A hospitality platform called Mezza has launched in the UAE, giving restaurants access to upfront capital in exchange for future food and beverage credit, with the aim of addressing both the financing gap and the challenge of attracting diners on a consistent basis.
The platform is designed for independent restaurants and hospitality groups. Rather than offering loans or requiring equity, Mezza purchases food and beverage credit from partner restaurants at wholesale value and distributes this credit to members of its app over time.
Restaurants receive funding upfront, while the credit is redeemed by diners gradually, typically over a 12-month period. This structure allows the cost of the capital to be spread across the year while bringing a stream of customers through the door.
How Mezza Is helping UAE restaurants access capital without loans or equity loss
Restaurants can receive between AED20,000 and AED10,000,000 through the platform, which the venue can use to support operations, invest in growth, or maintain revenue during periods of uncertainty.
The launch comes at a time when restaurants across the UAE are seeking ways to maintain footfall amid the current political climate. Mezza positions itself as a response to two challenges that operators regularly face: access to capital without debt or dilution, and the ability to attract diners throughout the week rather than only at peak times.
“Restaurants often face two major challenges: access to capital and the ability to consistently attract new customers. Mezza was built to solve both. We provide funding without debt or dilution while helping restaurants bring more diners through their doors, not just on weekends, but throughout the year,” Kevin Boubil, Founder of Mezza said in a statement.
Since launching, Mezza has signed up a number of hospitality groups and restaurants, including Gates Hospitality, Rosy Hospitality, Chic Nonna, and Fab Food Co., with further partners joining as the platform expands. The platform selects partner restaurants based on quality, reputation, and guest experience, with a focus on casual to fine dining concepts.
To support its expansion, Mezza has closed a Seed funding round. The round is backed by investors including the founders of PropertyFinder and Jellysmack, as well as the chairman of Deel.
Kevin Boubil added that the platform was built with independent operators in mind, who often encounter barriers when trying to secure financing through conventional routes.
“Our goal is to empower restaurants to grow on their own terms. Independent operators often face challenges securing financing without giving up ownership. Mezza provides an alternative that supports both financial stability and consistent customer footfall, helping restaurants thrive in a competitive market,” Kevin added.
