McDonald's UAE earns autism-friendly certification for 15 Dubai restaurants.
McDonald's UAE has received autism-friendly certification from Dubai Autism Center for 15 of its restaurants in Dubai. The company says it is the first quick-service restaurant brand in the UAE to earn the certificate.
The move followed questions from families of autistic children, who had asked the brand whether its restaurants could accommodate their children and whether staff knew how to support them. To meet the centre's programme standards, restaurant employees were trained in autism awareness, sensory and communication needs, and practical ways to help autistic guests and their families. Certified restaurants will also offer Autism Friendly Kits with sensory tools for use during a visit. The 15 sites include Al Ghurair Center, Al Bustan Center, The Walk JBR, Bluewaters, Oasis Mall Dubai and ENOC Al Khamila Street.
Walid Fakih, CEO of McDonald's UAE, described the Dubai restaurants as a first phase and said the brand plans to extend the programme gradually to other emirates. A memorandum of understanding between McDonald's UAE and Dubai Autism Center sets a framework for further work on autism awareness, inclusive practice and possible expansion. Mohammed Al Emadi, the centre's CEO and a board member, said private-sector leadership is central to creating places where People of Determination can take a full part in society. McDonald's UAE, run by Emirates Fast Food Company, says it operates more than 200 restaurants in the country.
Neither organisation has given a timeline for the other emirates, the number of employees trained, or how the certification is audited and renewed.
For brands in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf with physical stores, the case shows accessibility work driven by customer feedback and backed by an independent local certifier, which gives a brand a claim it can point to rather than a campaign line.
Why it matters
Third-party accessibility certification is becoming a service claim Gulf consumer brands can verify and promote, and McDonald's UAE has set a marker for the region's quick-service sector.
Related trends.
KFC opens its first Muse restaurant in Dubai as it moves towards experience-led dining
KFC has opened the first restaurant in its new Muse format at Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) in Dubai, a concept built around design, technology and customer interaction. The brand says Seoul will get the second Muse site by the end of 2026.
Why it mattersA global fast-food chain picked Dubai to pilot its flagship format, treating the restaurant itself as a channel for content, loyalty rewards and new menu occasions.
Spine wins hasenkamp Middle East account after pitch of over six months
Spine Marketing Consultancy has won the communications, content, social media and strategic marketing account for hasenkamp Middle East, Campaign Middle East reported on 2 November. The pitch ran for more than six months and included several multinational agencies.
Why it mattersA specialist agency beating networks for a culture-sector account suggests the Gulf's museum and heritage build-out could create new B2B marketing briefs.
7-Eleven sells its Korean menu through a seven-part micro K-drama
7-Eleven is promoting its new Flavors of Korea menu with A Convenient Love, a short vertical K-drama series on Instagram and TikTok. Episodes start on 2 November and run until 23 November, each tied to a discount on one dish.
Why it mattersIt's a simple model for branded microdramas: each episode sells one product with one limited-time offer, so the series can be judged on redemptions rather than views alone.
