Mamoun’s Falafel Concocts Huge Expansion Plan - Eater NY
"Yet another NYC-based falafel chain is targeting a major expansion — this time, iconic restaurant Mamoun’s Falafel. The cheap eats favorite dating back to 1971 plans to open in six new cities this year, including planned outposts in nearby Fort Lee, NJ, Philly, and Long Island. Already, word’s out that Chicago might get a whopping five new outposts, and now, the company says that plans include a new restaurant on Staten Island as well. Pushing the expansion is Fransmart, a company that helps restaurants with franchising and is behind growth of chains like Five Guys and Qdoba. Fransmart is also helping fellow NYC-based icon Halal Guys with plans to take its chicken-and-rice global. Though NYC is rife with falafel, Mamoun’s serves one of New York’s most legendary versions of a falafel sandwich — still a bargain at $4 a pop and still available late at night with a 5 a.m. closing time at the original location in Greenwich Village. Since its founding nearly 50 years ago, it’s added a location on St. Mark’s Place and several in New Jersey. Besides falafel, Mamoun’s also serves a killer hot sauce and other Middle Eastern fare like lamb shawarma and baklava." - Serena Dai
