News

Zoes Kitchen unveils new design, beverage menu

January 16, 2018

Zoes Kitchen opens the doors today of its new restaurant prototype. Located at 6004 Falls of Neuse Rd., Suite 100, in Raleigh, North Carolina, the store includes a variety of features designed to enhance guests' dining experience, provide more convenience offerings and appeal more broadly to dinner guests, Kevin Miles, president and CEO, Zoes Kitchen, said in a company press release.

"We are devoted to innovating around what our guests want even before they know they want it as we continue to maintain our status as the leader in the Mediterranean fast-casual space," he said in the release. "As we stay ahead of consumer demand, we're proud to debut this next generation prototype restaurant that will further enhance our guest experience. This will be a great testing ground for us as we look at rolling out new stores and remodeling existing stores in the future, as well as for new menu and beverage items."

Miles said the space has more Mediterranean cues than its other restaurants.

"You'll see an open kitchen where guests can see their fresh Mediterranean dishes being prepared from scratch, and lighting and seating that we believe will evoke a warm, comfortable environment for lunch and dinner," he said. The patio is also a very important element because it's more integrated into the dining experience and really celebrated as a fun and exciting area to enjoy your meal. From an operational perspective, there's a new to-go area that will allow guests to more conveniently find and pick up their online or call-in orders and for us to stage large catering orders. We've also created efficiencies in the kitchen that we believe will improve speed of service."

Miles said the exterior includes:

• Mixed materials using steel, stone and tile elements.
• Lit ZK tower featuring the brand's iconic stripes.
• Covered patio that is integrated into the dining experience and is conditioned with heating and cooling systems.
• Tiled patio benches with integrated planter boxes.
• Painted patio flooring to represent the Mediterranean Sea.
• Mural wall highlighting the 21 countries of the Mediterranean.

Design elements of the interior include:

• A lighting feature that guides guests through the line with the brand's stripes running along the ceiling.
• A palette that highlights calming greens, beige and white with pops of bright color throughout, as well as different textures in flooring, fabrics and wall treatments.
• Spanish floor tile modeled after encaustic tiles that have graced the floors of European and Moroccan buildings for centuries.
• High-top community tables and a variety of seating options to accommodate different-sized groups.
• Custom artwork, including signature branding messaging such as "Live Mediterranean" that's executed in large red channel letters on the main wall.

The new store is also the first in the company's system to test a better-for-you beverage program. ZoesKitchen Chef Antonio Iocchi, head of culinary innovation, has handcrafted the program featuring all-natural drinks including Tangerine and Turmeric Fresca, Fig and Vanilla Cooler, Blackberry Mint Refresher and a new Hibiscus Karkade Tea. The prototype also has new wine on tap, as well as beer offerings. A new made-to-order Moroccan sangria is available as well, Miles said.

Additionally, Zoes will test cooler beverages including Kombucha and cold brew coffee.

Additionally, the prototype store will launch with the company's baked falafel, a dish it has been testing in select restaurants across the country and is planned for systemwide launch late next month. The new falafel will be available to add to salads, pitas and bowls.

A new uniform program, which features taglines such as, "Fresh Made Mediterranean," "Love Life Live Zoës" and "Eat What You Love, Love How You Feel" complete the prototype, Miles said.

Founded in 1995, ZoesKitchen has 245 locations in 20 states across the U.S.