Dodo Pizza, the global digital-first pizza brand, announces the grand opening of the Kids Pizza Academy in Jumeirah Lakes Towers on June 27, 2026. This is Dubai’s first fully dedicated, purpose-built culinary edutainment (education and entertainment) space designed specifically for children aged 3-12.
Unlike the traditional concept of a restaurant play area, the Academy blends a real open kitchen with playful design to offer a safe, screen-free environment where children can explore creativity, practice problem-solving, and build confidence through pizza-making.
A New Standard in Edutainment
The Middle East & Africa Family Entertainment Centre market is expanding rapidly, growing at an 11.5% CAGR from 2024 to 2031 and <a href="https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/family-entertainment-center-fec-market”>is projected to grow to $93.5 billion by 2035, driven by parents seeking high-quality alternatives to passive digital entertainment. Moreover, the launch contributes positively to Dubai’s community landscape at a time when family initiatives, including the UAE’s designation of 2026 as the “Year of the Family”, are a national priority.
“We wanted to build a place for children and parents, a community hub. The Kids Pizza Academy is designed to be a space where every child gets a seat at the table. It is about independence, teamwork, and the joy of creating something with your own hands. In a fast-paced city like Dubai, we are slowing things down to focus on meaningful connections and skill-building,” says Anton Nykyforov, Marketing director at Dodo Pizza UAE.
Academy Highlights
Operated by trained pizza makers and instructors, the facility handles everything from group sessions for everyone to school groups and birthday parties. Activities are tailored by age groups, ensuring comfort and developmental alignment.
- Daily Masterclasses: The signature “Masters of Pizza” class and seasonal “Themed Culinary Adventures”.
- Educational Field Trips: Tailored packages for schools combining real cooking activities with teamwork challenges.
- All-Inclusive Celebrations: Customisable birthday parties and private events.
- Inclusion & Accessibility: Programs designed to accommodate diverse backgrounds, ensuring every child feels confident and inspired.
- Support for Communities: Community groups, family centres, and brands can co-create events, charity workshops, or themed activities that promote children’s learning and wellbeing.
Beyond the core activities, Dodo Pizza plans to introduce seasonal culinary festivals, international cuisine weeks, charity events, and collaborative programs with schools and family organisations. The long-term ambition is to turn the Kids Pizza Academy into the leading culinary edutainment brand in the UAE and GCC.
Grand Opening
The Kids Pizza Academy will host its Grand Opening on June 27, 2026, at 4PM. Families are invited to experience the space, meet the instructors, and enjoy the inaugural masterclasses.
Located in JLT Cluster T, the Academy is situated in a high-density family hub, easily accessible from Dubai Marina, JBR, and Palm Jumeirah.
About company
Dodo Pizza is part of the international franchising company Dodo Brands. Founded in 2011, Dodo Brands has been operating for more than 15 years and has grown into a global foodservice platform with over 1,650 restaurants across 26 countries. Dodo Pizza ranks 6th among the world’s top 10 largest international pizza chains by number of stores. Bloomberg has also named Dodo Pizza among the fastest-growing restaurant chains globally.
The holding develops a portfolio of QSR brands on the basis of its proprietary tech platform. In 2025, the company reported revenue of more than $1.8 billion, achieving 22% year-on-year growth.
Dodo Pizza UAE opened in January 2023, followed by the first franchised store in June 2024. Today, the chain operates 13+ locations in the UAE, with more openings planned for 2026.
