FS Food Group CEO Frank Scibelli has signed a lease at 15105 John J. Delaney Drive. The space is 2,600 square feet and will be home to the fourth Yafo Kitchen location. The spot was previously the location of J.J.’s Red Hots, which closed during the pandemic.
Scibelli said they are aiming for an opening in the first quarter of 2025.
Yafo first opened in Charlotte in 2016 with the goal of bringing a fast-casual dining experience to the Mediterranean cuisine landscape. Its dishes also have Middle Eastern influences. Menu items include shawarma, build-your-own pitas and bowls, kabobs, rotisserie chicken and spanakopita.
Scibelli said that customers can expect the same menu, format and concept for the upcoming location.
“You can expect mostly all the same things,” Scibelli said. “We probably are going to be modifying it slightly because of the impact that DoorDash and third-party deliveries have had, so it will probably be easier for third-party delivery. And we’ll probably make some tweaks to the menu, but that will be for all the [Yafo] restaurants.”
Scibelli said they are currently working on plans for construction. Yafo requires a more complex kitchen setup since they make all their menu items from scratch.
“We’re trying to make the space look like a Yafo but have its own characteristics,” Scibelli said. “We’re really working on the nuts and bolts of laying out the restaurant and making sure it works properly so we can execute.”
The new spot comes during a time of expansion for FS Food Group. It features other concepts in addition to Yafo, including Calle Sol, Little Mama’s, Midwood Smokehouse, Paco’s Tacos & Tequila and Mama Ricotta’s.
The Yafo development follows a new Calle Sol location that opened in SouthPark two months ago. There is also a Little Mama’s slated to open in Huntersville in 2025, and Scibelli teased a yet-to-be-announced restaurant currently in the works.
The other Yafo locations are at SouthPark, Plaza Midwood and Dilworth. Scibelli said they are looking forward to reaching a new part of the city and feels the new Yafo will be a good location for the brand.
