Craveworthy Brands' concept Taim Mediterranean Kitchen was recently featured in Long Island Business News.
Taim Mediterranean Kitchen, a fast-casual concept that was founded by a two-time Food Network champion, is now available for franchising. Long Island and the greater New York region figure prominently in the brand’s growth strategy.
Now part of the Craveworthy Brands portfolio, Taim was founded by Einat Admony – a James Beard nominated chef – and her husband Stefan Nafziger, in New York’s West Village in 2005. Taim’s menu offerings, which recently expanded, feature such dishes as halal beef, kofta and shawarma, and includes such seasonings as baharat spice blends.
“There’s clear untapped franchise potential in this space, and we’re moving fast to meet it,” Gregg Majewski, CEO and founder of Craveworthy, said in a news release about the franchising opportunities.
“The Mediterranean segment continues to grow, but there’s still massive opportunity for a concept like Taim – one that’s rooted in culture, delivers operational finesse and has broad appeal,” he added. “We’ve built a platform that lets partners grow with confidence, and Taim is the kind of brand that will win.”
The Taim franchise opportunity comes amid growing interest in Mediterranean cuisine. The market research firm IBISWorld reports that the U.S. Mediterranean food market exceeded $33 billion in revenue in 2024, with global projections reaching $74 billion by 2032.
Mediterranean cuisine is one of the fastest-growing segments in fast casual, with consumer demand up 10.2 percent year-over-year as of the first quarter of 2025, according to Technomic, a provider of foodservice insights. Taim’s offerings fit in to meet that demand, catering to various dietary needs and preferences, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal, while also appealing to a broad range of consumers.
Taim means “tasty” in Hebrew. Taim serves Mediterranean dishes that feature fresh produce, traditional spices and long-standing cooking methods. With 14 locations nationwide, including in Plainview, the restaurant has received national recognition, including awards such as “Best Falafel” by “The New Yorker.”
The investment to open a Taim franchise ranges from $250,000 to $760,000, depending on the market and location, according to a Craveworthy spokesperson. The real estate would determine the exact investment. Craveworthy is targeting about 1,000-2,000 square feet, which, according to the organization, is ideal for urban and suburban spaces.
Taim’s initial franchise growth is focused on key East Coast and Midwest regions, which besides New York, includes Washington, D.C., Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Ideal franchisees include experienced restaurant entrepreneurs, multi-unit franchise partners and qualified and dedicated owner-operators, according to the franchisor.
Through the franchise program, Taim partners gain access to Craveworthy’s end-to-end support infrastructure, including streamlined supply chain services, in-depth training processes, marketing strategies, full-stack tech integration and operational guidance, all of which are designed to enable scalability and long-term success.
“When people think of Mediterranean fast casual, they think of real flavor, variety and quality,” Josh Halpern, chief business officer of Craveworthy, said in the news release. “Taim brings all that to the table, plus a strong brand story, authentic culinary edge and a path for entrepreneurs to tap into one of the most up-and-coming segments in food.”