Taziki's Mediterranean Café
| File:Taziki's Mediterranean Café logo.png | |
| Company type | Franchise |
|---|---|
| Industry | Fast casual restaurant chain |
| Founded | 1998 in Birmingham, Alabama |
| Founders | Keith and Amy Richards |
| Headquarters | Birmingham, Alabama , United States |
Number of locations | 40 in nine U.S. states (April 2014) |
| Products | Greek cuisine and Mediterranean cuisine |
| Revenue | $28,800,000[1] (2014) |
| Owners | Keith and Amy Richards |
| Website | tazikiscafe |
Taziki's Mediterranean Café is a fast casual chain of franchised restaurants based in Birmingham, Alabama that specializes in Greek and Mediterranean cuisine.[3][4][5] Total franchise sales in 2014 was $28,800,000, with average sales of $1,100,000 per store.[1] As of April 2014, the chain has locations in nine U.S. states.[6]
History
The restaurant's concept was devised after Keith and Amy Richards' 1997 Greek vacation.[7][8] Their goal was to create savory foods from simple ingredients.[8] The first restaurant was a cafe that opened in 1998 at the Cahaba Mall Shopping Center (also known as the Colonnade) in Birmingham, Alabama.[3][4][7][8] In January 2015, the company had 40 stores in 11 states.[3] The company is owned by Keith and Amy Richards.[7] Jim Keet is the company's president and CEO.[9] The company's slogan is "Fresh, Casual and Delicious".[2]
Fare
Taziki's Mediterranean Cafés offer an array of foods such as grilled meats, vegetarian dishes and salads.[3][7][1] Some locations have gluten-free options,[10] and none have deep-fried foods.[3] Fare includes gyros, sandwiches, soups and salads,[1] and the restaurant chain also focuses upon unique renditions based on common Greek dishes.[8]
REAL certification
The franchise is the first in the United States to earn REAL certification from the United States Healthful Food Council.[3][11] The certification is given to restaurants that serve vegetables, fruits and whole grains and which are prepared from scratch.[3][11] The award recognises that they use minimal processed foods and give priority to local and organic ingredients.[3]
Philanthropy
The company actively supports various local charities and non-profit organizations, including the provision of money and food donations,[12][11][13][14][15][16] and encourages like-minded organizations to contact them for philanthropic inquiries.[12] Every restaurant location supports at least one charity.[13]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d "The Future 50". Restaurant Business. 2014. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ a b "Franchising". Taziki's Mediterranean Café. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Carlton, Bob (January 23, 2015). "Birmingham's Taziki's restaurant chain is first franchise in the U.S. to earn REAL seal of approval". Huntsville Times. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
- ^ a b Huggins, Paul (December 22, 2014). "Taziki's Greek restaurant in Madison on target for January opening; council OKs beer and wine license". Huntsville Times. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
- ^ "Taziki's Plans for 50 New Locations by End of 2014". QSR magazine. May 29, 2014. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
- ^ Koon, David (April 24, 2014). "Taziki's Mediterranean coming to McCain Mall". Arkansas Times. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ a b c d Velasco, Eric (April 10, 2013). "Revisiting Taziki's at Birmingham's Colonnade (dining review)". Birmingham News. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
- ^ a b c d "History". Taziki's Mediterranean Café. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
- ^ Bradbury, Shelly (August 1, 2013). "Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe's branches out; new restaurants planned in Chattanooga". Chattanooga Times Free Press. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
- ^ "Shamrock Sweetie Adoption Specials". Nashville Community Newspapers. August 20, 2014. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
- ^ a b c Huggins, Paul (January 27, 2015). "Taziki's opens in Madison, bringing Mediterranean fare with national nutritional award". Huntsville Times. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
- ^ a b "Giving Back". Taziki's Mediterranean Café. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
- ^ a b "Taziki's Mediterranean Café Makes Texas Debut in Southlake July 1". MySouthlakeNews.com. June 26, 2014. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
- ^ Roberts, Michael (April 22, 2015). "Arkansas Food Bank to host fundraiser". Arkansas Times. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
- ^ Burkhart, April (February 16, 2015). "Empty Bowls luncheon to benefit Food Bank of Northeast Georgia". Athens Banner-Herald. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
- ^ "McCain Mall Location of Taziki's Mediterranean Café to Celebrate Grand Opening" (Press release). North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce. September 22, 2014. Retrieved 22 April 2015.