Onsi Sawiris School of Business Executive Education (ExecEd) at the American University in Cairo (AUC) has launched the Restaurant Business Management Program – Powered by Marakez. This is the first academic program in Egypt to support F&B entrepreneurs and startups. The program blends academic coursework with practical, on-the-ground learning, providing participants with access to Marakez’s F&B ecosystem, field visits to District 5, and sessions with industry operators and investors from the company’s extensive network in the field.

ExecEd Executive Director Mohamed AbdelSalam said the partnership marks a significant step toward positioning the school as a leader in F&B innovation, noting that the program links participants with industry leaders and real business environments while building the skills and networks entrepreneurs need to grow. Program Manager Yasmine Khalil highlighted rising demand for structured learning in Egypt’s rapidly expanding F&B sector, adding that interest in the pilot cohort has already exceeded expectations.

From Marakez’s side, the program addresses one of the sector’s most significant challenges: high failure rates among new restaurants. CCO Ashraf Maklad described the initiative as the “missing link” that helps founders understand critical elements such as service, supply, and consistency — factors that often make or break a new concept. Executive Vice Chairman Dasha Badrawi added that while restaurants remain one of the most popular yet risk-prone forms of entrepreneurship, equipping operators with fundamentals and an understanding of common pitfalls is essential.

Together, ExecEd and Marakez aim to combine academic rigor with practical insight to help Egypt’s next generation of F&B entrepreneurs turn promising ideas into viable, scalable businesses.

For more information or to enroll in the program, visit AUC ExecEd’s website here.

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