Meet the Founders

"I recall testing recipes in my own little kitchen and sending them to neighbors for feedback."

From a small home kitchen to a widespread operation with franchises all over the Middle East: how we turned our vision to reality!

My husband, Rifaat Jabri & I, Sawsan Wazzan Jabri, met at the American University of Beirut in the late 1970's, both Chemistry students with an interest in the Food Industry & the world of Nutrition. We went on to pursue masters in Nutrition & Food Technology and started work at a factory in Chtaura shortly after.

When we fled the country during the war, we saw a novel market in the U.S. that didn't exist yet in the Middle East. In the early 80's, people weren't yet aware of the importance of Nutrition & wellbeing, contrary to the West. It was the first time we heard of a company solely dedicated to help people achieve their fitness goals through nutritional consultations and catering! We studied the market thoroughly and when it was time to go back home, we knew we had to bring the idea into action!

Our focus wasn't limited to weight loss, rather, we wanted to create delicious, nutritionally-balanced menus and alter the calorie count depending on the client's goals. I recall testing recipes in my own little kitchen and sending them to neighbors for feedback. The challenge: achieving great taste that Lebanese population approves of & keeping the calories at a minimum! Through tough work and dedication, the first ever Diet Center opened its doors in 1990, on the team: dietitians, chefs, cooks & of course my husband and I!

As pioneers in the Middle East, we got the attention of many other countries such as Saudi Arabia & Kuwait, where obesity was raising major concern. The first franchise opened in Riyadh in 1996, then in Jeddah in 1999, Kuwait in 2000, and Qatar in 2004. 

Today, 28 years later, the Diet Center in Lebanon remains the leading weight loss company in Lebanon, offering consultations, medical care, catering, retail operations, University presence, internships & more!

Diet Center is more than just a business, it's a family business that thrives to make each client feel at home, cared for, encouraged, and offered all the support and positive energy to reach their goals!