Management
Looking at your expansion strategy — what markets or regions are next on the horizon?
Our expansion strategy is focused on scaling both our homegrown brands and select franchise partnerships into markets where they can truly thrive. We’ve recently made a strong entry into Europe with the launch of Bagatelle and our home-grown concept Lucia’s, in Athens, Greece, and we’re actively looking to expand into new destinations. Lucia’s has proven to resonate deeply with audiences, and we’re exploring key cities for its next chapters.
In parallel, we’re expanding our portfolio with franchise concepts like Em Sherif, with Bucharest confirmed as one of the upcoming locations. We’re also actively exploring opportunities in Spain, a market rich in culture and culinary heritage, as we continue to grow our international footprint.
Closer to home, we remain committed to Beirut, where we’re introducing renowned names like Scalini and SALT, while further expanding across the UAE.
Two of our upcoming launches in Dubai, Yubi, the UAE’s first homegrown handroll sushi bar, and a modern Neighborhood bar, will both open at 25 Jump Street, where we’ve also just reopened our celebrated concept Antika.
We’re especially excited about 25 Jump Street, our partnership with Ennismore, which will see the creation of Dubai’s first licensed street, a project that brings together 12 unique concepts blending homegrown creativity with global recognition.
Finally, why is this moment particularly exciting for you and your team?
This moment marks the culmination of years of dedication, creativity and calculated risk-taking. We’re not just expanding, we’re evolving. The brands we once envisioned are now shaping cities, crossing borders and resonating with new audiences. That’s incredibly rewarding.
What makes it even more exciting is the team behind it all, a passionate group of individuals who share the same vision and drive. There’s a sense that we’re just getting started, and that energy is contagious. Every new opening, every new market, is a chance to push boundaries and prove that experiences beyond hospitality are not just possible, they’re what people are craving. To see our ideas take root in new cities and resonate with people from different cultures is incredibly rewarding.
As I always say, the sky is the limit, and this moment is a reminder of how far passion, resilience and teamwork can take you.
Discover your next luxury experience at 7 Management.me.
