The Halal Guys Franchise

The Halal Guys Franchise Inc. was formed in New Jersey in May 2014 and began offering franchises in June 2014. Headquartered in Astoria, New York, the company licenses a restaurant system built around its brand, recipes, proprietary ingredients and service standards. Ahmed Abouelenein has served as CEO since January 2015.

Restaurants typically occupy 1,500 to 2,000 square feet in locations such as strip centers, lifestyle centers and freestanding buildings. The business combines kitchen preparation with a service line for dine-in and take-out orders. Franchisees use approved recipes, suppliers, equipment and point-of-sale systems, while managing food quality, staffing, inventory and local restaurant operations.

Restaurant investment and development

The estimated initial investment for one restaurant is $417,600 to $1,310,250, including a $45,000 franchise fee and $17,000 on-site opening assistance fee. The estimate includes specified funds for the first three months. Construction assumptions range from converting an existing restaurant to developing a landlord-provided white-box space. Real estate purchases, delayed-opening charges and certain additional drive-through site costs are excluded; a drive-through is optional. A separate multi-unit agreement requires a commitment to develop at least five restaurants.

The Halal Guys provides a four-week initial program for designated management and kitchen trainees, with classroom instruction and practical restaurant training. Subjects include food and kitchen safety, preparation and cooking, service-line operations, cashier functions, restaurant management, marketing, supply chain and development. Training takes place at designated offices and restaurant locations, with virtual instruction possible. Initial tuition for the designated first group is included in the franchise fee; travel, lodging, meals and wages are separate.

Before opening, the franchisor provides site selection guidelines, prototype design plans for adaptation by the owner’s architect, operating manuals and approved supplier specifications. It reviews the grand-opening advertising campaign and supplies up to five days of on-site opening assistance for the first restaurant under the separate $17,000 fee. Owners remain responsible for finding, leasing, constructing and equipping an approved location.

Ongoing support includes operating guidance, manual updates, restaurant evaluations and access to headquarters consultation subject to staff availability. Additional training and franchise meetings may be required and may carry fees. Designated staff must maintain food-safety certification. Each restaurant must retain an approved general manager and three assistant general managers who meet the training requirements and devote their full time to managing operations.

The Halal Guys offers a defined American Halal restaurant concept with a standardized menu, preparation system and brand presentation. Owners build around signature meats and sauces rather than creating a restaurant menu and operating procedures from the beginning. Its dine-in and take-out format provides a clear service focus, supported by approved purchasing, inventory and point-of-sale systems.

The opportunity suits an operator prepared to recruit and lead a restaurant management team, maintain food quality and execute daily service standards. Training connects kitchen and service-line work with business operations, while prototype plans and opening assistance support development of the first location. Qualified operators can also explore the separate multi-unit program under a defined development schedule.

For more detail on the business model, read The Halal Guys Franchise: Restaurant Model, Training and Owner Responsibilities.