Restaurant dishing up halal street food debuts in lower South End
The Halal Guys has arrived in the Carolinas. The New York City-based franchise’s first restaurant in Charlotte — and in North Carolina — has soft opened in lower South End. The 2,400-square-foot restaurant is at 3216 South Blvd., suite 102. It’s part of The Platform, which spans more than 42,000 square feet of adaptive-reuse space and new construction near the Clanton Road intersection.
The eatery opens at 11 a.m. daily, with a grand-opening celebration slated for end of October 2024.
Plans call for free food, with the first 100 guests receiving a free platter on Nov. 2. On Nov. 3, the first 150 guests will receive 25% off their order. Guests who download The Halal Guys app and purchase food will be entered into giveaways.
Kamran Awan’s Greensboro-based Mega Group is behind the restaurant. “It’s been a long time coming, and we have put our heart and soul into this project,” says Eibaad Ahmed, director of operations for Mega. “We’re excited to serve locals and visitors looking for unique, high-quality halal cuisine.” The restaurant dishes up a signature menu of authentic American halal dishes, meaning food that is permissible under Islamic dietary requirements. Customers choose from the regular or small platter — think beef, gyro, chicken, falafel or a combo — with rice, lettuce and tomatoes as well as a choice of toppings. It is then finished with The Halal Guys’ signature white and hot sauce.
There’s a sandwich option made with warm pita and a choice of protein. Sides include hummus, baba ghanoush, falafel and fries. Desserts include baklava, baklava cheesecake and chocolate chip cookies. The average ticket is $10 to $14. This is the first of five locations the Mega Group plans for The Halal Guys in the Charlotte market. Ahmed says it is ideal for the brand to be in a bustling community. “This location came together by choosing a spot that’s central, accessible and vibrant,” he says.
The group is also looking for locations in Ballantyne, Plaza Midwood, the University City area and NoDa. Spaces should be 1,800 to 2,300 square feet. Front-facing, corner, endcap or second-generation locations are a bonus.
Rhett Batanides, vice president with Foundry Commercial, represented The Halal Guys on the lower South End lease. John Vickers with KW Commercial represented The Platform. Ahmed says The Halal Guys is the largest halal fast-food franchise, with more than 100-plus locations worldwide.
The brand was founded in 1990 by Egyptian immigrants, Mohamed Abouelenein, Ahmed Elsaka, and Abdelbaset Elsayed. The trio launched a hot dog cart in New York City but quickly pivoted. They began selling halal food to Muslim taxi drivers — and quickly found a larger audience, catering to lunch rushes and late-night food runs.
It delivers a distinct experience diners can’t find elsewhere, Ahmed says. “We bring an authentic taste of Middle Eastern flavors, setting ourselves apart with fresh, high-quality ingredients and our signature white and hot sauces,” Ahmed says.
The Halal Guys has previously told the Charlotte Business Journal it plans to open about 20 locations throughout the Carolinas.
That includes a deal for a 2,400-square-foot location to Fort Mill’s Pendleton Village. Franchisee Shakti Patel is partnering with Vrund Patel and Roberts Parks to bring five locations to a territory that includes Rock Hill and Columbia, South Carolina. Franchise disclosure documents show the initial investment for a store ranges between $461,400,025 and roughly $1.3 million. There’s a $60,000 franchise fee, according to Fransmart. That franchise development firm lists availability for The Halal Guys restaurants. It states there are 400-plus locations in development worldwide. The Halal Guys joins Platform Sports Bar, which opened Oct. 25 at the lower South End complex. That 11,000-square-foot venue has indoor space dedicated to sports viewing. A 5,500-square-foot rooftop bar, called PS at the Platform, is set to open in November.
The Platform is also home to authentic Chinese restaurant Sun’s Kitchen and a location of The Cookie Plug by Omega Group.
Mega’s Awan has other restaurants in the works as well, recently inking a 10-unit development deal for Los Angeles-based The Red Chickz. Plans include opening four locations in Charlotte, four in Raleigh and two in Greensboro.