Naf Naf Founder Sahar Sander Dies at 47

Sahar Sander, one of the founders of Mediterranean fast casual Naf Naf Middle Eastern Grill, originally called Naf Naf Grill, died this past Friday. He was 47.

Funeral services were held Sunday at Chicago Jewish Funerals in Skokie, Illinois.

Sander and Elan Burger started the brand in a former Taco Bell on E. Ogden Avenue in 2009. Business partners David Sloan and Justin Halpenny joined the picture later. Private-equity firm Roark Capital Group invested in 2015. This past January, the brand rebranded with CEO Paul Damico at the helm, the former president of North America for Focus Brands. A franchising program is in the works the 38-unit chain.

Sander is survived by his daughters, Gabrielle and Elya Sander; parents Nissim and Sara Sender; and siblings, Einav (Erez) Sisso and Inbal (Tamir) Chalaf.

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