At a Glance
- Elmenus appoints Walid El-Saadany to lead growth, AI integration, and restaurant digitization.
- Founder Amir Allam steps aside after 14 years, remaining on board to support the mission.
- Platform targets underserved towns, fintech integration, and 4,000+ restaurant onboardings in the next phase.
Elmenus, the Cairo-based food-tech platform redefining digital dining in Egypt, has appointed Walid El-Saadany as CEO and Board Member, marking a strategic leadership transition as the company enters a new phase of expansion, AI integration, and restaurant empowerment.
The move sees founder Amir Allam, who launched the startup in 2011 with $5,000 and a vision to transform food discovery, step into a board role after 14 years at the helm.
El-Saadany, a seasoned operator known for scaling Egypt’s earliest delivery platforms, brings fresh momentum as Elmenus deepens its commitment to local innovation, small business support, and national digital transformation.
A founder’s legacy, a new chapter begins
Amir Allam grew Elmenus from a digital menu directory into one of Egypt’s most trusted food-tech brands, serving over 8.5 million users across major cities and enabling thousands of restaurants to digitize their services.
Under his leadership, the company raised $30 million from major backers including Careem, Global Ventures, Algebra Ventures, and ex-Just Eat CEO David Buttress.
“It’s time to pass the baton,” Allam said. “What started with a laptop and two teammates became a platform that shaped a whole industry and created tens of thousands of jobs. I remain fully committed to our mission.”
From delivery to digital ecosystem
Walid El-Saadany steps in with nearly two decades of experience across logistics, platform scaling, and venture capital. He previously led Otlob—Egypt’s pioneering food delivery service—through major acquisitions by Foodpanda and Delivery Hero, rebranding it as Talabat.
“Elmenus is at an inflection point,” said El-Saadany. “We’re not just delivering food—we’re building a digital ecosystem that empowers Egyptian talent, enables small businesses, and strengthens the country’s tech backbone.”
Shore Africa further gathered that his mandate includes expanding beyond core cities like Cairo and Alexandria into underserved towns, onboarding 4,000+ new restaurants, and deploying AI tools for smarter food discovery, real-time delivery tracking, and operational efficiency.
Talent, tech, and inclusion at the core
At the heart of Elmenus’ next phase is a focus on inclusive growth. From upskilling developers to formalizing delivery rider programs, the company is investing in Egypt’s digital workforce. It’s also launching initiatives to empower women-led community kitchens and boost youth participation in tech.
Restaurants benefit from advanced digital dashboards, loyalty tools, and analytics aimed at sustainable growth—positioning Elmenus not just as a vendor, but a strategic partner in their transformation.
Tapping tourism and fintech to scale impact
As Egypt’s tourism sector rebounds, Elmenus is positioning itself as a digital bridge between travelers and authentic local cuisine. The platform integrates with e-wallets, bank cards, and fintech solutions—supporting the country’s push toward cashless payments.
By harnessing AI for price optimization, order prediction, and personalized recommendations, Elmenus aims to deliver not only meals but opportunity—to partners, users, and communities alike.
Building Egypt’s food-tech future
Founded in 2011, Elmenus has grown into a national food-tech force, now present in over 20 cities. With a local-first ethos and a data-driven strategy, it’s pioneering a uniquely Egyptian digital dining model—one built on innovation, equity, and enduring impact.
“Elmenus is more than a platform,” said El-Saadany. “It’s a movement to modernize how Egypt eats, works, and grows.”
