Hospitality
United Foods Company reports strong FY2024 performance

United Foods Company announced financial results for the full year ended 31 December 2024.
Against a backdrop of geopolitical volatility and rising costs, United Foods achieved significant growth in revenue and profitability and reinforced its strong financial and market position, delivering on its long-term strategy for development. Total gross revenue rose to a record AED 601.7 million, supported by a 5.9% increase in sales volumes.
Profitability strengthened as gross profit increased 8% to AED 99.6 million, supported by improved cost controls, procurement optimisation, and product mix enhancements. Net profit before tax increased 11% to AED 33.9 million. Net profit after tax remained stable at AED 30.8 million.
The Board of Directors proposed a cash dividend of 100% of the paid-up capital for 2024, equivalent to AED 1 per share or AED 30.25 million in total. This proposed dividend payout, subject to shareholder approval at the upcoming Annual General Meeting, reflects the Group’s strong financial position and its continued focus on delivering value to its shareholders. United Foods Company is one of only three companies in the UAE to propose 100% cash dividend.
Fethi Khiari, Chief Executive Officer at United Foods Company, commented, “In all, 2024 was a milestone year of achievement for United Foods. We increased sales volumes and revenue, protected margins, continued to deliver dynamic, high-quality products and diversified our product portfolio to better delight our customers. These key initiatives have enabled us to reinforce our robust position in the UAE and in all the markets we serve.
I am pleased to announce that under the recommendation of the Board, there will be 100% cash dividend of the paid-up capital for 2024 in line with our sustainable and progressive dividend policy, at our Annual General Meeting. We would like to thank our shareholders for their continued support and trust in us.
Looking ahead, we remain dedicated to our strategic path that will enhance value for our shareholders, as we continue to scale our operations and invest in automation and efficiency. Our commitment to Emiratization remains core to our corporate vision, and we are proud to be building a business that is both future-fit and locally rooted.”
Operational and strategic highlights:
- The Group invested AED 12.8 million in capital expenditure, primarily directed towards the installation of two new product lines: fractionation unit and PET blowing machine to produce bio-degradable bottles.
Operational performance and outlook
Throughout 2024, United Foods maintained a sharp focus on cost efficiency and working capital management. Total assets rose to AED 439.4 million, while equity increased to AED 344.5 million. The Group continued investing in manufacturing upgrades and digital tools to drive long-term competitiveness.
Strategic efforts to support national priorities of food security also gained traction, with new initiatives to advance Emiratization across departments. These efforts position the Group to contribute meaningfully to national development while attracting and retaining skilled local talent. United Foods remains focused on expanding regional distribution, enhancing product innovation, and deepening its ESG practices, ensuring long-term sustainable value creation for all stakeholders.
Hospitality
A Normal Day Rolls Out a Fresh Menu at Dar Al Wasl’s Neighbourhood Bistro

Located in the heart of Dar Al Wasl, Jumeirah, A Normal Day has quickly established itself as one of Dubai’s most talked-about neighbourhood dining spots. Conceived by a team of locally raised creatives, the bistro strikes a balance between sophistication and ease – somewhere you can drop by for a quick coffee and pastry in the morning, linger over lunch with friends, or settle in for dinner that feels both relaxed and refined.
The new menu builds on that philosophy, introducing a line-up of dishes that are inventive yet grounded, drawing inspiration from both global flavours and local tastes, while embracing the spirit of everyday eating and easy eating.
Breakfast has been refreshed with new favourites including Turkish Eggs, with poached eggs, tzatziki, and crunchy citrus oil served with pizza bread; Mushroom Toast, where sourdough is layered with truffle provolone, sautéed mushrooms, chewy onions, and macadamia nuts; and the Sour Cherry Muffin, a
fresh-from-the-oven bake with white chocolate, sesame, and a side of raspberry butter.
For lighter bites and starters, the menu brings bold sharing plates: Foul Madames Dip with fava beans, tahini, cumin, and spices; classic Tzatziki with fresh cucumber and herbs; Charcuterie Chips, pairing house-made crisps with salami, pickle chilli, mayo, paprika, and parmesan; and Roasted Beetroot with Feta and Nuts, combining baked beetroot with smoked feta, caramelised walnuts, and rocket.
New main courses showcase the bistro’s playful, globally inspired approach: Casarecce with Trapanese Pesto and burrata; the Kimcheesburger, with kimchi cabbage, kimchi mayo, cheddar, and fries; crisp Chicken Schnitzel with herb butter and coleslaw; and the Focaccia Sandwich, stacked with beef mortadella, fresh figs, pesto, and stracciatella.
To close, Date Pudding takes its place on the menu permanently – making a comeback from their Test Kitchen Series. It’s a moist date cake with toffee sauce and ice cream, offering the perfect sweet ending. With art-lined walls, warm interiors, and a buzzing energy that flows from morning to late, A Normal Day
continues to redefine what dining out in Dubai feels like: creative, comfortable, and always memorable.
Hospitality
Cancro Calls for a Fresh Look at Hydration as UAE Families Return to Routine


As wellness becomes a top priority for UAE families, Cancro, a wellness-focused hydration company, is calling for a rethink of how families stay hydrated during the busy season ahead. With the UAE’s long, hot climate and demanding routines, hydration plays a critical role in maintaining focus, energy, and immunity — yet it is often overlooked.
What makes Cancro’s approach different is its use of deuterium-depleted water (DDW). Most water contains a small amount of deuterium, a naturally occurring form of hydrogen sometimes referred to as heavy hydrogen. In high amounts, deuterium can slow down how efficiently cells produce energy.
DDW has much of this deuterium removed, making it lighter. Early research suggests that it may support healthier cell function, improved energy, and faster recovery — benefits that align with today’s wellness-driven lifestyles.
Health specialists point to three areas where hydration is especially important for families in September:
- Focus & Learning: Even mild dehydration can affect concentration and memory, making it harder for children to perform at school.
- Energy & Productivity: For parents balancing work and family commitments, hydration is key to sustaining energy throughout long days.
- Immunity & Recovery: Proper hydration strengthens the body’s defenses against seasonal illnesses and supports recovery after activity.
“Families in the UAE live fast-paced, high-demand lives, often in extreme heat or air-conditioned environments that contribute to dehydration,” said Arsh Mehta, Founder of Cancro. “At Cancro, we believe hydration should be about more than quenching thirst — it’s about supporting wellbeing in a holistic way. With advanced hydration solutions like deuterium-depleted water, we aim to help families feel stronger, more focused, and more resilient every day.”
Cancro is encouraging UAE families to see hydration not as routine, but as a daily health investment — one that supports sharper minds, stronger immunity, and better energy for both children and parents.
Hospitality
DIVE INTO GREATNESS: SUN DIVING WELCOMES WORLD CHAMPION FREEDIVER ALESSIA ZECCHINI TO SUN SIYAM OLHUVELI

Sun Diving is proud to present a one-of-a-kind ocean experience with world champion freediver Alessia Zecchini on 13th October 2025. The event will be held at Sun Siyam Olhuveli’s Sunrise Beach from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM. Guests will have the rare opportunity to meet the athlete recognized as “The Deepest Woman in the World.”
Born in Rome in 1992, Alessia began freediving training at just 13 years old and went on to set multiple world and European records. She was the first woman to dive to 100 meters in free immersion and has since reached the deepest at 123 meters in constant weight with monofin. Her inspiring career has been celebrated worldwide, including in the movie Vertical Breath and the acclaimed Netflix documentary The Deepest Breath. Today, she continues to push boundaries while sharing her passion for the ocean and the importance of its conservation.
This unique guest engagement by Sun Diving offers dive enthusiasts the chance to meet Alessia during an informative talk. She will share her journey and experiences in freediving, reflect on her accomplishments, and discuss ocean preservation and breath control. Following her talk, a Q&A session will allow guests to connect directly with Alessia and the Sun Diving team. Sun Diving will also host an interactive beach experience where guests can try scuba and snorkel gear in shallow water with instructors. Guests can capture photos and autographs from Alessia and explore the dive booth to learn about the world of diving and special offers at Sun Diving.
“Welcoming Alessia Zecchini is an honor for us and an inspiration for our guests,” said Ahmed Nihaan, Dive Center Manager at Sun Siyam Olhuveli. “Her achievements beneath the waves embody both human potential and the importance of protecting our oceans.”
Sun Diving, the official diving arm of Sun Siyam Group, offers SSI-certified courses, snorkelling, freediving, and specialty programs across its Maldives properties. As a subsidiary, it enhances guest experiences with curated dive packages, illustrated dive maps, lifeguard programs, and eco-focused initiatives, positioning Sun Siyam as a leader in sustainable and memorable ocean adventures.
-
Tech News1 year ago
Denodo Bolsters Executive Team by Hiring Christophe Culine as its Chief Revenue Officer
-
VAR6 months ago
Microsoft Launches New Surface Copilot+ PCs for Business
-
Tech Interviews2 years ago
Navigating the Cybersecurity Landscape in Hybrid Work Environments
-
Tech News3 months ago
Nothing Launches flagship Nothing Phone (3) and Headphone (1) in theme with the Iconic Museum of the Future in Dubai
-
Tech News2 years ago
Brighton College Abu Dhabi and Brighton College Al Ain Donate 954 IT Devices in Support of ‘Donate Your Own Device’ Campaign
-
Editorial11 months ago
Celebrating UAE National Day: A Legacy of Leadership and Technological Innovation
-
VAR1 year ago
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 vs Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: Clash Of The Folding Phenoms
-
Cover Story7 months ago
Unifonic Leading the Future of AI-Driven Customer Engagement