Founder Story – Blend | Saudi FoodTech
Born out of the operational complexities facing Saudi Arabia’s food service sector, Blend emerged as a local tech solution aimed at simplifying order management and streamlining the chaos caused by fragmented systems and multiple delivery channels. With steady growth and clear product vision, Blend has quickly become one of the key players driving digital transformation in restaurant operations.
In this interview, Omar Al-Luhayyan, CEO of Blend, walks us through the company’s early beginnings, the challenges faced by the team, the strategic role of data in building a scalable platform, and the company’s future vision for expansion across and beyond the Kingdom.
- How did the idea for Blend first emerge? What moment or challenge marked the beginning?
We observed a recurring challenge among restaurants and retail outlets: managing multiple order channels — from various delivery apps to POS systems and in-store orders — was chaotic and inefficient. When exploring available solutions, we found that most were international and lacked localization. Time zone differences, language barriers, and a lack of understanding of the local market made them difficult to implement. That’s when we set out to build a Saudi-born tech solution tailored to our market’s realities — flexible, intuitive, and fully aligned with operational needs on the ground.
- What major gaps did you identify in the order management landscape, and how did Blend address them?
The biggest gap was the absence of true integration across order channels. Operators were forced to juggle multiple devices and systems, leading to missed orders, workflow bottlenecks, and an inability to make data-driven decisions. Blend was created to bridge this gap. Our smart dashboard consolidates all incoming orders, syncs menus in real time, and provides actionable analytics — enabling faster, more accurate operational decisions.
- How did the platform evolve from a prototype to a fully operational product serving restaurants and cafés?
We started on the ground with a small pilot project — one partner, one location. That field experience gave us firsthand insight into daily operational pain points, allowing us to design a solution that was practical from day one.
Instead of building short-term patches, we developed a flexible integration engine capable of adapting to various technical infrastructures. Today, Blend processes hundreds of thousands of operations each month through a unified system that seamlessly connects multiple branches, delivery platforms, and POS systems — all while adapting to our partners’ growth across different markets.
- What were the main technical or operational challenges you faced early on, and how did you overcome them?
One of the key technical challenges was the inconsistency in integration protocols across delivery platforms — each using different APIs and requirements. To solve this, we built a dynamic integration layer that could interact with diverse systems efficiently and reliably.
On the operational side, persuading restaurant owners to try a new system amid their daily pressures was equally challenging. Our support team, along with structured training programs, played a vital role in earning trust and enabling smooth onboarding for partners.
- In your view, how does technology impact the customer experience in food service?
At Blend, we believe technology isn’t just a supportive tool — it’s a core enabler of meaningful customer experiences. It empowers operators to deliver stable, scalable service even as their operations grow in size and complexity.
We didn’t design Blend merely to automate tasks. We built it as a live control center — one that gives operators real-time visibility into branch performance and allows them to respond immediately to delays, kitchen bottlenecks, and other issues. This directly impacts prep speed, order accuracy, and product availability.
Such operational depth is only possible with a robust tech layer that continuously analyzes data and converts it into real-time operational insights for frontline and executive teams alike.
We see the future of customer experience in this sector hinging on smart systems that move beyond static reporting — offering predictive and proactive tools that allow teams to solve problems before they arise and make better decisions every single day.
- Did you encounter resistance to change from restaurant operators? How did you navigate that?
Naturally, introducing any new system comes with hesitation — especially in environments where legacy processes and traditional workflows are deeply ingrained.
We addressed this through hands-on field testing, giving partners the chance to experience the platform in real scenarios, supported by dedicated implementation guidance from our team.
From day one, we made “operational simplicity” a design principle. We built Blend with an intuitive interface that empowers any team member — regardless of technical background — to run daily operations smoothly. By removing the need for technical expertise, we accelerated adoption without disrupting workflows or requiring long training cycles.
- What role does data and analytics play in improving your service and expanding your business?
Data is the backbone of everything we do at Blend. We go beyond just connecting order channels — we analyze platform performance, peak hours, cancellation rates, and over 20 operational KPIs used daily by our partners.
These insights help restaurants refine pricing strategies, tailor promotions, and reduce waste. We also use this data to inform product development and guide market expansion decisions with clarity and precision.
- What is your future vision for Blend, and where do you see the company in the next three years?
Our vision is to become the operational backbone for food service businesses across the GCC and North Africa — enabling efficient, scalable, and sustainable operations through one intelligent platform.
We’re building a unified system capable of managing complex operations across dozens of markets, branches, and order channels — adaptable to any environment.
In the next three years, we’re targeting strategic geographic expansion alongside the launch of AI-powered tools that turn large-scale operational data into real-time, actionable decisions.
Our goal isn’t just to keep pace with the sector’s growth — but to enable it, through a robust and scalable infrastructure built for long-term success.
Closing Note
In a fast-moving industry defined by operational complexity and rising expectations, Blend is building more than a platform — it’s creating a new operating standard. With real-time visibility, smart data, and seamless integration at its core, Blend empowers teams to respond faster, scale smarter, and grow more sustainably.
