Fanoos, the iconic Bangalore-based seekh kebab brand, has opened its first international outlet in Karama, marking the UAE debut of the 50-year-old chain. The launch brings the brand’s signature kebabs and rolls to the South Asian community in Dubai.
Dubai launch choice
Nasir Hussain, who manages the brand founded by his father Ajaz Khan, said the move was motivated by demand from expatriates.
“Every week, I would get messages from Bangaloreans in Dubai asking when we were coming,” Hussain said. “Dubai was not just an opportunity — it was a responsibility. Our people are there. And they deserve the real thing.”
Karama was chosen for its strong South Asian presence and cultural familiarity. Hussain added, “Karama feels like Bangalore to me. The energy, the people, the hunger for something real. This is our home in Dubai.”
Grand opening response
The grand opening drew hundreds of visitors, with queues stretching along Umm Hurair Street. Longtime fans, families, and couples gathered to try the brand’s signature seekh rolls, served in hand-pulled roomali roti with freshly squeezed lime. Hussain noted, “We have never chased a trend. We just wake up every day and try to make the same perfect seekh roll my father made. That is the whole secret.”
Legacy and menu
Founded in 1975, Fanoos was one of the first fast-food-style establishments in Bangalore, known for its fresh minced meat kebabs spiced and grilled over high heat. While the menu now includes biryanis, shawarmas, and Irani-style kebabs, the seekh roll remains the flagship item. Popular roll sizes include the Rambo, Shambo, Mambo, and Mogambo.
Regional expansion plans
The Karama outlet is part of a broader expansion strategy. Fanoos plans additional outlets in Dubai malls, with a flagship mall-format store later in 2026, followed by locations in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Partnering with Mohammed Zaid of the Espada Group, the brand is also considering Saudi Arabia and, eventually, the United States, with cities like New York, Houston, and the San Francisco Bay Area under review.
Hussain said the expansion will be measured, emphasizing quality over speed. “We expanded to five outlets in Bangalore over fifty years because we wanted every single one to be right. We will bring Fanoos to the world the same way — one city at a time, one perfect seekh roll at a time.”
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
