[ALERT] Conquistador Sandwich Shop Retreats to Savannah

Zunzi's has closed its lone Atlanta area eatery.  Located at 1971 Howell Mill Road, Zunzi's Atlanta opened May 30, 2018 and closed as of November 30, according to signage at the restaurant.  There was reportedly no advance warning of the impending closure.    

ToNeTo Atlanta was made aware of the closure when we visited the restaurant Monday afternoon in hopes of eating lunch.  Signage on the restaurant's door confirms the closure and says the decision to close "was incredibly difficult, and it does not reflect the dedication of our team or the support of our community."  (A second Atlanta area location was planned and announced for Decatur but never opened.)  

The sandwich shop, which had in years past won awards from BuzzFeed and People Magazine, among others, had made some menu changes in recent months that seemed to suggest they were looking to appeal to a wider audience. Among the more notable changes were the addition of a burger to the menu and the removal of the eatery's popular fresh (and bottomless) chips in favor of a variety of bagged chips from Zapp's.    

The company also closed a location of sibling concept, Zunzibar, on Hilton Head Island.  The Hilton Head restaurant opened last May and closed as of November 22.  The Zunzi's website suggests it's only a "seasonal closure," but a statement from Zunzi's public relations spokesperson indicates that it, like the Atlanta unit, is closed for good.  

"26X Restaurants closed Zunzibar on Hilton Head Island on Nov. 22 and Zunzi’s in Atlanta on Nov. 30 to pivot toward stronger future growth. This decision allows the company to reallocate resources—people, money, and time—to support our overall success better. Insights gained from these locations will influence future concepts. 26X Restaurants will now focus on launching a new menu and upgrades at the Tybee Island location and supporting upcoming openings in Jupiter, The Villages, and Jacksonville, Florida. This move positions the company for a dynamic new chapter of growth, new markets, and upgraded stores. We are working with other hospitality groups to help employees who will not be taking jobs at one of our Florida locations."

Husband and wife founders Johnny and Gabriella DeBeer opened the first Zunzi's on East York Street in Savannah in 2005.  The restaurant grew to attract a cult-like following to its compact 1,000 square foot space. "Zunzi’s is a mixture of international cuisine that comes from Johnny and Gabriella’s very different cultural backgrounds. A combination of Swiss, Italian, South African and Dutch, Zunzi’s brings together flavors that are unique and delicious as well as always being fresh."  The name itself is derived from the island of Zanzibar in East Africa.     

Chris Smith, along with business partners John Hooff, Sr. and John Hooff, Jr., purchased the concept from the DeBeers in late 2014.  Smith, who comes from a franchise background that includes Five Guys, is now offering franchises of both Zunzi's and Zunzibar, according to the Zunzi's website.  

Employees were on site Monday clearing out and "debranding" the 2,195 square foot Howell Mill restaurant.  It remains to be seen what, if anything, will take over the Zunzi's space anytime soon.  

Are you surprised to see Zunzi's close in Atlanta?  What is your favorite sandwich shop in Atlanta?  What would you like to see open in place of Zunzi's on Howell Mill Road?

Please share your thoughts below.