How Tahini's is Winning the Race for Growth

For growing brands, expansion is the goal. The real question is how you get there.

At a time when restaurant concepts are racing to sign development deals, enter major markets, and announce aggressive expansion plans, Tahini's is taking a different approach. The Mediterranean fast-casual brand is growing quickly across North America, but the strategy behind that growth is surprisingly disciplined.

Shawn Saraga has spent more than two decades in franchising, helping open over 1,000 locations across multiple brands. That experience has shaped a philosophy that sounds simple but is often ignored: bad growth is more dangerous than no growth at all.

The conversation explores why the company walked away from locations that looked good on paper, why it chose suburban markets before major urban centers, and why franchisees aren't automatically awarded multi-unit rights just because they have the capital.

There's also a broader discussion about what separates successful franchise systems from struggling ones. Education, site selection, operational readiness, and decision-making speed all emerge as recurring themes. As lending standards tighten and operators face greater scrutiny, the brands that win may not be the ones growing the fastest. They may be the ones building the strongest foundation.

For retail real estate professionals, investors, franchise operators, and developers, this discussion offers a useful reminder: the best growth stories aren't built on ambition alone. They're built on discipline, execution, and knowing when to say no.

Because sometimes the smartest expansion strategy isn't finding more deals.

It's passing on the wrong ones.

What You’ll Hear

Why the fastest-growing brands are often the most disciplined
How Tahini's is using social media to fuel real-world expansion
Why saying "no" to the wrong location can be the best growth strategy
The challenge of balancing speed, execution, and smart decision-making
How franchise education creates stronger operators and better outcomes
What it takes to scale a restaurant brand without losing control

Chapters

00:00 – Tahini’s enters its next growth phase

Shawn shares the brand’s expansion plans across the U.S. and Canada.

03:02 – What makes Tahini’s different

A look at the concept, menu innovation, social media strategy, and operating model.

05:38 – Choosing the right markets

How franchise demand and audience data shaped U.S. expansion decisions.

07:39 – Chasing category leaders

Shawn discusses performance expectations and competing in the fast-casual space.

08:22 – Testing the drive-thru model

Why Auburn, Alabama became the brand’s first drive-thru location.

09:07 – Site selection, and development strategy

What Tahini’s is looking for from landlords, brokers, and developers.

10:47 – The Franchise Toolbox

Shawn explains his new book and franchise education platform.

14:31 – Better franchisees make better operators

How education improves site decisions, planning, and execution.

15:08 – First-time owners vs. multi-unit operators

The evolution of franchise recruitment as the brand grows.

16:47 – Moving at deal speed

Why responsiveness is a competitive advantage in retail real estate.

21:28 – Looking ahead

Final thoughts on growth, franchising, and what's next for Tahini’s.