YOUR GO-TO SHAWARMA SPOT
Bursting with a marinade of Mediterranean herbs and spices, tender shawarma meat is thinly sliced, grilled, and added to a pita wrap with a multitude of fillings available to enhance the unmistakable flavor.
Shawarma is a type of dish that many cultures originating from the Middle East have enjoyed and personalized with their own unique twists for countless years. While it has become known as a casual way of eating in many modern-day cities, these flavors and traditions represent the beauty and history of the Mediterranean region and have brought people together over fond memories attached to the dish.
BRINGING SHAWARMA TO NORTH AMERICA
The company’s flavorful dishes, topped with signature sauces, are a modern take on a classic Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dish and have proven to be a huge hit with its ever-expanding customer base.
A proud family-run operation, Osmow’s is now overseen by Sam, his son Ben, CEO and Head of Franchising, and his daughter Bernadette, President and Chief Marketing Officer, alongside a dedicated team of professionals who come equipped with years of QSR experience.
“Food and beverage is the best industry to be in! It is always exciting and has infinite potential,” opens Ben.
“Whether you are directly in the industry or not, you inevitably have an interest in what’s new and exciting within it,” he enthuses.
The restaurant industry is a notoriously difficult industry to find long-term success in, but Osmow’s has triumphed over the years, sticking true to its motto: we’re makin’ what you’re cravin’.
WHY OSMOW’S?
“Our biggest differentiator is that we are the largest shawarma brand in Canada and the biggest pioneer within our space. We have created National Shawarma Day along with a series of new menu items,” explains Ben.
Additionally, shawarma is prepared a little differently at Osmow’s. Once the marinated meat is delicately carved, it is grilled to caramelized perfection and then served on the ROCKS™ (on rice), with STIX™ (fries), or classically wrapped in a thin pita bread.
Along with this unique method of preparation, Osmow’s also produces all of the food in a proprietary production facility before it is distributed to restaurants. The company purchases raw ingredients (protein such as chicken, lamb, and beef, along with packaging, sauces, etc.) and then makes the products in-house.
This way of producing food and sending it to restaurants ensures that the franchise owners, who are incredibly important to the growth and success of the company, do not have to worry about the supply chain.
“We have built strong and productive relationships with our suppliers through timely communication, sharing concerns whenever necessary, and addressing the need for compliance”
Prince Bhatt, Director of Procurement, Osmow’s Shawarma
REVOLUTIONARY FRANCHISEES
The success of Osmow’s has been attributed to the hard work and dedication of its revolutionary franchisees and employees who make up the company.
Having an important hand in what the restaurant chain is today, several employees have even been converted into franchisees, and several franchisees have been able to own more than one location due to the success experienced.
“We have partnered with franchisees and have seen them grow from one restaurant all the way up to 15,” excites Ben.
With an initial investment of roughly USD$450,000 to open a restaurant, average sales are then very high, considering the market, at roughly USD$1 million per year. A franchisee can, therefore, ultimately get a return on investment (ROI) in just two years and see significant profits.
“We are expanding with our existing franchisees who are performing well and excited about their opportunities to grow,” comments Ben.
“Our multi-unit franchising course helps franchisees to develop a plan for the future and prepare well in advance,” he continues.
Osmow’s’ head office supports its franchisees across their operations, going above and beyond to ensure they are in the best position to continue their success. This close working relationship and people-centric approach means the team spirit at the company remains true to its family origins as it continues to enjoy accelerated growth.
THE IMPORTANCE OF PROCUREMENT
Furthermore, this strategy has helped tremendously in risk management by diversifying the company’s products, reducing the impact of disruptions, and providing a significant advantage over competitors.
Prince Bhatt, Director of Procurement at Osmow’s, holds close relationships with these partners, ensuring that both the supplier and the company mutually benefit from the partnership.
“As Osmow’s’ procurement lead, I understand where to collaborate with our suppliers to combine our strengths and meet our goals,” opens Prince.
“Our purpose is to create a supplier partnership that delivers on time and meets our daily needs.
“We strategically procure raw proteins and spices to supply our plant to make finished fine-marinated proteins. Similarly, we procure packaging items, food commodities, etc., and redistribute them to the individual franchises across North America,” he expands.
Many of these items that Osmow’s strategically sources come from across the globe, while also maintaining supply chain flexibility and helping ramp up products to meet the needs of its many customers.
“Our suppliers play an equivalent role in Osmow’s’ growth, and I consider them major players in our company’s success,” notes Prince.
By focusing on the long-term outlook of Osmow’s’ business objectives and vision, Prince and the company prioritize building relationships with suppliers beyond just the individual transaction.
“We maintain very regular communication with all these crucial vendors and receive regular feedback; our suppliers are treated like partners,” comments Prince.
“I certainly believe that this is the way forward for Osmow’s’ procurement to become the business client of choice for any supplier,” he continues.
These healthy relationships have allowed the company to improve and streamline its supply chain and positively impact its tactical sourcing.
Additionally, to ensure a positive impact on the procurement network and to make the most of the benefits that assist stakeholders within the supply chain, Prince has undertaken some essential steps.
These include ensuring volume by gauging the correct forecast to the supplier in order to help them maintain the inventory level, a strict supplier selection process to uphold high standards, and cost analysis to guarantee that the company’s sourcing strategy is aligned with its budget to control the expenditure on the product.
The immense importance of healthy relationships with partners within the supply chain to continue to grow Osmow’s’ services and reach is extremely evident. This strategic and tactical sourcing has helped the company with cost savings, improved customer satisfaction, and has built a sustainable competitive advantage in today’s QSR world.
THE OSMOW’S HOPE FUND CHARITY
“This charity is one we built to help others in third-world countries, as we ourselves are originally from a third-world country,” explains Ben.
“We want to help others have the opportunity to rise above adversity and be in the position where they can support others as well,” he continues.
Since the launch of the charity, it has been able to feed over 2,200 children daily in places of learning in India and Zambia, and has raised over CAD$200,000 to ensure that no child has to go to school hungry.
The charity’s vision entails removing hunger and other absent basic necessities of life as an obstacle to the advancements of developing communities, and its goal is to continue to tell the story of the areas that the company serves, using its platform to bring awareness and change.
Additionally, Osmow’s has worked with homeless shelters and food banks throughout the Greater Toronto area to give back some of the success that it has earned over the years, with the ultimate mission of progressing communities both locally and abroad.
FUTURE OF SHAWARAMA
This modern take on traditional Mediterranean cuisine is unlike any other, blending together rich flavors and cultural significance for a uniquely beloved dish that customers and foodies of all ages and demographics delight in.
The future is bright for Osmow’s as the company continues to look towards expanding even further across North America over the coming years.
“We are opening 20 franchisee restaurants in 2024 and will have another 10 sign on to help us achieve these goals,” excites Ben.
Currently opening an average of 30 to 35 restaurants per year, Osmow’s is aiming for a total of 200 outlets by the end of 2024, with a primary focus on expansion within the US.
The first US restaurant was opened in Miami in 2022, with the second in New York in 2023, along with two more planned for the state of Florida in Q1 2024. The company is currently planning for a second production facility to cater to its rapid expansion.
“Ultimately, we are excited about expanding into new markets and finding some amazing additional franchise partners,” comments Ben.
Along with additional restaurants in the US, Osmow’s has begun seeking spaces within populous food courts and airports to further its reach even more for those looking for great flavor on the go.
Osmow’s has built a time-tested and steadfast reputation for using the highest quality ingredients in order to deliver traditional recipes that are freshly interpreted and served with passion to guests.
With a vision of becoming the leading Mediterranean QSR franchise that presents diverse, flavorful, and healthier menu options to consumers everywhere while also delivering exceptional customer service, Osmow’s has created a positive impact in communities both locally and abroad and produced business excellence.
OSMOW’S SHAWARMA PARTNER
