Just the right people
A team that works together to steer the brand that is Just Falafel. Allow us to introduce ourselves.
Fadi Malas
Chief Executive Officer
Fadi Malas, CEO of one of the world's fastest growing F&B brands, is an experienced business leader, catalyst and strategist spearheading the rapid global expansion of Just Falafel. He brings with him a formidable amount of diverse business expertise spanning banking, asset management, financial engineering, retail and F&B, with strong focus on expansion and development plans.
Mohamad Bitar
Founder & Managing Director
An entrepreneur by nature, Mohamad is one of the founders of Just Falafel. Over the last 15 years, he has led marketing and business development teams of several large companies in Beirut, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and has been accountable for implementing strategy across the MENA and GCC regions. As Managing Director at Just Falafel, he leads operations, marketing and business development and brand expansion across the globe.
Mohamed also brings to the table a formidable knowledge of chick flicks, being a fan.
Ahmad Hariri
Chairman of Veg Zone Ltd
Ahmad Hariri started his career in banking in the United Kingdom with Citigroup, following which he joined family owned companies working in various subsidiaries including insurance, banking, construction and telecoms. In 2008 Hariri set up Centurion Holding, a family owned investment company with exposure across the real-estate and retail sectors in the United Kingdom and the Middle East. Just Falafel is Centurion's latest project and Hariri plays an active and key role in driving the ambitions UK expansion plans forward.
Talal El Hajj
UK Master Franchisee/ Owner Representative of Just Falafel
Talal, MA in Entrepreneurship from Regents College, London, has over 5 years experience in operations of food and beverage outlets. Talal’s role at Just Falafel is to leverage his expertise in assisting with the operations structure for the Just Falafel UK operation. Away from work, Talal needs to be fed a good dose of basketball to keep him going.
Rami Tabbara
Director of EMEA Franchising
Rami has over 6 years of experience in sales for Real Estate Development. He has managed sales teams in Russia, Africa, and the Gulf achieving volume of over 1.5 Billion USD. At Just Falafel Rami is responsible for growing the franchise business in the EMEA area. Loves the Lakers and a big fan of Kobe Bryant. Wanted to be Batman when he was a kid.
Khaled Mersi
Chief Business Officer & Chief Corporate Governance Officer
Khaled Mersi is a veteran financial services executive with more than 25 years of professional experience in the banking sector. His career includes consulting in one of the key international firms covering the financial services in the Middle East. At Just Falafel, Khaled has a dual role as the Chief Business Officer and Chief Corporate Governance Officer. He plays a significant role in growing the business, steering the expansion and strategic partnerships globally and is in charge of instilling effective corporate governance, increasing transparency and accountability from within, in support of taking Just Falafel public.
A complete businessman, Khaled likes to unwind with a good bedtime business book.
Maisa Mannila
Marketing Manager
Maisa joined Just Falafel in February 2011. She is responsible for the Just Falafel brand representation, development and strategy, as well as marketing communications, advertising and promotional campaigns. Maisa, originally from Finland, has more than 7 years of experience in marketing and public relations roles from both public and private sector in Europe and the Middle East. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations & Economics from London School of Economics and King’s College, London, and an MBA from Murdoch University. Tough and sharp though she is, Maisa is a kind-hearted vegetarian.
Jonathan Guiffant
Franchise Manager
Franchise Manager Jon joined Just Falafel in November 2010. He has a sound academic background, with a Master’s in Auditing, Company Analysis and Advice and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management. Before working for Just Falafel Jon was a Corporate Banker in Paris, France, and has varied experience in managing customer expectations, risk analysis and financial strategy. And through it all, he has always been a dedicated motor bike fan.
Hussein El Reda
Strategy Execution Manager
Hussein joined Just Falafel in January 2012 as the Strategy Execution Manager for both the UAE and international markets. He is responsible for assisting in strategy formulation, plans execution, process improvements, and communication of strategies to all Heads of Departments and Franchisees. Hussein, a US National, holds a degree in Business Administration from the American University of Beirut and has 5 years of banking experience entailing an in-depth insight into the core operations covered under Investment Banking Advisory services and Client Relationship Management. He is also a self-confessed fantastic dancer.
Sajith Krishna
IT Manager
Sajith, has a successful track record in project management, design, development, testing and implementation of ERP applications such as Navision, Oracle, JD Edwards, as well as managing large IT infrastructure system analysis and programming. With more than 16 years of experience Sajith is responsible for managing and executing Software Implementation globally, development of IT Infrastructure, networking and hardware recommendations and troubleshooting. Sajith’s also a big fan of cricket, football and table tennis.
Sarah-Jane Heany
Business Development Director-UK
Sarah-Jane Heany brings life and energy to the role of Business Development Director - UK. Starting her career at Pret-a-Manger working alongside the founders she is looking forward to replicating that success with Just Falafel UK. She’s passionate about the brand, passionate about food and a stickler for quality and good service. Excited about rolling out JF’s all over London and the UK S-J’s can do attitude is just what JF is all about.
Michael Sanz
CPU Director-UK
An award winning chef with over 20 years of experience from Sushi to Italian from Boot Camp to Fine Dining, Michael’s unique innovative style adds flare and excitement to Just Falafel UK. As Director of the CPU Michael is in charge of quality controlling the JF menu to ensure the highest standards are maintained. Micheal has previously won the 1989 Tilda/Watson and Phillips Recipe Award and the 1997 Stakis Master Chef Competition.
Reema Shetty
Founding Partner
Reema founded Just Falafel with her husband Mohamad Bitar in 2007. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Boston University, she joined her family business, the NMC Group, in 2001 and gained experience in business process re-engineering and start-up ventures in various industries from Medical, Hospitality, Pharmaceutical to F&B and Education. She is an Overseer to the Board of Trustees of Boston University. At Just Falafel, Reema focuses on Strategy and International Business Development.
When not on the move, Reema likes to get on her feet again with some fancy Zumba moves.
Neerja Gupta
Chief Financial Officer
Neerja joined Just Falafel in the beginning of 2012 as the Chief Financial Officer. Her responsibilities encompass functions in Finance, Treasury, Legal, Human Resources, Accounting and Information Systems. Prior to joining Just Falafel, Neerja worked as a Senior Finance Manager in the hospitality division of one of the largest retail and hospitality chains in the Middle East. Having lived in Thailand for 10 years, Neerja relocated to Dubai in 2007. Neerja, a Chartered Accountant and a Fellow member of The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, began her professional career in 1990 in India as an auditor with PriceWater House Coopers in New Delhi. She also received a Bachelor’s degree in Economics Honors from University of Delhi, India.
Ahmad Kaskas
Corporate Executive Chef
Ahmad has been the executive chef at Just Falafel since the brand launched in 2007, developing the innovative concept of theming the sandwiches from countries across the world, as well as creating the recipes that make the Just Falafel sandwiches taste the way they do! Ahmad, who is also in charge of the Central Production Units and quality control globally, has a long history as a chef, running kitchens in Lebanon, Jordan and Libya, as well as consulting and troubleshooting for catering companies and restaurants across the gulf region.
Sara Ali
HR and Admin Manager
Sara joined Just falafel in August 2011 as HR and Admin Manager. She is responsible for recruitment and talent acquisition, implementation of HR policies and procedures, performance appraisals with heads of departments, payroll and employee records and also manages company administration responsibilities. Sara holds a degree in Bachelor of Arts from Beacon House of Informatics in Pakistan and a Diploma in Business Studies from Oxford University. She has more than 4 years of experience in the banking and SME sectors. In her personal life, she likes flirting with spices when she cooks.
Muhammed Arslan Shahid
Finance Manager
Arslan is a self motivated and enthusiastic Chartered Certified Accountant with more than 3 years of experience in Finance and Audit. He has also held a variety of progressively responsible roles in Management and Sales & Marketing. At Just Falafel Arslan is multi-tasking at different levels. His responsibilities include Cost Analysis, Pricing Strategy, POS and Back End implementation for different markets. He likes to unwind by zipping around in a sports car.