Dubai-based fast casual restaurant Salt Bay is a floating burger joint that aims to change the traditional drive-thru ordering process. In addition to its fun name which is an homage to social media star and chef Salt Bae, the unique restaurant is the first to adopt an "Aqua Pod" concept. The Aqua Pod watercraft is conceived by architect Ahmed Youssef and was launched in collaboration with entrepreneur and Salt Bay founder Koussei Kurbaj.
The floating eatery is compact and customizable, targeting a demographic of beach goers or boaters looking to pick up fast food while on the water. Salt Bay's exterior facade is accented with warm wood detailing and the eatery's logo and can be re-adapted to match the needs of other QSR chains looking to provide a more interactive drive-thru option for patrons.
Floating Drive-Thru Concepts
Dubai's Salt Bay is a Sustainable and Floating Fast Casual Restaurant
Trend Themes
1. Floating Drive-thru Concepts - Opportunity to innovate the drive-thru experience with a mobile and more inclusive concept that targets beach goers or boaters.
2. Sustainable Fast Casual Restaurants - Disruptive innovation to traditional fast food by offering sustainable options, emphasizing eco-friendliness and adopting unique concepts like a floating eatery.
3. Customizable Restaurant Concepts - Tailoring restaurants’ façades to match the needs of various brands make more efficient use of space and make the drive-thru more interactive, making the experience more memorable.
Industry Implications
1. Fast Food - Create an eco-friendly platform with store fronts that not only offer fast food but also highlights businesses that actively work to reduce carbon footprint.
2. Marine Industry - Incorporate fast food services in boats, create customized water crafts that cater to food services or use sustainable materials to create an environmental friendly product for ocean activities.
3. Hospitality - Invent restaurant concepts suited for different demographics like beach-goers or boaters, create interactive drive-thrus that utilize existing space more efficiently while driving memorable experiences.