If you're one of the many diners who miss Zoes Kitchen, especially the "OG" Zoes of Birmingham, we have good news for you! Zoes Kitchen founders Zoe & Marcus along with their son John Cassimus, have reached an agreement to acquire one Zoes Kitchen in Birmingham and reopen it under the family's ownership and direction.
Today there are just 33 Zoes Kitchen restaurants spread across eleven states. In Georgia, the company once had more than 20 locations, but today, after eventually converting sixteen units over the past two years (and closing two others), just five remain open. The remaining locations - Emory, Snellville, Peachtree City, Columbus and Savannah - are all slated to close or convert in the coming months. The company has not confirmed which locations will be converted to Cava versus closing permanently.
After leaving Zoes, John went on to start several other restaurants including Maki Fresh, Ms. Dots and Jinsei, all of which he sold in 2018 in advance of a pivot into the retail liquidation business. This past July, Cassimus launched "Bidding Kings," an auction service for liquidating retail merchandise and opened locations in Hoover and Opelika, Alabama.
According to Cassimus, the Birmingham (Crestline) location she and her family are reopening will serve as the final Zoes with no plans to open additional units. The restaurant, located at 225 Country Club Park, closed as a Zoes Kitchen under Cava ownership and is expected to reopen "soon" with the Cassimus family at the helm.
For many years ToNeTo Atlanta has heard from readers lamenting first the loss of certain classic Zoes menu items (slaw anyone?), and later the loss of their local Zoes in total. According to a Facebook post John Cassimus made announcing the news, the "new" Zoes will actually be anything but and will feature the "original" Zoes menu!
The Cassimuses have launched new social handles and a website to track the progress leading up to their grand re-opening.
How do you think Cava compares the "OG" Zoes Kitchen? Are you pleased to see the Zoes brand continue? Do you plan to visit Zoes Kitchen in Birmingham?
Please share your thoughts below.
37 comments:
I always liked Zoe’s and honestly haven’t even been to those converted to Cava
Cava sucks compared to Zoe's. It's more expensive and with less options. Wish they were doing this in Atlanta.
I frequented Zoe’s at least once a week as it was very close to my work. As a vegetarian, I could find so many tasty options. Since the store closest to me converted to Cava last year, I’ve been twice and have no plans to return. The store is never busy, like it was as a Zoe’s. I would love to see Zoe’s popping up around Atlanta again.
Loved Zoes. Have given CAVA and Chopt a chance but come up empty. Gusto maybe.
CAVA blows big time. Bring Zoe’s back to Atlanta!
Cava is terrible and never should have converted the majority of Zoe’s stores. I miss being able to pick and choose my meal and the healthy options
Went to CAVA for the 1st time paid $15 for a salad with about 2oz of meat. Never went back.
I have eaten at both and will take Zoe's over CAVA any day. What were those people thinking?
I loved Zoe's salmon entrees and the hummus options. The Cava locations started off well but the service and food quality has tanked. I almost broke a tooth on the undercooked rice last time I ordered, and they were out of half the toppings. The staff is surly and unhelpful.
There has to be a market for "fast casual" Mediterranean that goes beyond bowls.
They aren't really the same menu. I like Cava but definitely miss some of those classic Zoe's menu items.
Cava was unimpressive and overpriced. Only ate there once. So sad Zoe’s is going away.
I miss their rosemary white beans.
Wish it was coming back in Buckhead! Zoe’s is sooooo much better than Cava. I’ve been to Cava twice, which was two times too many.
Miss Zoe’s…. Cava not as good.
Cava is ok but I really miss Zoe’s. Also the service and management are so bad at Cava. They never seem to get my takeout order right and do not handle it well when I call to complain.
Cava terrible, can't compare. Miss Zoes which we frequented on a regular basis
I frequented Zoe’s a lot and loved them. I went to Cava’s twice and hated it both times. I miss Zoe’s so much. Please come back to Atlanta.
Don't understand why they converted all of them. It isn't like Chipotle buying Moe's where it's the same thing. Cava and Zoe's were so different and would both be able to thrive in the same markets. Bad decision by Cava...
Zoe’s was fabulous! Salads, dressing (I miss buying it for home!), the hummus was amazing and all the meat was perfect. Please come back to Roswell, GA. Cava is mehhh at best. I love flavor but it’s over done with seasoning not
to mention I always leave kind of hungry, without the full plate of food I always received at Zoe’s!
I second this. So tasty and fresh and affordable. Cava is not near as good.
I miss Zoe’s. I went into a Cava and walked out without ordering. The menu seemed very limited.
I spent thousands of dollars per year on Zoe’s catering for work events and weekend family dinners. Zoe’s was a differentiator in the market. I have never stepped foot into the “bowl crazed” concept of Cava. Some one bring back Zoe’s to the Atlanta market.
We need Zöes back in metro Atlanta. It was a horrible idea to convert all of them to Cava when the menus do not overlap. It's rarely a good idea to completely remove a popular restaurant from the market completely.
I miss Zoes in Peachtree Battle Buckhead. I've never had any interest in Cava..never been there and plan not to go there.
Bring back the Zoes
Please bring Zoe’s back!!! I was an avid customer and cava does not do it justice
Loved them when they first opened then they kept changing their menu and the food started getting steadily bad. Then virus of unknown origins hit and they started closing. Cava doesn't appear to be too appealing.
Please bring Zoe’s back to Alpharetta!! We miss it so much!!
Agree with everybody else's sentiments. Cava is salty and tasteless. It is not even close to Zoe's. I would love to see Zoe's come back.
OMG! The hummus was so tasty. I also miss the delicious rice, and the ham sandwich. Never been to CAVA.
That was my favorite location!
Zoe’s was so much better than Cava! They were out of pita bread the day we went and other things.
I’m going to be in the minority here, but I think they both suck….
With food service, it is 90% about the staff….makes or breaks the establishment always!!!
Was just talking about this. Zoe’s local number was on speed dial for great healthy delicious meal options during the week. I went to Cava once and did not like it at all. Confusing. Not enough protein and nowhere near what Zoe’s was! #BringBackZoes!!
Zoe's white beans were the best of the best. I miss the OG Zoe's menu -- it was clean, simple and absolutely delicious! Cava is awful.
So many Cava haters! I love Cava. I also liked Zoe's. Probably shouldn't have converted all of them.
I visited Zoe every so often and it was a good change of pace but nothing on the Cava menu interests me whatsoever.
Another down vote for Cava.
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