Ahmad AlZaini on Building a $13B Restaurant Operating System From Al Khobar

Is the software business dying? Loulou sits down with Ahmad AlZaini, co-founder and CEO of Foodics, at the 11-year mark of the company for the operator's read on the biggest question in tech this year: what happens to software when AI agents replace the human at the login screen. Foodics is the restaurant operating system for the region: 40,000+ locations across the GCC, Egypt and Jordan, $13B in payments processed to date, on track for $14B by end of year, 700 people, licensed by the Saudi Central Bank, backed by a $198M capital raise including a record $170M Series C. Ahmad is a Forbes-recognized entrepreneur with executive credentials from Harvard, Stanford and MIT, and was appointed to the Endeavor Saudi board of directors in 2026. Subscribe for weekly conversations on business, investing, leadership and what is actually happening in the Arab world. Chapters 01:42 Foodics at 11: the top line, $13B GMV, 40,000 locations, 40% revenue outside Saudi  04:08 From Al Khobar to Aramco to Foodics: why the founder was never supposed to be a founder  09:43 Investor due diligence in reverse: not all money is equal, cap-table hygiene from an acquirer's chair  14:47 Growth capital advice: do not take from Saudi at growth stage, go global, come back with matched terms  18:36 40 SF VC meetings, 3 term sheets: how to raise when nobody knows where Riyadh is  21:04 Talent reverse migration: C-suite relocating from Boston, NY, SF, Paris and London to Riyadh  23:54 AI is out of the box: the Anthropic February 2026 SaaS selloff explained  31:15 The PhD intern: how a fresh graduate should show up with an AI use case, not a certificate  33:37 The pricing shift: nobody pays for logins in 2030, everyone pays for outcomes and usage  43:09 The exit conversation: if for one minute you decide you need to exit, you are not in the right business  48:45 Secondary markets, buybacks, and why every employee should have liquidity options  53:46 The under-30 Saudi generation: high-school AI hackathons, curiosity, and where they spend Follow Loulou Khazen Instagram: /louloukhazen LinkedIn: /louloukhazen X (Twitter): /louloukhazen Follow the guests Ahmad AlZaini Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alzaini/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Is the Middle East entering a new golden age? Loulou sits down with one of the most well-connected geopolitical economists working today for a structural read on the region recorded as the US-Iran 60-day MOU process opened, Strait of Hormuz traffic restarted, the IMEC corridor returned to the working-group table and Saudi Arabia pivoted NEOM capital into AI infrastructure. The episode is built to hold whether the ceasefire holds or slips: Middlebrook's read is 10 to 20 years out, not week to week. Dr. Peter Middlebrook is the CEO of Geopolicity and has advised the World Bank, the European Union, the United Nations, the British Government, the Iraqi Prime Minister's office, and governments across the Middle East, Africa and Central Asia. He is the author of two new books in 2026: "How to Make Britain Great Again" and "Rich Student, Poor Student." Subscribe for weekly conversations on business, investing, leadership and what is actually happening in the Arab world. Chapters: 1:43 The US-Iran ceasefire, the Hormuz reopening and the return to business 3:58 Why Dubai is a replacement for New York 9:40 Why the Gulf is no longer a single bloc 16:34 IMEC explained: Mumbai to Jebel Ali to Piraeus 19:02 MENA youth unemployment: NEET and the 30% problem 21:20 White-collar work, debt, social protection and the climax of capitalism 25:20 Hybrid governance: phones, governments and the Sixth Estate 33:48 Saudi's pivot from megaprojects to AI data centers 36:41 Why society itself has to change 41:16 China, state capitalism and the West losing the critical raw materials race 46:15 Albania appointed an AI minister: why the Gulf is next 47:10 Closing: a long-term investor's case for the Middle East Follow Loulou Khazen Instagram: /louloukhazen LinkedIn: /louloukhazen X (Twitter): /louloukhazen Follow the guest Dr. Peter Middlebrook Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-middlebrook-14477018/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What happens to your job when the most powerful companies in the world are laying off thousands of people not because they are failing, but because they are betting on AI instead, and your region is also in a war that is reshaping who can hire and who has to cut? In this episode of With Loulou, Loulou Khazen Baz sits down with Justin McGuire, Founder and CEO of MCG Talent, the Middle East's leading recruitment firm for marketing, communications, creative, product, data and digital talent. They get into the specific role Justin removed from his own firm and rebuilt with ChatGPT, why the people who feel safest in their seats are actually the most exposed, the one LinkedIn move that lands an offer, and the playbook he gives fresh graduates to land three offers in a market where 65% of UAE professionals now say finding a role has become harder. For students, fresh graduates and anyone navigating a redundancy in 2026, Loulou and Justin close with what AI-native actually means in the workplace, why "knowing how to prompt ChatGPT" is not enough, and which careers in MENA are still hiring at premium salaries this quarter. Subscribe for weekly conversations on business, investing, leadership and what is actually happening in the Arab world. Chapters: 05:10 The GCC is no longer a place of safety. It is still a place of opportunity. 08:43 The war pressed fast-forward on AI: how employers are actually responding 12:46 Where the marcom briefs are going: creative directors yes, graphic designers no 14:05 The fragile middle: 5 to 8 year managers under fire 17:34 Why the GCC is three years behind Silicon Valley on AI 23:04 The role Justin replaced with ChatGPT (and the lawyer he stopped using) 28:43 The micro-niche business: the winning shape for the AI era 33:28 The LinkedIn secret weapon: comment, do not just post 39:54 Don't apply for jobs on LinkedIn. Here is what to do instead. 42:13 Side projects: the AI portfolio that landed the hire 47:09 Antifragile: using the shock to come out stronger 53:40 The middle-management lifestyle trap 59:03 The 50+ side door: the access older candidates have that nobody else does Follow Loulou Khazen Instagram: /louloukhazen LinkedIn: /louloukhazen X (Twitter): /louloukhazen Follow the guests Justin McGuire Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jumcguire/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Where do you put your money in the Gulf right now? Loulou sits down with one of the UAE's most experienced investors to read the region as it actually is in June 2026: the regional war still the dominant story, the World Cup just under way and more. HE Faisal Belhoul is a veteran Emirati investor and entrepreneur, former Vice Chair of Dubai Chambers, and chairman of UAE second-division football club Fursan Hispania (co-built with Real Madrid legend Michel Salgado). He has been one of the most consistent backers of operators building global businesses out of Dubai for two decades. For students, fresh graduates and aspiring founders, Belhoul closes with the single quality he backs in founders, the apprentice model he believes in, and the line he was given by a founder he is mentoring: "I eat 'no' for breakfast." Chapters: 01:57 - The Three Big Stories of the Week 03:15 - Football as a Family Affair: 22 Years Waiting for Arsenal 5:28 - Mohamed Salah and Football's Soft Power 16:38 - Why Sport Survives the AI Era 20:52 - Dubai Chambers and the Private Sector's Role 26:29 - How Moove Grew From $10M to $400M Revenue 36:43 - Can Expats Still Build a Life Here at 60? 38:10 - Golden Visas and What Comes Next 43:01 - INJAZ and the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs 44:44 - The One Founder Trait Belhoul Backs: Perseverance Follow Loulou Khazen Instagram: /louloukhazen LinkedIn: /louloukhazen X (Twitter): /louloukhazen Follow the guests HE Faisal Belhoul Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/faisalbelhoul/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faisalbelhoulofficial/ Also available on Apple Podcasts https://bit.ly/3Stm32D Spotify https://bit.ly/3H1vzHO Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Abdullah Mutawi, Partner & Head of Corporate MENA at Taylor Wessing, and Kushal Shah, Private Markets Investor, join Loulou for a conversation (episode 103) on where opportunity really sits in the GCC today. They unpack angel investing, founder red flags, why many startups fail despite strong products, and the lessons that come from writing early-stage checks. The discussion also explores cash-generating businesses versus venture-backed startups, SME rollups, the impact of AI on investing, and why the region continues to attract founders, capital, and talent from around the world. Chapters 00:00 Three investors. One question: Where do you put your money?  03:24 Why angel investing is the highest-risk type of investing  06:23 The expensive lesson from a failed startup investment  09:41 What to look for in a founder before you write the cheque  20:15 Groupthink, red flags and why solo investors get burned  22:59 The pivot: why Kushal quit VC for SME roll-ups  30:30 1.2 million UAE SMEs: the opportunity hiding in plain sight  34:52 SaaS is dead. What's actually worth backing?  40:04 Angels: preference stacks, secondaries and knowing when to exit  57:28 AI, source of truth and the risk of outsourcing your thinking Follow Loulou Khazen Instagram: /louloukhazen LinkedIn: /louloukhazen X (Twitter): /louloukhazen Follow the guests Abdullah Mutawi Partner & Head of Corporate MENA, Taylor Wessing LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mutawi/ Kushal Shah Private Markets Investor LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kushyahvi/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Gaurav Biswas, Founder & CEO of Trukker, joins Loulou for a timely conversation on what happens to GCC supply chains when the Strait of Hormuz is disrupted. They unpack how cargo was rerouted through alternate ports, land bridges, and trucking networks while food security, industrial supply, and construction materials came under pressure. Gaurav also breaks down Trukker’s 75,000+ driver network, the reality of building a $240M revenue logistics business, and why resilience is now a strategic priority for the region. Chapters 00:00 Why the Strait of Hormuz disruption matters 04:07 What happened on the ground when the crisis started 07:35 Food security, industrial pressure, and why trucking became critical 10:18 Jebel Ali, Abu Dhabi ports, and the alternate route problem 17:28 How one truck went from moving 4 containers a day to 1 21:38 Why Trukker chose not to profiteer from war 31:01 Building a $240M logistics business with less than 1% market share 38:57 Venture debt, dilution, and the real cost of startup capital Follow Loulou Khazen Instagram: /louloukhazen LinkedIn: /louloukhazen X (Twitter): /louloukhazen Follow the guest Gaurav Biswas, Founder & CEO of Trukker Website: https://trukker.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gauravbiswas/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Philip Bahoshy, Founder & CEO of Magnitt, and Ziad Awad, Founder & CEO of Awad Capital, join Loulou for episode 100 of With Loulou. Recorded during a period of regional uncertainty, this conversation looks at what is really happening across MENA private markets, venture capital, M&A, IPOs, and the future of exits in the region. Chapters 00:00 Episode 100 and the first two-guest format 03:00 Public markets vs private markets 10:00 What Magnitt’s Q1 2026 VC data reveals 19:00 M&A activity across the UAE and Saudi Arabia 23:00 The exit problem for regional startups 33:00 Valuations, transparency, and ecosystem maturity 45:00 Why billion-dollar companies are harder to build in MENA 58:30 Rapid fire on IPOs, defense funds, and underpriced opportunities Follow Loulou Khazen Instagram: /louloukhazen LinkedIn: /louloukhazen X (Twitter): /louloukhazen Follow the guest Philip Bahoshy, Founder & CEO of Magnitt  Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipbahoshy/ Ziad Awad, Founder & CEO of Awad Capital Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ziad-awad-4925a11/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Day 56 of the Iran war. Most international press wrote Dubai's obituary in March. Predictions of a mass exodus, the end of the UAE story, a 15 year setback. None of it happened. 2,800 strikes were fired at this region. Almost nobody left. Trevor McFarlane, Founder and CEO of EMIR, advisor to GCC CEOs and government leaders, explains why. Recorded in Dubai, April 22, 2026. Day 56 of the Iran war. Chapters: 00:00 Reality TV geopolitics (cold open)  00:44 Day 56: where the UAE actually stands  01:48 Why this is a "coercive pause," not a resolution  03:43 Why Rory Stewart was wrong about Dubai  11:32 What systems thinking means for a country under attack  14:54 Which sectors hold up — and which don't  21:34 Tourism, luxury, and the floating population 24:09 The next phase: sovereign resiliency in the GCC  31:28 150 CEOs, 2,800 strikes, nobody left  36:54 The real story: sociological diversification  40:18 "A place you belong, not a place you use"  41:08 Rapid fire: GDP, levers, decisions in uncertainty Trevor McFarlane: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevormcfarlane-emir/ EMIR: https://www.emirintelligence.com/ Follow Loulou Khazen Instagram: /louloukhazen LinkedIn: /louloukhazen X: /louloukhazen Also available on: Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3Stm32D Spotify: https://bit.ly/3H1vzHO Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A Saudi quick-commerce startup raised $212 million and just collapsed. MENA VC funding fell 37% year-over-year. Late-stage debt is frozen. Khaled Talhouni — Managing Partner of Nuwa Capital, one of the most active GCC funds with 53 portfolio companies across Saudi, the UAE, and Egypt joins With Loulou to break down what's actually happening in the regional venture market right now.  Recorded in Dubai, April 22, 2026.  Chapters:  00:00 The state of MENA VC right now  02:35 What's actually happening in the Gulf  06:55 53 portfolio companies through the war  12:45 The Q1 numbers: $941M, -37% YoY, and the late-stage freeze  18:20 How to deploy capital when nothing is priced  24:35 The case for investing during downturns  28:05 IPOs, secondaries, and where MENA exits actually happen  33:20 Why Nana burned $212M (the dark store math)  47:30 The "Accenture for AI" thesis  54:20 Rapid fire: 2026's biggest MENA exit, deals he regrets, the underrated sector  57:15 What he'd do differently  Khaled Talhouni: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khaledtalhouni/  Nuwa Capital: https://www.nuwacapital.io  Follow Loulou:  Instagram: /louloukhazen  LinkedIn: /louloukhazen  X (Twitter): /louloukhazen Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this special episode, Loulou Khazen speaks with Mo Gawdat about fear, uncertainty, and the psychological impact of war. في هذه الحلقة الخاصة، تتحاور لولو خازن مع مو جودة حول الخوف وعدم اليقين والتأثير النفسي للحروب.  As the Gulf faces a moment that can no longer be ignored, this conversation explores what happens inside people when threat stops feeling abstract. ومع لحظة حساسة تعيشها منطقة الخليج ولا يمكن تجاهلها، يستكشف هذا الحوار ما يحدث داخل الإنسان عندما يتوقف الخطر عن كونه فكرة بعيدة ويصبح واقعاً.  From anxiety and overload to risk assessment, parenting, media fatigue, and emotional regulation, this is a practical conversation about how to think clearly and stay human when the world feels unstable. من القلق وتدفق المعلومات إلى تقييم المخاطر وتربية الأطفال وإرهاق الأخبار وتنظيم المشاعر، يقدم هذا الحوار نقاشاً عملياً حول كيفية التفكير بوضوح والحفاظ على إنسانيتنا عندما يبدو العالم غير مستقر.  Key Moments محطات الحلقة What you will learn ماذا ستتعلم في هذه الحلقة  ✔️ Why the brain struggles so much with uncertainty لماذا يعاني العقل البشري كثيراً عند مواجهة عدم اليقين  ✔️ How fear changes the way we think, feel, and behave كيف يغير الخوف طريقة تفكيرنا وشعورنا وتصرفاتنا  ✔️ How media overload distorts judgment and increases stress كيف يؤدي الإفراط في متابعة الأخبار إلى تشويه الحكم وزيادة التوتر  ✔️ How to assess risk without spiraling كيف يمكن تقييم المخاطر دون الوقوع في دوامة القلق  ✔️ Why calm is a better way to function under pressure لماذا يعتبر الهدوء الطريقة الأفضل للتعامل مع الضغوط  ✔️ How to support children emotionally during crisis كيف يمكن دعم الأطفال عاطفياً أثناء الأزمات  ✔️ How not to lose your humanity in difficult times كيف نحافظ على إنسانيتنا في الأوقات الصعبة  00:00 Introduction | المقدمة 02:35 Why this conversation became necessary | لماذا أصبح هذا الحوار ضرورياً 05:00 What war does to the human mind | كيف تؤثر الحروب على العقل البشري 08:10 How social media normalized violence | كيف جعلت وسائل التواصل الاجتماعي العنف يبدو طبيعياً 11:50 How to question your thoughts in a crisis | كيف نراجع أفكارنا أثناء الأزمات 15:10 Propaganda, media overload, and fear | الدعاية وتدفق المعلومات وتأثيرهما على الخوف 18:45 Why uncertainty makes us anxious | لماذا يسبب عدم اليقين القلق 22:10 How the brain reacts to danger | كيف يتفاعل العقل مع الخطر 26:30 Real danger vs perceived danger | الفرق بين الخطر الحقيقي والخطر المتصور 30:40 How parents should talk to children about war | كيف يتحدث الآباء مع أطفالهم عن الحروب 35:10 Why compassion matters in a crisis | لماذا يظل التعاطف مهماً في الأزمات 40:15 How different people react to stress | كيف يختلف رد فعل الناس تجاه الضغط 45:00 How to stay calm during chaos | كيف نحافظ على هدوئنا وسط الفوضى 49:30 How to turn fear into clarity | كيف نحول الخوف إلى وضوح 55:40 How not to lose your humanity | كيف لا نفقد إنسانيتنا 01:01:00 What to remember from this conversation | ما الذي يجب أن نتذكره من هذا الحوار Follow Loulou Khazen تابعوا لولو خازن  Instagram: /louloukhazen  LinkedIn: /louloukhazen  X (Twitter): /louloukhazen  Also available on متوفر أيضاً على  Apple Podcasts https://bit.ly/3Stm32D  Spotify https://bit.ly/3H1vzHO  Share your feedback شاركونا آرائكم  https://33s6g1ujw6w.typeform.com/to/K  New to With Loulou? هل هذه أول مرة تتابعون  Hi, I’m Loulou Khazen, based in Dubai. I started my journey as a tech entrepreneur, and today I’m a startup investor, podcaster, and speaker. Most importantly, I’m a mom of two. مرحباً، أنا لولو خازن، أعيش في دبي. بدأت مسيرتي كرائدة أعمال في مجال التكنولوجيا، واليوم أنا مستثمرة في الشركات الناشئة وبودكاستر ومتحدثة في الفعاليات. والأهم أنني أم لطفلين.  To learn more, check out my LinkedIn profile or read my latest feature in Entrepreneur Magazine: للمزيد من المعلومات، يمكنكم زيارة صفحتي على لينكدإن أو قراءة مقابلتي الأخيرة في مجلة Entrepreneur: https://bit.ly/3QLwBKs Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.