The Story Behind Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe: How It All Started

In 1997, Keith Richards and his wife Amy took a vacation to Greece. While wandering among the narrow streets and sunlit plazas, they found themselves drawn to the small, welcoming Mediterranean cafés: places where people lingered over food, conversation, and community. That experience struck a deeper chord than just enjoying a vacation meal. Keith said, “This is what I want to do. This is who I want to be.”

Returning to Alabama, Keith and Amy set about designing their version of that Mediterranean café feel — relaxed, warm, full of fresh ingredients and bold flavors. In 1998, they opened the first Taziki’s in Birmingham, Alabama (in the Cahaba Mall / Colonnade area). 

From that first location, they kept their focus narrow: offering dishes inspired by the Mediterranean (Greek roots especially) — gyros, grilled meats, fresh salads, housemade dips — in a “fast casual” format (i.e. good quality, approachable, not full fine dining).

Since then, they have been committed to bringing that experience across the American southeast and beyond, partnering with Fresh Hospitality to expand through franchising. They developed relationships through trusted partners in order to grow wisely and to keep the hospitable, welcoming feel in every Taziki’s. If you’re interested, watch The Story of Taziki’s and learn how you can become a part of Taziki’s story.