Rabih Fakhreddine, a trendsetter in the F&B and nightlife scene

7 MANAGEMENT’S FOUNDER & CEO

RABIH FAKHREDDINE,

A TRENDSETTER IN THE F&B AND NIGHTLIFE SCENE

Born in Lebanon, Rabih Fakhreddine graduated with a degree in business marketing from the American University of Beirut. Early in his career, he gained experience in the FMCG industry, including a prestigious position at British American Tobacco (BAT) as a manager of the Levant region. A visionary at heart, Fakhreddine stepped out of the corporate world to follow his passion for the food and entertainment industry. In 2015, he opened Seven Sisters, a luxurious oasis of music and cuisine within the heart of Beirut, and formed 7 Management soon after. The success of Seven Sisters acted as a catalyst for the development of the ten food, beverage and entertainment concepts that followed.

What’s your mantra?

If you have a vision and an ironclad will, then nothing can stop you from accomplishing everything you want. The sky’s the limit. Do you have any new franchises in the pipeline?

I do not consider that bringing Lebanon’s beloved nightlife names to the UAE is “franchising,” since our head offices are based here as well, and we own all our brands. The idea behind expanding in the UAE involves taking the essence of each brand and giving it a new home to thrive in and bring pleasure to more people. Antika, for example, will be franchised in another emirate soon, as Lebanese expats have found joy in connecting with places that remind them of home; and we have also reached a diverse clientele who enjoy what we have to offer, whether it’s Antika or Seven Sisters.

Soon, we will be welcoming Lebanon’s legendary B018 nightclub to Dubai. Also scheduled to open is The Theater, which promises to change the face of nightlife and entertainment in the Middle East with its live, dynamic shows and performers directed by Guy Manoukian, Lebanese-Armenian musician, composer and pianist. What is the secret behind 7 Management’s success?

I would say that our industry specifically, not only 7 Management, has shown dignified resilience in the face of the many difficulties we have faced. Some businesses were hit harder than others, and this is unfortunate, but business carries risk that one is aware of when they venturing into our industry. Like other business owners, we faced a serious drop in sales but took swift action when we saw how this could significantly shake our industry and cause serious or permanent damage. We immediately reworked our business model from financials to forecast planning, which actually made us become more creative in finding solutions to staying afloat. Our crisis management model, combined with our creative acumen and cost-efficient decisions, allowed us to weather the storm, and, to some degree, thrive. Thankfully, we were able to retain all of our employees. I would like to express my gratitude to our incredible team who helped us adapt and survive this pandemic. I have so much pride and respect for them as family and for their dedication and loyalty during this crisis. But I cannot take all of the credit for our business decisions; I need to acknowledge that the UAE has always provided us with solid opportunities, remaining financially and economically robust in the past and during this pandemic. Is there a destination where you would like to expand your portfolio?

Our expansion plans do include Athens and London, and we are considering other destinations in Europe and the Middle East, such as KSA and Egypt. Our industry has become incredibly diverse, with different audiences looking for something unique. But they all have one thing in common; they are all experience seekers. The versatility and modernity of today’s customers, who can easily find what they seek in any country, is both a challenge and a joy. To be able to reach them and provide memorable experiences while carving our name into their thoughts is both a pleasure and an honor. Hence 7 Management’s tagline: “Moments made memorable.” 7management.me