Saudi-based Foodics has completed the full acquisition of Greece-based AI and data intelligence startup Norma AI, strengthening its push into AI-powered restaurant operations across the Middle East and North Africa.
Founded by George Henein and Anastasios Anastasiadis, Norma AI developed analytics tools that allow restaurant operators to query business data using natural language, eliminating the need for technical expertise. The company launched what it describes as the hospitality industry’s first natural-language business intelligence platform in 2024.
Foodics initially acquired a minority stake in Norma in Q1 2025 before integrating its technology into the Foodics ecosystem. Since then, Norma’s analytics solutions have been adopted across more than 10,000 branches using the Foodics platform. Following the completion of the acquisition, the entire Norma team has joined Foodics’ AI division, where they will focus on developing agentic AI solutions for restaurant operators.
Foodics Co-founder and CEO Ahmad AlZaini said the acquisition will accelerate the company’s AI roadmap, helping restaurants turn operational data into faster and more effective business decisions.
The move comes as Foodics continues to expand its footprint across the GCC and North Africa, serving more than 40,000 restaurant branches through its operations and financial management platform.
Why it matters for the region
The acquisition signals a growing trend of MENA technology companies acquiring international AI startups to strengthen their product capabilities rather than building everything internally. It also highlights the increasing role of AI in the region’s hospitality sector, one of the largest and fastest-growing industries across the GCC.
For restaurant operators, the integration of Norma’s technology could make advanced analytics accessible to thousands of businesses that previously lacked dedicated data teams. For the wider ecosystem, the deal demonstrates how regional champions like Foodics are evolving from software providers into AI-native platforms capable of competing on a global scale.
