The firm, Aladdin's Eatery Systems, Inc, is headquartered in Lakewood, a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio.[1][2] Besides Ohio,[3] the company also has locations in Indiana,[4] Virginia,[5] North Carolina, and Pennsylvania.
History
Aladdin's Eatery was founded by Fady and Sally Chamoun in 1994. Since then it has become an extremely lucrative chain of restaurants.[6] Fady Chamoun had arrived in the US from Lebanon in 1972 and worked at Little Caesars full-time while studying at the University of Michigan.[1] Over the next twenty years he rose within Little Caesars, eventually running 40 franchises, which he sold, leaving him with $10,000 after repaying his debts, which he used to help fund a site in Lakewood, OH.[1]
By 2004 the chain had 17 outlets and Chamoun won the Northeast Ohio Ernst & Young Retail Entrepreneur Of The Year award.[7] Chamoun had established Jasmine's Bakery in Cleveland in 1997 to supply all his restaurants and by 2004 it was employing 40 people and making sales of $2 million.[1]
In 2013 the chain was reported to have 30 sites in 5 US states.[8]
Reception
With a concept of "providing good food with a slightly exotic flavour and cheap prices"[3] the chain is noted by reviewers for its assortment of soups, smoothies and juices, and options for vegetarians and meat lovers.[5][9] Desserts such as traditional Lebanese baklava or pistachio cookies, which are supplied from Jasmine’s bakery, compete with more American gourmet cheesecakes. [10]
