Taziki's Mediterranean Café

Taziki's Mediterranean Café
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.com

Taziki's Mediterranean Café is a fast casual chain of franchised restaurants based in Birmingham, Alabama that specializes in Greek and Mediterranean cuisine.[2][3][4] 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.[5]

History

The restaurant's concept was devised after Keith and Amy Richards' 1997 Greek vacation.[6][7] Their goal was to create savory foods from simple ingredients.[7] The first restaurant was a cafe that opened in 1998 at the Cahaba Mall Shopping Center (also known as the Colonnade) in Birmingham, Alabama.[2][3][6][7] In January 2015, the company had 40 stores in 11 states.[2] The company is owned by Keith and Amy Richards.[6] Jim Keet is the company's president and CEO.[8] The company's slogan is "Fresh, Casual and Delicious".[9]

Fare

Taziki's Mediterranean Cafés offer an array of foods such as grilled meats, vegetarian dishes and salads.[2][6][1] Some locations have gluten-free options,[10] and none have deep-fried foods.[2] Fare includes gyros, sandwiches, soups and salads,[1] and the restaurant chain also focuses upon unique renditions based on common Greek dishes.[7]

REAL certification

The franchise is the first in the United States to earn REAL certification from the United States Healthful Food Council.[2][11] The certification is given to restaurants that serve vegetables, fruits and whole grains and which are prepared from scratch.[2][11] The award recognises that they use minimal processed foods and give priority to local and organic ingredients.[2]

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

  1. 1 2 3 4 "The Future 50". Restaurant Business. 2014. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 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.
  3. 1 2 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.
  4. ↑ "Taziki's Plans for 50 New Locations by End of 2014". QSR magazine. May 29, 2014. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  5. ↑ Koon, David (April 24, 2014). "Taziki's Mediterranean coming to McCain Mall". Arkansas Times. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Velasco, Eric (April 10, 2013). "Revisiting Taziki's at Birmingham's Colonnade (dining review)". Birmingham News. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "History". Taziki's Mediterranean Café. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  8. ↑ 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.
  9. ↑ "Franchising". Taziki's Mediterranean Café. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
  10. ↑ "Shamrock Sweetie Adoption Specials". Nashville Community Newspapers. August 20, 2014. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  11. 1 2 3 Huggins, Paul (January 27, 2015). "Taziki's opens in Madison, bringing Mediterranean fare with national nutritional award". Huntsville Times. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  12. 1 2 "Giving Back". Taziki's Mediterranean Café. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
  13. 1 2 "Taziki's Mediterranean Café Makes Texas Debut in Southlake July 1". MySouthlakeNews.com. June 26, 2014. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  14. ↑ Roberts, Michael (April 22, 2015). "Arkansas Food Bank to host fundraiser". Arkansas Times. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  15. ↑ Burkhart, April (February 16, 2015). "Empty Bowls luncheon to benefit Food Bank of Northeast Georgia". Athens Banner-Herald. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  16. ↑ "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.
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