Egyptian food delivery service Elmenus names former competitor executive Walid El-Saadany as its new CEO, replacing the company's founder.
Elmenus, a prominent Cairo-based food delivery platform, has announced a significant change in leadership. Walid El-Saadany, a seasoned industry veteran, has been appointed as the new CEO, succeeding founder Amir Allam.
El-Saadany joined Elmenus in 2006 when it was still part of Linkdotnet. He brings a wealth of experience to the table, having previously led Otlob (now known as Talabat), a major competitor of Elmenus. During his tenure at Otlob, he oversaw two major acquisitions by Foodpanda and Delivery Hero.
Under El-Saadany's leadership, Elmenus is poised for growth beyond Egypt's major cities. The company plans to scale its operations by onboarding over 4,000 restaurants across underserved cities and towns. This expansion aims to increase accessibility in cities beyond the main urban centers, leveraging El-Saadany's experience to strengthen Elmenus's market presence in Egypt's fast-growing food-tech sector.
Elmenus currently has 1,000 restaurant partners and is committed to growing nationwide. The company plans to achieve this by integrating artificial intelligence, enhancing ordering, delivery efficiency, and personalized food recommendations through AI-driven tools. Additionally, Elmenus aims to boost local talent development through mentorship and support programs for riders and restaurant partners.
Amir Allam, Elmenus' founder, described the company's journey as one that started with a small investment, a laptop, and two teammates, and grew into a brand that impacted millions and brought lasting positive change to an entire industry. Elmenus started as a food discovery site in 2011 and has become a key player in Egypt's food delivery space.
Elmenus has raised money from investors including Fawry, Luxor Capital, Global Ventures, Algebra Ventures, and former Just Eat CEO David Buttress. Walid El-Saadany stated that Elmenus is at an inflection point, entering a new chapter focused on local relevance and world-class execution. He aims to make Elmenus more than a food delivery platform and build an ecosystem that empowers Egyptian talent, supports small businesses, and leads the country's digital transformation.
[1] Elmenus Appoints Walid El-Saadany as CEO
[2] Elmenus Plans Nationwide Expansion Under New CEO
[3] Elmenus Aims for Digital Transformation with New Leadership
[1] With the appointment of seasoned industry veteran Walid El-Saadany, Elmenus, a prominent Cairo-based food delivery platform, is set to invest in its growth beyond major cities, promising to onboard over 4,000 restaurants across underserved cities and towns, leveraging technology for improved accessibility.
[2] Under El-Saadany's leadership, Elmenus plans to scale its operations nationwide, expand its food-tech sector market presence, and boost the local economy by integrating artificial intelligence for enhanced ordering, delivery, and personalized food recommendations, while developing talent through mentorship programs.
