The restaurant chain’s participation in AccessAbilities Expo 2025 showcases technology being used to make the restaurant experience truly inclusive
Dubai: Hardee’s is taking bold steps toward inclusivity, aiming to become the first fully accessible restaurant in the Middle East. Through a series of innovative accessibility tools, staff training, and community partnerships, the brand is reimagining what dining means for People of Determination—ensuring everyone, regardless of physical ability, can enjoy the full restaurant experience.
“We are introducing Hardee’s as a restaurant that is accessible for People of Determination—whether they have visual, hearing, or physical challenges,” said Sara Boutros, Marketing Manager for UAE, Qatar and Oman. “These tools are not available in any other restaurant in the UAE. We hope to be the first to complete and announce that we are fully accessible.”
At the heart of the initiative are thoughtful design and technology-driven solutions. Hardee’s is integrating ramps for wheelchair users, tactile floor indicators for people who are visually impaired, and interactive features that make ordering easier for everyone. These initiatives were at display at the AccessAbilities Expo 2025, which took place at the World Trade Centre from October 6 to 8.
For customers who are blind, each store will include QR codes linked to an app that audibly guides users through the restaurant space and menu options. “Whenever they scan the barcode, the app tells them what’s in front of them—whether it’s the counter, the menu, or a specific meal,” Boutros explained.
For customers who are deaf or hard of hearing, a new microphone system at the cashier counter connects directly with compatible hearing devices, transmitting speech signals to the customer’s earpiece. “Even if a cashier doesn’t know sign language, this technology ensures that communication remains seamless,” Boutros said. “We’re also training our team to be aware of different communication needs.”
The brand’s accessibility mission began with a deeply personal experience during Ramadan, when Boutros visited the Rashid Center for People of Determination. “I saw students expressing emotions through art after listening to music—it was fascinating,” she recalled. “I told my team I didn’t want to just do another donation campaign. I wanted people to see their art, to encourage them.”
That idea led to a Ramadan collaboration where Hardee’s turned the students’ artwork into postcards distributed with meals. Customers were encouraged to write messages of hope and share them on social media, tagging the artists and their centers. The campaign went viral, generating thousands of interactions and heartfelt community engagement.
“The feedback was incredible,” said Boutros. “A family member told me that her couldn’t sleep the night before her visit to Hardee’s – she was that excited to come, to order, and to be part of the experience.”
Building on that success, Hardee’s has continued its partnerships with the Awladouna Center for People of Determination and other organizations, offering training opportunities within its restaurants and involving participants in real workplace experiences.
While many of Hardee’s UAE outlets already feature some of these accessible elements, the brand is now working to retrofit existing restaurants and ensure all new branches are built with accessibility in mind. “We have over a hundred outlets, so it will take time,” Boutros admitted. “But this is our mission, so that no one ever says, ‘I can’t go to Hardee’s.’ We want everyone to feel included.”
For Hardee’s, the initiative is more than a campaign – it’s a mission to make dining an experience that truly welcomes everyone. “You realize how much we take for granted. Something as simple as ordering food can be a joyful experience for someone who’s never been able to do it independently,” she said. “That’s what drives us, to make every part of that experience easier, kinder, and more human.”
