In a decisive response to a significant internal security breach, Qatar’s popular restaurant chain Poori & Karak has implemented a temporary suspension of all cash payments across its eight locations. The company confirmed through its official Instagram channel that multiple employees orchestrated a sophisticated theft operation, resulting in substantial financial damages described as the chain’s most severe operational setback of 2025.
The management characterized the incident as their ‘largest internal theft incident’ of the year, though specific financial figures remain undisclosed. The fraudulent activities specifically targeted cash transaction processes, prompting the immediate transition to exclusive bank card and digital payment acceptance. This measure, according to company statements, aims to safeguard corporate assets, enhance financial transparency, and ensure the integrity of ongoing operations.
Poori & Karak, with establishments in prominent locations including Qatar Sports Club and Al Wakra, emphasized that the payment policy shift is temporary while internal controls undergo comprehensive review and strengthening. Restaurant management separately expressed strong confidence in their remaining workforce, acknowledging staff cooperation and commitment during the transitional period.
This incident occurs against the backdrop of accelerating digital payment adoption across Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Younger demographics in particular are driving this transformation, valuing the enhanced security, convenience, and operational efficiency that electronic transactions provide. The region’s rapidly expanding digital infrastructure continues to facilitate this shift toward cashless economies, with businesses increasingly prioritizing financial security mechanisms.