I’m Firas Wannous, the proud owner of FW Management, a hospitality group that’s home to several distinctive and successful restaurants: Chabablaki, Sheikh El Meshwe, Sama Arze and Laymounia.

Moreover, FW management has invested and co-founded various projects including Karakand and the successful chains of Machrou3 Cafe.

My journey in the world of hospitality began at the age of 15, working as a kitchen employee at a small cafe called Saj Cafe in 2006. When the owners decided to sell, I took a bold step and rented the place myself. That leap of faith turned into a big success, marking the beginning of my entrepreneurial path. After closing Saj Cafe, I ventured into catering and cocktail design, even earning a degree in the latter. The road wasn’t always smooth—I’ve faced my share of ups and downs, made mistakes, and learned invaluable lessons along the way.

In 2012, I opened Mousikar, a nightclub that quickly became a hit. But it wasn’t until 2018, after a difficult period in my life, that my true story began. 

A friend approached me with an interest of opening up a new business, so I suggested the idea and together we launched Machrou3 Cafe, a groundbreaking resto-café concept in Lebanon. We opened Machrou3 Cafe during extremely tough economic times, when the country was experiencing a revolution. Despite the challenges, we pressed forward, opening a new branch every month, staying true to our vision and determination. The strategy was ambitious—10 locations in one year—but the success was undeniable. In 2020, we introduced Lebanon’s first collaboration concept with Machrou3 Pros, followed by Machrou3 Taiga in 2021.

Driven by my passion for the F&B industry, I opened several more restaurants, each one reflecting a different facet of my character and vision. In 2022, I launched Sama Arze, a concept that blends love for sunsets, international dishes, and Arabian nights.

Inspired by a gentleman in his 30s who loves to enjoy life, I created Chabablaki—a stylish resto-café where you can sing your heart out, savor a delicious meal, or engage in a flirty conversation. Chabablaki is all about living life at its best!

In 2023, Sheikh El Meshwe came to life—a barbecue place inspired by an old Lebanese character who lived most of his life in the USA and decided to return to Lebanon, blending Lebanese and American flavors.

In 2024, Laymounia was born in Le Mall Dbayeh. This resto-café was crafted for families, business lunches, or even small coffee breaks while shopping. The ambiance is zesty and infused with a natural, refreshing feel.

Along the way, I’ve also taken on consultancy projects, helping to shape places like Anas (2021), a shisha accessories brand, and Kahwit El Taiga Qatar (2024). 

Through FW Management, I’ve been able to create unique experiences for our guests, where each venue embodies a different part of my vision and this is just the beginning! Cheers to more successes ahead!