News

Amsterdam Falafal launches franchise initiative

September 20, 2010

The Amsterdam Falafelshop, located in the Washington, D.C., area of Adams Morgan, has officially launched its franchise effort.

The restaurant serves falafel sandwiches with the customers' choice of 21 different sauces and toppings, Dutch-style fries referred to as "frieten" and brownies. The shop was inspired by the falafel "street food" that is popular throughout Amsterdam and other European cities.

By issuing the federally required disclosure document September 14, the Amsterdam Falafelshop became only the eighth franchise system to be headquartered in Washington, D.C., according to FRANdata, an Arlington, Va.-based franchise research company that tracks and analyzes franchises and their performance.

The restaurant was first opened six years ago by husband and wife team Scott and Arianne Bennett, and has seen steady growth.

"People are still eating out in this economy; they're just being more selective and cost conscious of where they go, and that works in our favor," said Arianne Bennett.

Chairman of the board, Scott Bennett, said in addition to consumers' continued desire for Middle Eastern cuisine, another factor for the franchise effort has been increased sales in his store from war veterans returning home.

"We see them come into the restaurant all the time in their uniforms and we always ask where they've been and they tell us everywhere from Bagdad to Kabul, and Islamabad to Stuttgart, where falafel has become an institution," Bennett said. "Apparently they tasted the falafel while over there, really liked it, and want to eat it back here at home. It wasn't something that we had anticipated but it makes sense when you think about it."

The newly-minted franchise plans to expand by concentrating on nearby states along the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions.