Evgeny Kuzin, Chairman and Founder of Fundamental Hospitality commented:
“Our ambitious expansion plans for 2023 have not only been realized, but they have also exceeded every expectation. Fundamental Hospitality has evolved into a truly global luxury lifestyle group, driven by a loyal international customer base that was first established with our Dubai clientele and our ‘Made in Dubai’ concepts. Dubai is now widely recognized as the world’s leading luxury dining destination, and our success in this market has been fundamental to shaping our global trajectory.
In the year ahead, we will embark on our most ambitious expansion program to date. Our flagship brands, GAIA and La Maison Ani, will both double in size, while a new wave of ‘Made in Dubai’ concepts will launch internationally, further strengthening our global footprint. At home, we continue to reinforce our position at the iconic J1 Beach in Dubai—an address that reflects our creative energy and ambition. We remain steadfast on our path toward our ultimate vision: to become the world’s most influential luxury lifestyle group, setting new benchmarks in hospitality, lifestyle and dining worldwide
Fundamental Hospitality today announces a landmark US$200 million global expansion programme launching in 2026, marking the Group’s most ambitious chapter to date and reinforcing its position as one of the world’s fastest-growing luxury lifestyle groups.
Building on the success of its US$140 million investment in 2023, this new phase accelerates Fundamental Hospitality’s mission to export Dubai-born excellence to the world’s most influential cosmopolitan destinations. From celebrated dining concepts to immersive beachside experiences, the Group continues to redefine global hospitality through innovation, scale and unmistakable creative identity.
In 2026, Fundamental Hospitality will enter a transformative new arena with the first phase of its expansion into luxury hotels and branded residences. This evolution reflects the Group’s long-term vision to create fully integrated lifestyle ecosystems—where dining, design, culture and living converge to elevate brand presence across key international markets.
The expansion is powered by extraordinary momentum. In 2025 alone, more than 5 million guests experienced Fundamental Hospitality venues worldwide, with the Group on track to welcome over 10 million visitors by the end of 2026. This growth mirrors rising global demand for high-end, experiential dining and beach lifestyle concepts originating from the UAE.
At the heart of the expansion is GAIA, now widely recognised as Dubai’s most successful international dining export. In 2026, the brand will more than double its global footprint, with confirmed openings across the United States, Greece, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE. Alongside GAIA, the Group continues to scale globally acclaimed concepts including La Maison Ani, Shanghai Me and Alaya, while introducing a new generation of ‘Made in Dubai’ brands to international audiences.
In Dubai, Fundamental Hospitality will further cement its creative stronghold at J1 Beach, launching two new venues alongside Sirene by GAIA and INA. This follows the phenomenal success of Sirene by GAIA, now regarded as the world’s most successful beachside lifestyle concept and a powerful driver of the Group’s international visibility.
The Group’s latest expansion phase follows two years of exceptional performance across its portfolio. GAIA, Shanghai Me and La Maison Ani have evolved into globally recognised brands, while new ‘Made in Dubai’ concepts, including Sirene by GAIA, INA, Maison de la Plage, KIGO and Adaline, illustrate the continued influence of Dubai born brands in shaping regional and international hospitality trends.
Fundamental Hospitality’s growth over the last 2 years has benefited from Dubai’s tourism boom and increasing demand for unique and elevated culinary experiences. Almost 12 million international visitors came to Dubai in the first 7 months of this year. The Dubai luxury hospitality sector has transformed in the last 15 years from a city with no GCC created luxury dining concepts to today where ‘Made in Dubai’ concepts thrive throughout the GCC and beyond.
Fundamental Hospitality’s growth reflects Dubai’s rise as a global luxury capital. Once a market without home-grown luxury dining brands, the city has become a powerful exporter of world-class concepts, with Fundamental Hospitality at the forefront of this transformation.
As the Group looks ahead to 2026, its US$200 million expansion stands as a defining statement of confidence—in Dubai’s creative power, in experiential luxury, and in a future where ‘Made in Dubai’ continues to shape global hospitality culture.