Alexander Ponomarev – Transforming Restaurant Technology in the Middle East

Alexander Ponomarev is a skilled manager with more than 11 years of experience in Hospitality IT. He has made a big impact in automating restaurants from London to Hanoi. As CEO of Syrve MENA, Alexander leads the way in providing advanced IT solutions like POS systems, AI forecasting, and biometric ID to restaurants in the UAE and the wider MENA region. Since taking on the role in 2020, Alexander has brought on board over 1,500 customers, opened Syrve’s office in Cairo, and strengthened the company’s presence in countries like Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Oman. Beyond business, he also created the MENA Restaurant Community to share industry insights.

In our interview, Alexander Ponomarev talks about what Syrve MENA offers, the challenges and opportunities in the UAE market, and his vision for the future of the food and beverage industry.

Can you tell us what Syrve MENA is and its target market?

Syrve is a complete software for restaurants that helps them run better. It automates everyday tasks like managing orders and staff, keeping track of inventory, and analyzing how well the restaurant is doing. Trusted by over 8,000 food and beverage businesses globally, Syrve improves service speed and efficiency in kitchens. In the UAE, we’ve been supporting restaurants for years to succeed and grow.

Can you give examples of what types of solutions Syvre provides to its customers?

Syrve provides advanced technology solutions for managing restaurants of all sizes, from big chains to small coffee shops or delivery services. Their systems handle everything from running the front of the restaurant to managing the kitchen behind the scenes. A key feature is their powerful API, which connects with other software for things like corporate reporting, customer communication, loyalty programs, and discounts.

Syrve aims to help food and beverage businesses become more sustainable, efficient, and profitable by automating tasks and letting businesses focus on giving great service and experiences to customers. This automation not only makes operations smoother but also saves time for owners to focus on personal and business growth activities.

With over 11 years of experience in IT and hospitality, what was the gap you saw in the market that inspired you to start Siver Mena?

I noticed a big problem in the restaurant industry: many owners didn’t have quick access to up-to-date information to make smart decisions. They often had to rely on old reports. Syrve MENA wants to fix this by offering technology that gives restaurant owners real-time data. This helps them make fast, smart choices based on what’s happening right now, like changes in the market or prices from suppliers.

Our goal is to make sure their businesses run smoothly and profitably. Our technology also cuts down on boring tasks so owners can focus on what they do best: making great food for their customers. We give them the tools they need to run their restaurants smoothly and succeed, with clear, useful information.

What are the critical challenges facing restaurant management software companies looking to expand in the Middle East and how are they overcoming these hurdles?

Restaurant software companies face many challenges when they try to grow in the Middle East. First, running a restaurant involves a lot of complexity. It’s not just about cooking good food; it’s also about keeping up with high standards and making sure the food is safe.

Another big challenge is managing the people who work there. Servers need to be friendly and helpful, which means they need good training and supervision. Money is also a challenge. Restaurants have to deal with suppliers, keep track of ingredients, and make sure they don’t waste anything.

But the biggest problem is getting good, clear information. Restaurant owners need to know exactly what’s going on at all times. They need to be able to use data to make smart choices about how to run their business. This means they need a system that brings together all the different parts of their restaurant and gives them clear information. To solve these problems, restaurants need to use technology well and have good leaders who can make everything work smoothly.

How did you decide to expand to the UAE given the rapid turnover in the restaurant industry?

Dubai is a lively and busy market with many different kinds of people and a thriving food delivery industry. It’s a unique place where people from all over the world come to start businesses, especially in restaurants that offer all sorts of foods and ideas.

Despite a lot of businesses opening and closing, Dubai is a good place to try out new business ideas because there are so many different kinds of people who live and work there.

The Middle East, with big events like Expo 2020 and 2030 and lots of sports championships, has a lot of chances to grow. People in the region like using new technology and building things up, which makes it a good market for businesses like ours. Dubai is a center for new ideas and a big place for businesses in the Middle East, so it’s a great spot for us to start and get bigger.

What keeps you motivated when you’re doubtful?

I stay motivated by celebrating our successes, like gaining new customers and making deals. It feels great when customers tell us we’ve made their business better and their work easier. We do have tough times sometimes, with complaints or losing customers, but we listen to all feedback. We work hard to fix problems and make our service better. Dealing with challenges directly and always trying to improve keeps me excited and helps our business get better.

What impact do local regulations and cultural preferences have on the adoption of technology in the UAE’s restaurant sector?

In Dubai and the UAE, the mix of different cultures makes it tricky to adopt technology in restaurants. Each culture has its own traditions that affect how technology should work, like handling split bills or how orders are listed.

It’s important for technology to be flexible so it can fit these cultural differences and give good service. Also, Dubai has a lot of competition among restaurants. They use strong marketing and many types of technology, which can make it hard for restaurants to pick the best options. This mix of competition and cultural diversity makes technology adoption in UAE restaurants more complicated.

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