Interview with Shobhit Tandon, Group Chief Digital and Technology Officer | Alamar

Saudi Arabia’s restaurant sector – the advancement, the future and the consumers  

Seamless Xtra’s Micah Edwards interviews Shobhit Tandon, Group Chief Digital and Technology Officer – Alamar.

 

Alamar has developed a reputation as the foremost trusted QSR operator across the MENAP region powered by the latest technological and digital infrastructure to deliver an unmatched customer experience. 

 

Shobhit Tandon, Group Chief Digital and Technology Officer at Alamar, is a business leader with over 25 years of rich experience in operations, marketing, and business management. He has a proven track record of establishing, managing, and scaling businesses, and is passionate about building teams that embrace a winning culture. Shobhit has managed cross-functional teams across multiple geographies, working together to create long-term business strategies that are smart, innovative, and sustainable.

 

What is the current situation of the Kingdom’s QSR?  

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s QSR sector is currently in a phase of rapid growth, fuelled by Vision 2030’s economic diversification agenda, rising disposable incomes, and an increasingly urban, tech-savvy population.  

 

 

Why do you believe KSA’s food industry is booming and the reasons to why more international brands are entering the market?

The food industry is booming because of strong consumer demand for global dining experiences, a young demographic eager to experiment with international cuisines, and significant government investment in infrastructure and tourism. These dynamics have created a highly attractive market, prompting more international brands to enter and expand aggressively.  

 

 

Tell us the latest technological advancement in KSA’S restaurant sector.  

Digital transformation has become central to operations: food aggregators, cloud kitchens, app-based ordering, self-ordering kiosks, drive through unorthodox sectors beyond just coffee and advanced delivery logistics are now having more and more AI integrations, thus enabling restaurants to scale efficiently while meeting customer expectations for speed and convenience. 

 

 

How are Saudi Arabia’s shoppers different to the rest of the region and how are you making sure you tailor experiences for them?

Saudi shoppers are unique in that they seek premium experiences yet remain highly value-conscious, influenced by the vast variety of choices available to them. At Domino’s, we focus on delivering great value through product, service, and technology. We use AI-powered recommendation engines for personalized communication and offers, provide live delivery tracking via our in-house GPS system, issue electronic bills on WhatsApp, and operate a trained chatbot to resolve customer concerns quickly. Our e-wallet enables customers to store Domino’s currency and receive customized offers, while our automated service recovery system instantly compensates for lapses. Beyond this, we are collaborating with government entities to pioneer autonomous vehicles and drone delivery, ensuring we remain at the forefront of innovation. 

 

 

Where do you see the Kingdom’s restaurant sector in the next 5 years?  

Looking ahead, the Kingdom’s restaurant sector is poised to become one of the most technologically advanced and competitive in the region. Over the next five years, we expect deeper integration of automation, data-driven personalization, and omnichannel customer experiences, alongside a continued influx of global brands and homegrown concepts that will reshape the QSR landscape. 

 

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