Aladdin's Eatery
 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | 1994 in Lakewood, Ohio, US |
| Headquarters | Lakewood, Ohio |
Number of locations | 30 (2019) |
Area served | Ohio, Indiana, Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania |
| Products | Lebanese cuisine |
| Owner | Fady and Sally Chamoun |
| Website | aladdins |
Aladdin's Eatery is a chain of franchised restaurants in the American Midwest and Southeast, specializing in Lebanese cuisine. Adapted to American tastes, the sites are fast casual restaurants that also offer take out.[1]
The firm, Aladdin's Eatery Systems, Inc, is headquartered in Lakewood, a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio.[1][2] Besides Ohio,[3] the company also has locations in Indiana,[4] Virginia,[5] North Carolina, and Pennsylvania.
History
Aladdin's Eatery was founded by Fady and Sally Chamoun in 1994. Since then it has become an extremely lucrative chain of restaurants.[6] Fady Chamoun had arrived in the US from Lebanon in 1972 and worked at Little Caesars full-time while studying at the University of Michigan.[1] Over the next twenty years he rose within Little Caesars, eventually running 40 franchises, which he sold, leaving him with $10,000 after repaying his debts, which he used to help fund a site in Lakewood, OH.[1]
By 2004 the chain had 17 outlets and Chamoun won the Northeast Ohio Ernst & Young Retail Entrepreneur Of The Year award.[7] Chamoun had established Jasmine's Bakery in Cleveland in 1997 to supply all his restaurants and by 2004 it was employing 40 people and making sales of $2 million.[1]
In 2013 the chain was reported to have 30 sites in 5 US states.[8]
Reception
With a concept of "providing good food with a slightly exotic flavour and cheap prices"[3] the chain is noted by reviewers for its assortment of soups, smoothies and juices, and options for vegetarians and meat lovers.[5][9] Desserts such as traditional Lebanese baklava or pistachio cookies compete with more American gourmet cheesecakes and layer cakes, are all supplied from the Jasmine Bakery.[10] They are described either as numerous and irresistible[10] or calorie-laden and dry.[11]
References
- ^ a b c d e Palmer, Kim; Garofalo, Deborah (2004-06-01). "Living the American Dream". Smart Business. Archived from the original on 2013-02-01. Retrieved 2009-05-18.
- ^ Selekman, Aviva (2001-05-01). "Pittsburgh Neighborhood's Vacant Storefronts Fail to Faze Business Owners". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2009-05-18.
- ^ a b "MAGIC FOOD -- BUT NO LAMP". Akron Beacon Journal. 1998-12-03. Retrieved 2009-05-18.
- ^ Stowe, Gene (13 December 2011). "Aladdin's Eatery offers healthy food options". South Bend Tribune. Archived from the original on 6 January 2014. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
- ^ a b Marchetti, Domenica (2001-12-20). "Aladdin's Eatery Offers a Healthy Dose of Middle Eastern Cuisine". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2009-05-18.
- ^ "Aladdin's Eatery: About Us". Archived from the original on 2009-04-16. Retrieved 2009-05-18.
- ^ "TrekDS - E&Y Entrepreneur of the Year Awards". 2004. Retrieved 2009-05-18.
- ^ Hayes, Liz (September 11, 2003). "Enjoy tastes from the East at restaurant in the Alle-Kiski Valley". tribLIVE.com. Trib Total Media, Inc. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
- ^ "Aladdin's Eatery Village". Time Out Chicago. Retrieved 2009-05-18.
- ^ a b Olsen, Eric (2006-07-26). "Middle East feast". Toledo City Paper. Archived from the original on 2007-10-15. Retrieved 2009-05-18.
- ^ Merriman, Woodene (2002-01-18). "Granting Wishes". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on 2013-01-24. Retrieved 2009-05-18.