Christine Sfeir

Christine Sfeir

Field:

Franchise Development, Hospitality Management, and Strategic Business Leadership
Christine Sfeir is a Lebanese businesswoman ranked among the top 100 Arab women for her impressive entrepreneurial accomplishments. At just 22 years old, she moved to Beirut from Montreal and opened the first Dunkin’ Donuts in Lebanon, successfully meeting the city’s demand for cafes. Over the years, she grew her influence in the restaurant industry, later becoming the CEO of Treats Holding, which owns Lebanese food chains Semsom and Green Falafel. Sfeir’s success story includes expanding Semsom into regional markets such as Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, with future plans for expansion into India. Sfeir’s entrepreneurial journey began in 1996 when she took charge of Dunkin’ Donuts’ Lebanese franchise. By 2008, she became the CEO of Treats Holding, overseeing Dunkin’ Donuts Lebanon and Semsom. Her remarkable achievements have earned her numerous accolades, including being named one of the 100 most powerful Arab women by Forbes in 2012, 2013, and 2014. She was also selected to participate in the BBC World News series “Escape from the Boardroom” in 2013, and she received the Arabian Businesswomen of the Year Award in Dubai in 2011. Throughout her career, she has been recognized for her leadership in hospitality and franchising, receiving the Women Achiever in Hospitality Award in 2010 and the Pathfinder Award from Dunkin’ Donuts in 2007. Despite her demanding career, she continues to balance work and family life while shaping the future of the Lebanese food and restaurant industry.