Taim Mediterranean Kitchen
, a well-known falafel and Mediterranean food chain based in New York, is planning to expand into Maryland, according to a report by
BizJournals
. The chain initially entered the region with locations in Washington, D.C., and Virginia over the past few years. However, all but one of those locations have since closed. The sole remaining store in the area is located at 1514 Connecticut Ave NW in Washington, D.C.
Founded in 2005 by Israeli chef Einat Admony and her husband, Stefan Nafziger, Taim began as a small falafel shop in New York City’s West Village. Their core philosophy has always been about bringing the flavors of Tel Aviv street food to the U.S., emphasizing made-from-scratch dishes. Their falafel is available in traditional green (herby) or harissa (spicy) varieties and is often cited as some of the best in NYC.
BizJournals
reports that Taim Mediterranean Kitchen has recently launched its franchise program, with Maryland identified as a key market for expansion. The franchise fee for a single Taim restaurant is $35,000, with total estimated investments ranging from $600,000 to $1.2 million, depending on the restaurant’s size and location. Franchisees are also required to pay a 6% royalty fee and a 4% marketing fee. Typically, Taim restaurants range in size from 700 to 2,500 SF.
The restaurant offers chicken, beef/lamb (halal), and cauliflower shawarma, all marinated with house-blended spices and served in pitas or on plates. A traditional Israeli pita sandwich featuring golden fried eggplant, hard-boiled egg, hummus, Israeli salad, pickled cabbage, and tahini. Customizable Bowls and Pitas are also a significant part of their appeal with customers building their own meals– choosing a base (rice, greens, couscous), a main protein/vegetable, and a wide array of fresh toppings, salads, and house-made spreads (like various hummus, babaganoush, tzatziki).
