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How to Start a Sandwich Shop Business in Dubai with Meydan Free Zone
The sandwich shop is the most commercially accessible and operationally flexible specialist food service format: a defined product, a counter or delivery model, lower capital requirements than a full restaurant, and a customer base that spans every demographic, occasion, and price point. The global sandwiches market was valued at USD 12.6 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 20.79 billion by 2033 at a CAGR of 5.72%, according to SkyQuestt¹. Fresh sandwiches dominate the market by product type, accounting for USD 139.39 billion in the broader fresh food-to-go category in 2024, reflecting the growing global preference for convenient, customisable, freshly prepared food.
Dubai’s sandwich shop scene ranges from long-established neighbourhood cafeterias to the new wave of artisan deli concepts targeting the city’s premium consumer. Rascals Deli, described as a ‘cult following’ concept, found its permanent home in Wasl Square in 2024, serving pastrami and roast beef sandos with New York deli DNA. Pressman’s in Al Quoz serves Philly steaks, BBQ chicken, and the pressed Italian sandwich. Gino’s Deli and Birch Bakery complete the artisan deli tier. At the international chain level, Subway, PotBelly, Charley’s Philly Steaks (Mall of the Emirates), and Pret A Manger operate across multiple UAE locations. At the multicultural street food end, Vietnamese banh mi at Vietnamese Foodies in JLT, and Al Ijaza Cafeteria in Jumeirah, operating since 1990, represent the depth of the category. Code 5629.97 carries a Dubai Municipality post-licence food safety approval requirement.
Who is this for?
| Audience Segment | Profile |
|---|---|
| Artisan deli and gourmet sandwich shop operators | Operators of artisan deli and specialty sandwich shops serving freshly prepared gourmet sandwiches, subs, and deli-style offerings using premium ingredients, specialty breads, and curated filling combinations, targeting the premium food-to-go and casual dining market. |
| Quick-service and neighbourhood sandwich counter operators | Operators of quick-service sandwich counters, neighbourhood cafeteria sandwich operations, and takeaway-focused sandwich concepts serving freshly made sandwiches, wraps, and rolls for immediate consumption or delivery, across all price points from everyday lunch counters to fast-casual formats. |
| Multicultural and specialty sandwich concept operators | Operators of specialty sandwich concepts focused on a particular cultural or regional sandwich tradition, including Vietnamese banh mi, Italian pressed sandwiches, American-style Philly steaks and subs, Levantine wraps, and Emirati-inspired sandwich formats, serving Dubai’s multicultural consumer population. |
5629.97 - Sandwich Shop
| Category | Scope |
|---|---|
| Artisan deli and gourmet sandwiches | Artisan deli and gourmet sandwich shop operations Operation of an artisan deli or gourmet sandwich shop producing freshly prepared premium sandwiches using specialty breads, premium ingredients, house-made condiments, and curated filling combinations targeting the premium food-to-go and casual dining market. |
| Quick-service and neighbourhood sandwich counters | Quick-service and neighbourhood sandwich counter operations Operation of a quick-service sandwich counter, neighbourhood cafeteria sandwich section, or takeaway-focused sandwich outlet producing freshly made sandwiches, rolls, and wraps for immediate consumption, delivery, and takeaway at accessible price points. |
| Multicultural and specialty sandwich formats | Multicultural and specialty sandwich concept operations Operation of a sandwich shop specialising in a specific cultural or regional sandwich tradition, Vietnamese banh mi, Italian tramezzino or panini, American cheesesteak or club, Levantine wrap, or Emirati-inspired filled bread, serving Dubai’s multicultural consumer population. |
Code 5629.97 covers the preparation and service of sandwiches, subs, wraps, and filled bread products as the primary food service format from a sandwich shop. It does not cover general restaurant operations with broad menus where sandwiches appear as one of many items (5610.00); pastry and bakery shop operations where sandwiches are incidental to a patisserie menu (5629.94); or the manufacture and retail of packaged sandwiches through supermarkets (ISIC 47). It expressly excludes the manufacture and retail sale of perishable food items. DM FoodWatch registration and food safety approval must be obtained before commencing service.
In short: if you operate a sandwich shop where freshly prepared sandwiches, wraps, or filled breads are the primary product, DM post-approval applies and you are in. If you run a general restaurant or manufacture packaged sandwiches for retail, you are not under this code.
Third-Party Approval
This activity requires Dubai Municipality Food Safety Department approval after the Meydan Free Zone licence is issued but before operations commence; operators must register on the DM FoodWatch platform, submit a food safety plan, pass inspection, and obtain a food safety certificate before serving customers.
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance
This activity is not classified as a Designated Non-Financial Business or Profession (DNFBP) under UAE anti-money laundering legislation, and operators are not subject to AML registration or reporting obligations specific to this licence category.
References
- ¹ SkyQuestt, Sandwiches Market Size, Share and Forecast Report 2033 - https://www.skyquestt.com/report/sandwiches-market
- ² Technavio, Sandwiches Market Growth Analysis, Size and Forecast 2026–2030 - https://www.technavio.com/report/sandwiches-market-industry-analysis
- ³ What’s On UAE, 4 Sandwich Shops in Dubai That Are Doing It Differently - https://whatson.ae/2024/07/3-sandwich-shops-in-dubai-that-are-doing-it-differently/
- ⁴ MyBayut, Best Sandwich Shops in Dubai: Subway, Charley’s Philly and More - https://www.bayut.com/mybayut/sandwich-shops-dubai/
- ⁵ Dubai’s Best, Top 10 Best Sandwich Shops in Dubai - https://www.dubaisbest.com/best-sandwich-shops-dubai/
