If you’ve been wondering why your favorite dessert spot suddenly vanished overnight, you’re not alone. Belban — the wildly popular Egyptian dessert chain known for its viral menu names and fast regional expansion — just announced a full shutdown of its operations in Egypt.

Yes, all 110 branches. All factories. All operations. 25,000 employees. Done.

The company has announced a full halt to all activity inside Egypt, claiming it’s facing an unprecedented crisis with no clear explanation. And the fallout isn’t just local — Belban’s operations across nine Arab countries are now at risk.

So what went wrong? And why is no one offering answers? Here’s everything we know.

Belban Has Shut Down Completely in Egypt

In an official statement, Belban announced the total closure of its branches, factories, and central operations. The company says it no longer has the ability to function, and that all logistics and day-to-day operations have come to a full stop.

This isn’t just a blow to dessert lovers — it’s a blow to the brand’s entire regional network. Belban operated across nine Arab countries, all managed and supplied from Egypt. Without the Egyptian hub, the entire model is collapsing.

Belban Says It’s in Crisis — But Doesn’t Know Why

In the same statement, Belban said that despite reaching out to government bodies and regulators, they haven’t been told the reasons behind the shutdown. No specific violations were outlined, no solutions were proposed, and no way forward has been communicated.

The company described the situation as complete paralysis, and called on President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and the Egyptian state to step in before the business — and the livelihoods it supports — are lost for good.

So Why Was Belban Shut Down?

While no official explanation has been publicly confirmed, multiple reports from government sources and local authorities suggest the following:

Licensing and Operational Violations

Authorities say several of Belban’s branches — along with other chains owned by the same founder — were operating without the required licenses, violating commercial and food safety laws. That alone is enough to trigger closure orders.

Reports of Food Safety Issues

Some outlets were allegedly linked to cases of food poisoning, although Belban denies any confirmed reports and says there is no official medical evidence backing the claims.

Part of a Nationwide Crackdown

Belban isn’t the only brand hit. In recent weeks, the government has moved to shut down dozens of unlicensed F&B outlets as part of a wider campaign targeting regulatory violations in the sector. Several well-known brands were affected — including others under the same owner.

Who Owns Belban?

Belban was founded by Dr. Moamen Adel, a former veterinarian who shifted into the F&B space and built a mini-empire that includes Karam ElSham, Kunafa w Basbousa, and BahiG. These brands became major players in Egypt and beyond, growing quickly with aggressive marketing and franchise expansion.

There were also rumors circulating online linking Chef El Sherbiny to the company, but those are false. He has no business affiliation with Belban.

Belban’s Response

The company has stated that it’s not asking to be above the law. On the contrary, they’ve welcomed full legal inspections and say they’re ready to comply with any audit or investigation. Their only request is a clear explanation of what went wrong and a fair opportunity to fix it.

What they’re pushing back against is the sudden escalation, the unclear communication, and what they describe as a media storm built on rumors rather than verified facts.

Belban positioned itself as an Egyptian brand success story — built from scratch, made by young founders, and scaled across the region. Now, it says that story is being erased without proper due process.

And Now?

With operations frozen and no clarity from officials, Belban’s future remains uncertain. Whether this is a regulatory breakdown, media-fueled damage, or a genuine public safety issue, one fact is undeniable:

25,000 Egyptians are now out of work — without warning, without explanation, and without a clear way forward.

And until there’s transparency and accountability on all sides, the shutdown of Belban won’t just be the closure of a dessert chain — it’ll be a case study in how easily success can unravel in the dark.