Casablanca: Restaurant Owners Outraged

Mohamed Houmi, president of the Moroccan Association of Café and Restaurant Owners in the Casablanca-Settat region, does not approve of this measure, which, according to him, “does not take into account the specific characteristics of franchises, where color is part of the visual identity of the projects and their marketing strategy.” The official explains that “colors sometimes express a sporting affiliation. Imposing a specific color could drive away some customers.”

To read: Casablanca imposes a new aesthetic on cafés and restaurants

The association president is asking the city authorities to suspend implementation of this measure and to consult with café and restaurant owners to find a solution that suits all parties. “The real problem does not lie in the colors, but rather in removing dilapidated awnings that spoil the beauty of the scenery, as well as businesses that illegally occupy public property,” he points out.

To read: Casablanca: café and restaurant owners outraged

Mohamed Abdelfadel, secretary-general of the Moroccan Federation of Cafés and Fast Food, for his part believes that “standardizing colors is an act that runs counter to the principle of freedom and restricts merchants’ ability to exercise their freedom of choice.” It should be noted that Zerktouni Boulevard has been selected as the “pilot site” for this operation. The terraces along this thoroughfare will be painted midnight blue.