SAJJ Mediterranean expands in San Francisco and Stanford while eyeing franchise growth

SAJJ Mediterranean is adding a new downtown San Francisco restaurant and its first Stanford University location as the Bay Area fast-casual chain builds on 10% year-to-date same-store sales growth. The company is using its home market as a launchpad for future franchising in California and potentially beyond.

Why it matters: - SAJJ Mediterranean is strengthening its Bay Area base while preparing for a broader expansion model. - The company’s 10% year-to-date same-store sales growth gives SAJJ a stronger backdrop as it invests in new locations and franchise development. - The move shows how the brand is balancing corporate growth in Northern California with a longer-term push into new markets.

What happened: - SAJJ Mediterranean is opening a new restaurant at 71 Stevenson St., Suite 100 in downtown San Francisco. - The new San Francisco location will be the brand’s third in the city. - SAJJ is also opening a location at Stanford University inside Tresidder Memorial Union at 459 Lagunita Drive. - The Stanford opening will be SAJJ’s first non-traditional restaurant. - SAJJ says both openings are part of a broader growth strategy tied to the Bay Area and future franchise expansion.

The details: - The downtown San Francisco restaurant spans about 2,100 square feet. - The San Francisco site features high atrium ceilings, natural light and SAJJ’s “green farm feature.” - The restaurant design reflects a focus on fresh ingredients, locally sourced produce from California farms and halal-certified proteins. - SAJJ currently operates ten restaurants across California, with a heavy concentration in the San Francisco Bay Area. - The company also says it currently operates eleven brick-and-mortar locations across California in San Francisco, San Jose, San Mateo, Menlo Park, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, San Ramon and San Bruno. - Both new locations will serve SAJJ’s customizable Mediterranean menu in an assembly-line format. - Guests can build meals with wraps, pita sandwiches, rice and grain bowls, salads, proteins, spreads, sauces and toppings. - SAJJ’s menu centers on fresh, locally sourced ingredients and Middle Eastern flavors. - The brand also operates restaurants and food trucks. - SAJJ has been recognized by Fast Casual’s Top 100 Movers & Shakers, QSR’s 40 Under 40, the San Francisco Business Times’ Top 100 Fastest Growing Private Companies and the Inc. 5000 list. - More information is available on SAJJ Mediterranean’s website.

Between the lines: - The Stanford location signals that SAJJ is testing formats beyond its standard restaurant model. - The company is using its strongest region as a proving ground before moving harder into franchising. - A campus location can broaden SAJJ’s reach with students, faculty and visitors while giving the brand a different operating environment to learn from.

What's next: - SAJJ is laying the groundwork for future franchise development in California. - The company also sees potential to expand into select markets outside California as the franchise program develops. - Additional non-traditional locations are planned for the future.

The bottom line: - SAJJ Mediterranean is leaning into home-market expansion now, with franchising positioned as the next growth engine.