Established
2009
Franchise Units
40
Minimum Investment
$450,000
Franchise Fee
$35,000
Total Investment Range
$850,000
Home Based
No
Description
The Naf Naf Middle Eastern Grill franchise represents a modern, scalable fast-casual dining concept rooted in authentic Middle Eastern flavors and built for today’s health-conscious, convenience-driven consumer. Known for its made-from-scratch pita, slow-roasted shawarma, fresh falafel, and customizable bowls, Naf Naf has carved out a strong position in the competitive Mediterranean and Middle Eastern restaurant segment across the United States.
What sets Naf Naf apart is its balance of authenticity and accessibility. The brand delivers bold, globally inspired flavors while maintaining operational simplicity and consistency across locations. Its menu appeals to a wide demographic—urban professionals, families, students, and health-focused diners—making it a versatile concept suitable for suburban strip centers, urban storefronts, food courts, and high-traffic mixed-use developments.
As consumer demand continues to rise for fresh, customizable, and globally influenced food, Naf Naf Middle Eastern Grill stands out as a proven brand with a clear identity, efficient operations, and strong unit-level economics. For franchise investors seeking entry into the fast-growing Mediterranean fast-casual category, Naf Naf offers a compelling blend of brand strength, operational support, and long-term growth potential in the U.S. market.
Why Invest in This Franchise?
Investing in Naf Naf Middle Eastern Grill offers a strategic opportunity to align with a brand that sits at the intersection of taste, health, and operational efficiency.
First, the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food segment continues to outperform traditional fast food, driven by consumer preferences for fresh ingredients, customizable meals, and plant-forward options. Naf Naf’s menu naturally supports vegetarian, vegan, and protein-rich diets, expanding its customer base without complicating operations.
Second, the brand operates within the fast-casual model, which typically delivers higher average ticket sizes than quick service restaurants while requiring lower staffing levels than full-service dining. This structure supports attractive margins and scalability for multi-unit operators.
Third, Naf Naf benefits from strong brand recognition in its core markets and a clearly defined growth strategy across the United States. Its systems are designed to support both first-time franchisees and experienced restaurant operators, with standardized recipes, streamlined supply chains, and centralized marketing support.
Finally, the franchise model emphasizes repeat business, digital ordering, catering, and off-premise sales—key revenue drivers in today’s restaurant landscape. These channels provide franchisees with diversified income streams and resilience across economic cycles.
Background
Naf Naf Middle Eastern Grill was founded in 2009 in Chicago, Illinois, with a mission to introduce authentic Middle Eastern street food to the American fast-casual dining scene. The brand’s name is inspired by a Middle Eastern phrase associated with freshness and warmth, reflecting its commitment to high-quality ingredients and welcoming hospitality.
Founders: The concept was created by entrepreneurs with a passion for Middle Eastern cuisine and a vision to modernize traditional recipes for a broader audience. From its first location, Naf Naf focused on scratch cooking, bold spices, and customizable meals—an approach that quickly resonated with customers.
Brand Journey & Growth:
After early success in Chicago, Naf Naf expanded through a combination of company-owned and franchised locations. The brand refined its operational model, invested in supply-chain efficiencies, and developed a strong franchise support system. Over time, Naf Naf grew into a recognized fast-casual Mediterranean brand with a loyal customer base and expanding national footprint.
Franchise Active Units:
Naf Naf Middle Eastern Grill currently operates approximately 40+ locations across multiple U.S. states, with ongoing development focused on key metropolitan and suburban markets.
Ownership & Market Presence:
The brand operates within the fast-casual restaurant industry, specifically the Mediterranean / Middle Eastern category. Its presence is strongest in the Midwest, with strategic expansion underway in high-growth regions across the United States.
Support Training
Naf Naf Middle Eastern Grill offers a comprehensive support and training ecosystem designed to guide franchisees from initial onboarding through long-term operations.
Pre-Launch Support:
Franchisees receive assistance with site selection, lease evaluation, restaurant layout, and build-out coordination. The corporate team provides guidance on equipment specifications, kitchen design, and vendor sourcing to ensure consistency and cost control.
Initial Training:
Training programs cover culinary execution, food safety, inventory management, labor scheduling, POS systems, and customer experience standards. Both classroom and in-restaurant training formats are used to prepare franchise owners and management teams for day-one operations.
Operational Support:
Ongoing field support includes performance reviews, operational audits, and best-practice sharing. Franchisees benefit from standardized recipes, portion controls, and supply-chain partnerships that simplify daily operations and protect margins.
Marketing & Brand Support:
Naf Naf supports franchisees with national and local marketing initiatives, digital campaigns, loyalty programs, and social media strategies. Tools and templates are provided for grand openings, community outreach, and ongoing promotions.
Ongoing Education:
Continuous training, leadership development, and system updates help franchisees adapt to changing consumer trends and operational improvements over time.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal Naf Naf Middle Eastern Grill franchisee is a motivated entrepreneur or investor with a passion for food, hospitality, and operational excellence.
Background & Experience:
While prior restaurant or multi-unit management experience is beneficial, it is not mandatory. The brand is well-suited for owner-operators as well as investment-focused partners who plan to hire experienced management teams.
Personal Traits:
Successful franchisees are hands-on, detail-oriented, and committed to delivering a consistent guest experience. A strong appreciation for fresh, high-quality food and community engagement aligns well with the Naf Naf brand culture.
Financial Capability:
Candidates should have sufficient liquidity to cover the initial investment, working capital, and potential multi-unit growth. Strong financial discipline and long-term vision are key.
Location Preference:
Ideal territories include urban centers, suburban trade areas, lifestyle centers, and high-traffic retail corridors throughout the United States, particularly markets with diverse demographics and strong demand for fast-casual dining.
Financial Detail
| Cost / Fee Category | Estimated Amount (USD) |
|---|---|
| Total Investment Range | $450,000 – $850,000 |
| Minimum Liquid Capital | $200,000 – $300,000 |
| Net Worth Requirement | $400,000 – $700,000 |
| Initial Franchise Fee | $35,000 – $45,000 |
| Leasehold Improvements & Build-Out | $250,000 – $500,000 |
| Equipment & Fixtures | $90,000 – $150,000 |
| Initial Inventory & Supplies | $15,000 – $25,000 |
| Marketing & Grand Opening Spend | $15,000 – $25,000 |
| Working Capital (3–6 months) | $50,000 – $100,000 |
| Royalty Fee | 5% – 6% of Gross Sales |
| National Marketing Fund | 2% – 3% of Gross Sales |
| Estimated Break-Even Period | 24 – 36 months |
| Franchise Format | Single & Multi-Unit |