Qlub, a restaurant payment solution based Dubai, has raised US$30 million in a funding round to support its international expansion.
The round was co-led by Shorooq Partners and Cherry Ventures, with participation from strategic backers including e&, Mubadala Investments, and Legend Capital.
Launched in 2021 by Eyad Alkassar and Mahmoud Fouz, Qlub has become widely used across Dubai’s dining scene.
The platform enables customers to scan a QR code to browse menus, place orders, and pay directly from their smartphones, removing the need for physical menus and traditional payment methods.
This technology aims to streamline restaurant operations and improve the overall dining experience.
Qlub is now present in thousands of venues across several markets, including Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, Brazil, Qatar, Kuwait, and Korea.
It processes a few billion US dollars annually and reaches millions of users each month.
Its client portfolio includes restaurants such as Paul Cafe, Wagamama, Sushi Samba, and La Petite Maison.
Reported outcomes from adopting Qlub include a 300% increase in tips, a sevenfold rise in positive Google reviews, and an 80% reduction in checkout wait times.
Restaurants also note reductions in labor costs and improved space efficiency by decreasing the number of required cashier stations.
The company plans to use the new funds to deepen its footprint in existing markets, expand into new regions, and continue developing its product, particularly by integrating analytics that offer restaurants more detailed insights into customer behavior and preferences.
“Our vision is simple: Qlub makes paying at restaurants ten times faster, and that elevates the entire dining experience,”
said Eyad Alkassar.
“Why would any restaurant, anywhere in the world, choose to operate without it?”
Mahmoud Fouz said,
“We’re thrilled to have the support of investors, both new and existing partners, as we continue to build Qlub’s vision. We’re grateful for the confidence our investors have placed in us and excited for what lies ahead.”
Featured image credit: Qlub
