We're excited to see our client Taziki’s listed as the first REAL Certified national franchise. The REAL Certification is kind of like a grading system for how healthy and fresh a restaurant is — it’s a national standard for foodservice nutrition and sustainability. When you see a restaurant with the REAL stamp of approval, you know that an independent organization has vetted them, and that terms like “healthy” and “made-from-scratch” are true and not just buzzwords.
Okay, there are about a million things I loved about working with Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe as a client: They had clear goals about what they wanted from the website. They wanted the site to be fun and innovative. They make a product that they deserve to be proud of. All that, and they were just really, really fun to work with. And now Taziki’s has gone and made me even more proud to work with them by becoming the first REAL Certified national franchise.
Here at Infomedia, a few of us are a little bit obsessed with clean eating — the healthier and fresher, the better. It’s a way to understand our food a little bit more, and it’s a way to be sure all those CrossFit hours don’t go to waste. But we’re not alone. Fresh, healthy food is a huge trend right now, and unlike a trend like high-fashion culottes (seriously, what?), it’s not going away.
That’s why we’re excited to see Taziki’s listed as the first REAL Certified national franchise. The REAL Certification is kind of like a grading system for how healthy and fresh a restaurant is — it’s a national standard for foodservice nutrition and sustainability. When you see a restaurant with the REAL stamp of approval, you know that an independent organization has vetted them, and that terms like “healthy” and “made-from-scratch” are true and not just buzzwords.
Of course, Taziki’s has always been committed to these principles, but it’s still a good business decision to get the certification. Here in Birmingham, Taziki’s already feels like family, and we already trust them to make us healthy food. But as Taziki’s grows as a franchise, it’s a good move for them to get certified so each and every community that welcomes a new Taziki’s has that same level of trust.
So, what does this voluntary audit involve? A lot, actually. A registered dietician reviews all this:
- Menus
- Ingredients
- Preparation methods
- Sourcing
- Nutrient-rich vegetables, fruits and whole grains
- Scratch cooking and minimally processed foods
- Healthier cooking methods and moderate portion size
- Unsweetened beverage and healthy children’s options
- More sustainable sourcing methods such as local and organic
Uh, wow. That’s a pretty high bar to set, and I’m proud of Taziki’s for reaching it. To celebrate, I might just go for a Taziki’s Tuesday Special — it’s a Roasted Pork Loin Sandwich with chutney aioli, tomato and lettuce on a warm kaiser bun … and that seems like the perfect way to celebrate.
