Shopping Centers Today is the news magazine of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC)
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RET AILING TODA Y Fresh and fast ZOËS KITCHEN PROVES FAST-CASUAL DINING CAN BE HEALTHY By Misty Milioto E time diners and with families looking for healthy alternatives when they can- not eat at home. The chain offers ca- tering services, including box lunches, party trays and delivered meals, all of which appeal to the workaday and of- fice crowd. The bright, colorfully deco- rated spaces offer hummus and pita bread for about $5, a chicken salad sandwich (about $7), chicken roll-ups APRIL 2012 / SCT 21 in 1995 in Homewood, Ala., the com- pany has experienced steady double-digit growth and today operates 59 restau- rants across 12 states, all but nine of the units company-owned. "We envision a more than 40 percent compounded growth rate for the foreseeable future," said Allyn Taylor, the chain's vice presi- dent of development. ATING AT HOME MAY IN many cases be the best option, but Zoës Kitchen is among those restaurants that want to be the next best, with its offerings of sandwiches, entrées and salads in a fast-casual format. The chain, though based in Birmingham, Ala., differentiates itself with Mediterranean-inspired recipes straight from the kitchen of founder Zoë Cassimus, who is of Greek heritage. "We focus on simple, tasty and fresh, and we provide a menu that is whole- some and features great-tasting entrées that feel good when you eat them," said Kevin Miles, Zoës Kitchen's president and COO. "We believe Zoës offers choices that you'll be proud to serve to your family, and [we] accommodate vir- tually any lifestyle demands while never compromising on taste and freshness." Zoës Kitchen is popular with lunch- ($8) and kabobs ($8 to $10). For those given to shameless indulgence, there is homemade chocolate cake. Since the first Zoës Kitchen opened Zoës Kitchen does not disclose sales data, but Chicago-based consulting firm Technomic estimates the restau- rant's total U.S. sales for last year at $49 million. The company likes high-traffic end-cap sites measuring about 2,500 square feet and with seating for up to 120 and plenty of patio space. "Our exterior facade will represent an incred- ibly important marketing spend," Tay- lor said. "We need to produce a warm, exciting and inviting space to the pro- spective Zoës customer, especially to the customer that has never heard of us. The patio is a signature element of our space and is an important element