Qlub, the ultra-fast payment system revolutionizing restaurant transactions, has become a fixture in Dubai’s dynamic dining landscape. After rapid success in the UAE, the company has secured $30 million in funding to propel its global expansion. The round was co-led by Shorooq Partners and Cherry Ventures, with strategic backing from e&, Mubadala Investments, and Legend Capital.
This funding underscores the rising demand for streamlined, tech-enabled hospitality experiences. It empowers Qlub to broaden its international footprint, enhance product capabilities, and integrate deeper within the hospitality ecosystem.
Founded in 2021 by Eyad Alkassar and Mahmoud Fouz, Qlub pioneered QR-based contactless dining, letting guests browse menus, place orders, and pay—all from their smartphones. Its approach eliminates traditional menus and physical payment interactions, boosting efficiency for restaurants and convenience for patrons.
Mahmoud Adi of Shorooq remarked, “From the start, Qlub was more than a payments tool—it’s an infrastructure reimagining hospitality for a digital-first era. Eyad and Mahmoud continue to unlock new customer behavior at the intersection of tech and experience.”
Qlub now operates across thousands of establishments in markets such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong, Brazil, Qatar, Kuwait, and Korea. It processes billions in annual transactions and serves millions of diners monthly, making it the world’s leading QR-based restaurant payment solution.
Prestigious clients include Paul Cafe, Sushi Samba, Wagamama, and La Petite Maison (LPM). Businesses report a 300% boost in tips, a 7x increase in positive reviews, and an 80% reduction in checkout lines. On average, restaurants cut labor costs and cashier staffing by a third while reclaiming space otherwise occupied by payment counters.
Cherry Ventures’ Filip Dames added, “We backed Qlub at seed and are thrilled to support them as they redefine restaurant operations globally.”
Industry titans like e& and Mubadala view Qlub as a key player in digital transformation. Khalifa Alshamsi of e& Life emphasized its alignment with their innovation goals: “Qlub is setting a new standard in hospitality service.”
With fresh capital, Qlub aims to enter new markets, elevate analytics for deeper customer insights, and strengthen partnerships across hospitality and tech. As co-founder Eyad Alkassar put it, “Qlub makes paying ten times faster—why would any restaurant operate without it?”
