Kamari Retail, one of the owners of the 'Seven Express' convenience store chain, is purchasing 50% from Zalman's - a kosher fast food chain selling hot dogs.
According to a report by Navit Sommer on the Ynet website, the deal is valued at a company value of 7 million shekels, so that Kamari will pay Zalman's about 3.5 million shekels.
The founder of the network is Moshe Zalman Olive, a Chabad follower of American origin, and alongside him are two Chabad partners, who established the network's first branch in Jerusalem.
Today, Zalman's operates 12 branches: in Tel Aviv, there is a branch in the Azrieli Mall, and additional branches are operating, including in Kiryon, Haifa and Ra'anana, Bnei Brak, Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh, Beitar Illit and Modi'in Illit, and branches will soon open in Elad and Kiryat Motzkin.
The sausages are produced by the 'Glatt Of' factory in Jerusalem, under Mehadrin kosher.
Assaf Kamri, one of the owners of Kamri Retail, told Ynet after the announcement of the deal: "The intention is to expand the network in the Haredi sector. By the end of the year, 20 branches are planned to be opened, with a goal of about 40 branches across the country.".
He said, "We have identified a growth trend in the kosher fast food sector. Our goal is to take Zalman's unique American experience and bring it to new audiences all over the country. Alongside hot dogs, the chain offers a kosher American street food experience, with American deli sandwiches, corndogs, corned beef sandwiches, schnitzels and surprising American snacks.".
Kamri added that his group is "on an expansion trend. We are in negotiations to acquire up to five chains in the coming year, most of them in the fast food sector. Chains that, like Zalman's, are easy to operate and have relatively low costs.".
Zalman's owner, Moshe Zalman Olive: "Zalman's was born out of a true love for the American hot dog and memories of taste, smell, and childhood experiences. The connection with Kamri Retail allows us to take what we have built to date and turn it into a chain that will reach a much larger audience throughout Israel.".
Kamri Retail Group operates in the convenience store, food and commerce sectors in Israel, and specializes in the establishment, development and management of chains in a franchise model. The company operates nationwide from Nahariya to Eilat, and includes over 130 convenience stores operating under the brands Saban Express, Candyland, Sweet & Toys, Hamma Shushelet Pitzuhim and more, alongside dozens of additional branches in the planning, establishment and development stages.
