2009
5
$337,000
$25,000
$470,302
No
Step into the vibrant world of Mediterranean cuisine with the franchise opportunity presented by I Dream of Falafel (IDOF). This fast-casual concept delivers handcrafted, health-forward fare — think fresh falafel, laffas, hearty salads, and flavorful shawarma — in an approachable, craveable format. Positioned at the intersection of the growing demand for wholesome dining and the convenience of quick service, I Dream of Falafel stands out with its strong brand personality, customizable menu, and modern atmosphere. For investors seeking a differentiated franchise in the U.S. food-service sector, this brand offers a compelling platform: a proven concept, operational simplicity, broad appeal among health-conscious, vegetarian, and vegan consumers, and significant expansion potential across key U.S. markets.
Why Invest in this Franchise?
Growing Market Trend: Consumers increasingly seek healthier, flavor-rich alternatives to traditional fast food. Mediterranean cuisine — with its fresh ingredients and nutritious appeal — perfectly aligns with this trend.
Unique Niche with Broad Appeal: While many fast-casual chains compete in burgers or burritos, I Dream of Falafel offers a Mediterranean menu that appeals to a wide demographic, including omnivores, vegetarians, and vegans.
Scalable, Streamlined Concept: With a focused menu, efficient operations, and flexible restaurant layouts, this model is built for replication in urban, suburban, and high-traffic locations.
Strong Brand Heritage: Founded in Chicago, the brand quickly earned recognition as an early pioneer in Mediterranean fast-casual dining, offering franchisees a model with real-world proof of success.
Comprehensive Support System: From pre-launch to ongoing operations, franchisees receive extensive training, operations manuals, and marketing assistance, ensuring a smooth business journey.
Multiple Revenue Channels: The concept allows for dine-in, takeaway, catering, and delivery — providing diversified income streams and greater profitability potential.
Attractive Investment Range: With total investment requirements at a moderate level compared to other QSR franchises, I Dream of Falafel offers an accessible entry point into a fast-growing market.
Established Year: 2009
Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, USA
Founders: Imran Kasbati, Munaf Kasbati, Shoaib Aziz, and Henry Nuguid
Franchise Launch: The I Dream of Falafel franchise program officially launched in 2011, following the success of its first Chicago locations and growing customer demand for its healthy Mediterranean fare.
Franchise Units: Currently, the brand operates between 3 to 5 units, including both company-owned and franchise-operated stores primarily located in the Chicago metropolitan area. The brand is now seeking qualified franchisees to expand into new U.S. markets such as Texas, Florida, Arizona, and Georgia, where Mediterranean and health-focused dining are in high demand.
Brand Journey: I Dream of Falafel began as a vision to bring authentic Mediterranean cuisine into the fast-casual dining scene — combining ancient flavors with modern convenience. What started as a single restaurant in downtown Chicago evolved into a recognized regional brand known for its made-to-order falafel, shawarma, and laffa wraps. The brand quickly built a loyal following among health-conscious diners, office workers, and young professionals seeking fresh, high-quality meals at accessible prices.
Market Presence in the USA: The brand’s early success in Illinois set the foundation for future expansion. With a solid operational model and growing awareness of Mediterranean food among American consumers, I Dream of Falafel is strategically positioning itself for nationwide growth through a franchise development program focused on multi-unit operators and investors passionate about the healthy fast-casual segment.
Industry Category: Fast-Casual / Quick-Service Restaurant (Mediterranean, Healthy Dining).
Brand Positioning: I Dream of Falafel stands out as a modern Mediterranean fast-casual brand offering fresh, customizable, and health-oriented meals. Its flexible menu caters to diverse dietary preferences — including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and high-protein diets — making it one of the few concepts that balance authenticity with broad market appeal.
Pre-Launch Support: Franchisees receive a comprehensive 28-day training program at the brand’s support center, covering all aspects of operations, kitchen management, customer service, and brand standards. An additional 10-day on-site training is provided around the grand opening.
Operational Support: Franchise owners are given detailed operations manuals, standardized recipes, and vendor relationships, along with guidance for store setup and kitchen layout planning.
Marketing Assistance: Full support with grand opening campaigns, local store marketing, social media strategy, and ongoing promotional materials to drive awareness and sales.
Ongoing Support: Continuous operational training, performance evaluations, menu updates, and access to the brand’s network of franchisees and best practices.
Supply Chain Management: Centralized purchasing support ensures consistent quality ingredients, negotiated pricing, and streamlined inventory management.
Site Selection & Build-Out: The franchisor assists with market analysis, demographic studies, location scouting, architectural templates, and project management during build-out.
Technology Systems: Franchisees benefit from modern POS systems, online ordering, loyalty integration, and reporting dashboards for real-time performance tracking.
Quality Control: Regular inspections and brand audits maintain high standards, ensuring consistent guest experiences across all locations.
The ideal I Dream of Falafel franchise owner is someone passionate about great food, customer satisfaction, and community engagement. The brand seeks individuals with the following traits:
Entrepreneurial Mindset: A motivated, hands-on business owner or multi-unit investor ready to operate in a dynamic quick-service environment.
Passion for Food & Hospitality: Appreciation for healthy Mediterranean cuisine and dedication to delivering an exceptional dining experience.
Operational or Management Background: Prior restaurant or retail experience is beneficial but not mandatory. The brand also welcomes investors partnering with experienced operators.
Financial Strength: The ability to meet investment requirements and sustain working capital during the start-up phase.
Leadership & Team Management Skills: Strong communication and people skills to recruit, train, and manage a high-performing team.
Community Engagement: Interest in local marketing, catering outreach, and establishing strong neighborhood connections.
Growth Vision: Commitment to building a long-term business with potential for multi-unit development.
Total Investment Required: $337,811 – $470,302
Minimum Investment: Approximately $337,000
Initial Franchise Fee: $25,000
Royalty Fee: 5% of gross sales
Marketing/Advertising Fee: 3% of gross sales
Franchise Term: 10 years (renewable)
Infrastructure Costs: Includes restaurant build-out, kitchen equipment, signage, and seating
Marketing Budget: Initial local marketing and grand opening campaigns included in setup cost
Working Capital: Recommended additional reserve for staff training, early operations, and initial marketing push
Expected ROI: Varies by location and management efficiency; typically achieved within 18–36 months
Break-Even Timeline: Estimated 1.5 to 3 years depending on market and performance
Revenue Streams: Dine-in, takeaway, catering, delivery, and corporate foodservice opportunities
