Zoës Kitchen

Zoës Kitchen was a Mediterranean Style restaurant chain, and a subsidiary of the Cava Group.[1] Their headquarters were located in Plano, Texas. In 2013, the chain had grown to host over 200 locations across 17 states, however, acquisition by Cava Group resulted in a reduction of Zoe's locations (some replaced by Cava restaurants). As of late December 2022, only 35 locations in 13 states remained.[2] At the rate of closure in 2022, it was expected that the chain would cease operations by 2023.

Zoës Kitchen
TypeSubsidiary
IndustryRestaurants
GenreFast Casual
FoundedJune 1995 (1995-06) (as Zoe's Kitchen, Inc.)
Homewood, Alabama, U.S.
FounderMarcus Cassimus
Zoë Cassimus
DefunctMay 27, 2023 (2023-05-27)
FateAcquired by Cava Group
Area served
United States
ProductsSandwiches
Pitas
Salads
Soups
Kabobs
Other food products
ParentCava Group
Websitewww.zoeskitchen.com

In March 23, 2023 there was exactly one location remaining.[3] As of May 2023, the URL zoeskitchen.com redirects to cava.com, indicating the closure of all former locations.

History

Zoës Kitchen was originally based in Homewood, Alabama as "Zoe's Kitchen Inc".[4] It was founded in June 1995 by Zoë and Marcus Cassimus.[5] Initially, the restaurants were not franchised, and Cassimus retained a 51% ownership stake in all subsequently opened locations.[6]

The first location opened in October 1995 in downtown Homewood.[7] A second location opened in the Riverchase section of Hoover in 1999, and a third in downtown Birmingham in March 2001.[5] The restaurant continued expansion with the opening of its first store outside the Birmingham area, with a Tuscaloosa store opening in May 2001 and the first out of state location, Nashville, Tennessee opening in the fall of 2001.[8] By 2006, Zoës operated sixteen restaurants, eight located in Alabama and others located in Phoenix, Nashville, Memphis, Baton Rouge and Destin.[9]

With 20 stores in operation by 2007, Cassimus sold a majority ownership stake to Brentwood Associates of Los Angeles.[10] Following the purchase, Cassimus announced that he would remain as Chief Executive Officer. The company was still headquartered in Birmingham, and the menu was not affected. Additionally, it was revealed that the sale would potentially result in the opening of 200 new franchises over the next five years.[10]

In Spring 2008, GE Capital Solutions loaned the company ten million dollars which allowed for the development of 50 new stores across the southeast and southwest.[11]

In November 2008, Cassimus resigned, and Greg Dollarhyde, the former CEO of Baja Fresh, replaced him.[12] Dollarhyde announced that he would be looking to expand the restaurant to new locations, with two-thirds remaining company owned and the remainder being franchised.[12]

In August 2011, Zoës had 11 franchised stores, and the rest were company-owned. President Kevin Miles announced that Zoës would consider multi-unit franchisees in the future.

Zoës launched an online ordering service in 2011, and a mobile app in 2013.

Miles promised that the company would remain headquartered in Birmingham in 2011.[13] However, when the company announced that it would be publicly traded in 2014,[14] SEC filings showed the headquarters as Plano, Texas.[15] Reasons given for the shift included simplifying travel, a lack of talent available in Birmingham, and the need to consolidate offices to prepare for an IPO. Local media, business, and civic leaders said they were unaware of the move.

In August 2018, Zoës was acquired by Cava Group, Inc. for $300 Million in cash for each Zoës common share. Cava Group is a publicly traded company under the ticker CAVA.

On September 24, 2018, American Airlines announced that Zoe's Kitchen will be the primary food partner to serve the light snack and food items in their aircraft's main cabin seats.[16]

In January 2023, Zoës closed their Crestline Village location in Mountain Brook, which made the downtown Birmingham location the last remaining Zoës in the Birmingham metro area.[17] Two Birmingham locations were converted into CAVA franchises, including the original Homewood location. Shortly after the closure of the Crestline location, Cassimus announced that his family, in partnership with the Cava Group, would be taking over the Crestline location to bring back the original Zoës menu from 1995.[18]

References
  1. Klein, Danny (August 2018). "Cava Buys Zoes Kitchen in $300 Million Deal". QSR magazine. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  2. "Locations Sitemap". Retrieved 2022-12-24.
  3. "Zoe's Kitchen Locations". Zoe's Kitchen. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  4. "June incorporations in Jefferson County". The Birmingham News. July 18, 1995.
  5. Williams, Roy L. (November 14, 2000). "Zoe's to expand downtown". The Birmingham News.
  6. Williams, Roy L. (November 10, 2002). "Former running back to kitchen coach". The Birmingham News.
  7. Harvey, Fletcher (September 21, 1995). "New Zoe's features healthy menu". The Birmingham News.
  8. Williams, Roy L.; O'Hara, Jo Ellen (November 7, 2003). "Zoe's debuts its new look when Federal Place restaurant opens". The Birmingham News.
  9. Williams, Roy L. (May 31, 2006). "Zoe's set to spread wings with stores in more states". The Birmingham News.
  10. Goodman, Sherri C. (November 2, 2007). "Zoe's Kitchen selling big stake Cassimus sees deal as spice for expansion". The Birmingham News.
  11. Williams, Roy L. (April 16, 2008). "Finance plan will enable Zoe's to add 50 locations". The Birmingham News.
  12. Williams, Roy L. (December 10, 2008). "Zoe's new CEO wants to grow the eatery's brand". The Birmingham News.
  13. Thompson, Steven R. (September 9, 2011). "Zoës Kitchen set to add up to 5 spots". Birmingham Business Journal. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  14. West, Ty (March 11, 2014). "Zoës Kitchen files IPO, looks to raise $80.5M". Birmingham Business Journal. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  15. "Why Zoës Kitchen moved its HQ from Birmingham". Birmingham Business Journal. March 18, 2014. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  16. "Take a Bite: American Airlines and Zoës Kitchen Add New Flavors to the Main Cabin Menu". American Airlines (Press release). September 24, 2018.
  17. Thornton, William (2023-01-03). "Zoe's Kitchen in Mountain Brook closes: 1 left in Birmingham area". al. Retrieved 2023-02-14.
  18. Koplowitz, Howard (2023-01-12). "Zoe's Kitchen coming back to Crestline Village under original owners". al. Retrieved 2023-02-14.
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