Zalman’s hot dogs gets new owner as Kamari targets 40 branches nationwide
Kamari is acquiring half of the Haredi-founded kosher chain, which currently operates 12 locations and is concentrated largely in religious cities.
The Haredi founder of Zalman’s hot dog chain is selling a 50% stake in the business to the Kamari retail group. The deal values the chain at NIS 7 million ($2.3M).
Zalman’s is owned by Moshe Zalman Olive and currently operates 12 franchised branches. Kamari plans to expand the chain to 40 locations and turn it into a nationwide brand.
The chain currently operates primarily in cities with large religious populations, including Bnei Brak, Jerusalem, Beitar Illit, Beit Shemesh and Modi’in Illit. It also has branches in Ra’anana, Tel Aviv, Kiryat Bialik and Lod, and is expected to open additional locations in Elad and Kiryat Motzkin.
The fast-food chain specializes in American-style kosher hot dogs and smoked sausages.
Kamari is acquiring its stake against the backdrop of growth in the kosher fast-food market. The deal is part of the group’s strategy of expanding through acquisitions of food and retail chains.
Kamari is owned by Assaf Kamari, with a 33.4% stake; Hodaya Group, with 33.3%; and Toni Ziv and Yossi Mizrahi, who together hold the remaining 33.3%.
The group operates 130 convenience stores under the Seven Express, Candyland, Sweet & Toys and Hamama Shoshelet Pitzuchim brands.
It also operates 50 franchise locations across the café, fast-food, restaurant, pharmacy and convenience-store sectors. Its portfolio includes Arcaffe, Roladin, Golda, BE Pharm, Pizza Agvania, Moses, Yashka, Tahanat Lechem, Metuka, Newshi, Ilan’s, Olam Hamamtaktakim, Lahmajun, Kakao, Pita Basar and Aroma.
