It's Shawarma with Swagger, and it's coming to America.

From humble beginnings in London, Ontario, to a thriving restaurant chain with over 64 locations, Tahini’s is now poised for U.S. expansion—fueled by innovative flavors, a massive social media following, and a franchise model centered around local ownership and community engagement. This week, Chris Ressa talks with Tahini's Founder and CEO Omar Hamam and Business Development Officer Shawn Saraga, on the big plans the company has in the U.S.

Takeaways:

From One Store to a Franchise Empire

Omar Hamam grew Tahini’s from a single restaurant into 64+ locations—and he’s just getting started.

U.S. Expansion Is Underway

First U.S. locations are launching in Illinois, New Jersey, Baltimore, and Miami—with 100 planned in 2–3 years.

Fusion-Forward Menu

Tahini’s blends Mediterranean staples with bold global flavors—think butter chicken shawarma and smoked brisket.

Massive Social Following

With 5M+ followers and 12M weekly views, Tahini’s built U.S. demand before opening a single U.S. store.

Owner-Operator Franchise Model

They reject master franchises—every franchisee must be hands-on, local, and deeply involved in the community.

Built for Delivery and Late Night

Most locations are fast-casual with strong off-premise sales—and 70% stay open until 2 a.m.

Real Estate Sweet Spot

Ideal sites: grocery-anchored centers, 1,200–2,000 SF, with smart infill and non-traditional site flexibility.

Healthier, Guilt-Free Eats

Fresh, grilled, and made-to-order—Tahini’s hits the crave factor without the fast-food regret.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Tahini's and Founders' Backgrounds

07:53 Expansion Journey and Franchise Model

10:51 Store Concept and Market Positioning

13:31 Innovative Menu and Unique Offerings

16:10 Social Media Influence and Brand Awareness

18:45 Franchisee Selection and Community Engagement

22:12 Owner-Operator Approach to Expansion

24:06 Future Growth and Market Strategy

28:54 Health-Conscious Menu and Customer Appeal

In this Retail Retold Replay, Chris Ressa dives into the winding path of a complex lease deal at a DLC shopping center in Cheektowaga, NY — where Five Below ultimately took the space, but not before a rollercoaster of negotiations, tenant terminations, and lessons in legal vs. physical possession.

The story starts with Office Depot downsizing, a prospective tenant backing out, and ends with a successful Five Below opening. Along the way, you'll hear why contingencies in commercial real estate deals are everything — and how timing, relationships, and flexibility can turn a near-miss into a win.

A must-listen for anyone in leasing, development, or deal-making.

Takeaways:

• Buy now, pay later options are on the rise and appealing to younger consumers, and retailers are investing heavily in buy now, pay later platforms.
• Supply chain challenges can vary based on ordering behaviors. Retailers who continued ordering during the pandemic are better positioned.
• Five Below's entry into Cheektowaga, NY involved complex negotiations.
• Possession in commercial real estate can be legally defined but physically contested.
• The importance of having tenants who are committed to their locations.
• Understanding the contingencies in real estate agreements is crucial.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Retail Retold

02:47 The Buy Now, Pay Later Craze

05:40 Supply Chain Insights

08:20 The Five Below Story

Through the lens of a single neighborhood shopping center in Lawrenceville, GA, Chris Ressa lays out a compelling story of what’s happening across retail real estate today—and why the industry isn’t just surviving, it’s thriving.

Despite headlines about disruption and store closures, America is undersupplied when it comes to retail space, and demand is surging. In Lawrenceville, post-COVID success triggered a leasing domino effect that brought in over 40,000 SF of new tenants and added nearly $800K in NOI.

Takeaways:

• The power of low supply and high demand and how it’s reshaping site competition
• A behind-the-scenes look at a grocery-anchored center’s three-year transformation
• The diverse, modern tenant mix redefining “normal” retail—think healthcare, beauty, food, and auto alongside legacy brands
• How smart reinvestment and strong market forces create a flywheel of growth
• Why traditional metrics like “retail per capita” miss the mark in today's environment

Chapters

00:00 Retail Real Estate Fundamentals Post-COVID

05:23 The Lawrenceville Case Study: A Retail Success Story

09:28 The Evolution of Retail Tenant Mix