Magnolia Restaurant Management opens Flippin' Pizza's flagship store in Dubai

26 November 2013 - Magnolia Restaurant Management LLC (MRM), a leading food and beverage operator in the GCC and Middle East region, has opened doors to its first UAE branch of Flippin' Pizza, a leading pizza chain from the US, on Thursday (November 21, 2013) at the China Court of the Ibn Battuta Mall. The ribbon cutting and opening ceremonies were led by Robert Bannerman, Principal Commercial Officer at the US Consulate General in Dubai; Nael Mustafa, CEO, MRM and Herminio Llevat, CEO and Founder, Flippin' Pizza Int'l. The inauguration of the new Flippin' Pizza outlet is part of the company's move to invest over USD 100 million into the UAE—bringing unique brands like Flippin' Pizza to strong growth markets with appropriate demographics that suit the brands they have selected.

According to MRM senior executives, Flippin' Pizza's first branch in the region captures the signature feel and atmosphere that the pizza chain is famous for—offering a unique New York style and theme complete with an open kitchen for diners to see the actual preparation and cooking of the pizzas and pasta dishes made by the restaurant's American master pie makers. To give diners a unique New York ambiance and feel, a large television screen has been placed strategically in the heart of the restaurant and will preview videos of the iconic New York Times Square. To enhance the “New York” experience, two American Pizza master chefs will oversee the pizza operations and interact with Flippin's customers.

Since opening its first branch in 2007, Flippin' Pizza has become well known for its hand-tossed New York influenced pies and homemade pastas with its eponymous Flippin' sauces. All dishes offered are prepared without added oil or sugar and has no high-fructose corn syrup.

“Flippin' Pizza presents you with that genuine ‘I'm from New York' taste and feel—a mouth watering pizza that is authentically hand tossed to perfection,” said Salam Abou Karroum, Head of Marketing, MRM. “We would like to thank Ibn Battuta Mall and Nakheel for allowing us to set up the first Flippin' Pizza outlet, thereby giving us the opportunity to bring a small piece of New York to Dubai and we hope to receive the same overwhelming response that this brand is renowned for from our local diners. As such, Flippin' Pizza is part of our plan to invest USD 100 million in new dining concepts and facilities that offer ‘everyday food' combined with excellent customer service. In fact, we are looking forward to opening two more Flippin Pizza outlets soon, in SZR & Jumeirah.”

“The Flippin' Pizza brand has surely come a long way—from its beginnings in New York to its newest outlet here in the rapidly developing emirate of Dubai, UAE. The success of Flippin' Pizza lies in its traditional hand tossed preparation. Diners in the UAE will now be able to savour our great tasting pies, showcased by our white and red sauce, cheese and wide array of toppings,” concluded Nael Mustafa, CEO, MRM.