Expansion of a homemade chocolate business in Dubai across multiple American states
Sahara Middle Eastern Eatery Expands Chocolate Operation Across Multiple States
Sahara Middle Eastern Eatery, a family-owned business based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, has been serving Mediterranean cuisine since 2007. Over the years, the business has grown significantly and recently expanded its chocolate operation from a small kitchen operation to a multistate one.
The heart of Sahara's chocolate creations lies in its in-house production, with five dedicated employees crafting about 70% of the chocolate products. However, the business also indirectly supports 100 people who make the specialty treats in a factory in Dubai.
This Dubai chocolate operation, launched in July 2024, has undergone substantial expansion and is now operating across multiple states. The expansion into three new states (Colorado, Texas, and Nevada) took place just over the last five months.
The Dubai chocolate, made of crispy kataifi shredded filo dough, tahini paste, pistachio cream, and chocolate, became popular after being highlighted in a viral social media post in 2023. Sahara's chocolate offerings have since expanded to include truffles, baklavas, and bars with unique flavors such as cotton candy, Kinder's Bueno, and marshmallow crunch.
Sahara Middle Eastern Eatery sells at least 1,000 bars through vending machines and kiosks in 10 malls and casinos across four states. The business is in discussions with malls in California and Arizona for potential expansion, and is also set to open five new vending machines across Texas, Las Vegas, Nevada, and New Mexico, including on Kirtland Air Force Base.
Khalil, an unspecified individual associated with Sahara Middle Eastern Eatery, acknowledged the significant growth of the business. "We are thrilled to see the reception our Dubai chocolate has received," he said. "We are committed to continuing to bring unique and delicious chocolate creations to our customers."
As Sahara Middle Eastern Eatery continues to grow, it remains dedicated to maintaining a significant portion of its chocolate creations in-house, while also supporting a larger community of chocolate makers in Dubai.
