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Prague Restaurateur DZHIM Bets on Premium Fast Food, Innovation
PRAGUE (AP) — Prague-based restaurateur DZHIM is betting on a blend of premium fast food and constant innovation with his growing portfolio of eateries. His concepts, including Shawarma Bar, Matok, Easy’s Pizza, and the soon-to-launch japanese Matoka, aim to offer quality ingredients and unique culinary experiences at accessible prices.
“I do what I like and where I like to go,” DZHIM explained.”Every business has to be based on business, not just look nice. I wont to create trends, not follow them.”
The Shawarma Bar, such as, is envisioned as a “selection shaware,” akin to specialty coffee. “Coffee from Costa Rica will taste different than from Ethiopia,” DZHIM said.”It’s the same for Shaware. It is indeed a Mediterranean cuisine,but we want to experiment with various tastes of world kitchens.”
Matoka American features the Philly Cheesesteak, which DZHIM credits as the starting point for his ventures, alongside Smash Burgers and American Fries. Easy’s Pizza aims to bring New York-style pizza to Prague, while also incorporating elements of Italian pizza making.
DZHIM categorizes his operations as premium fast food or bistros, emphasizing quality ingredients and planning while keeping prices down by having customers order at the bar.
The name “Matoka” comes from the Mimoni movie, where it means “hungry.” DZHIM says this reflects the group’s desire for growth, innovation, and new ideas.
“People often get used to something quickly, and today’s time is pushing to create something new,” DZHIM said. “that’s why we want to put something extra into everything, even if it is just a little thing. This is true for food, design, and environment.” He plans to introduce seasonal menu additions every three months.
DZHIM’s business approach emphasizes minimal investment and maximum return. He sources furniture from flea markets, uses vintage pieces, and undertakes some projects himself.
“We haven’t had a strong chef that we can build on the name, but it goes without big investment,” DZHIM said. He aims for each business to become profitable within six months. A New York-based art director oversees a consistent visual identity across all ventures.
“If I knew how much effort was needed, I do not know if I woudl go into it at all,” DZHIM said.”Today it is different, we have worked and look at things differently. We have a lot of ideas, but we need to go slowly and constantly improve.” he is currently focused on the Holešovice neighborhood of Prague.Ultimately, DZHIM aims to build a stable business based on experience and community, with plans for additional projects such as a Business School.
Prague Restaurateur DZHIM Bets on Premium Fast Food, Innovation: A Q&A
What is DZHIM’s business beliefs?
DZHIM, a Prague-based restaurateur, is focused on a blend of premium fast food adn constant innovation. He aims to offer quality ingredients and unique culinary experiences at accessible prices. “I do what I like and where I like to go,” DZHIM explained. He also emphasized that every business needs to be based on solid business principles and not just aesthetics, stating his interest in creating trends rather than following them.
What types of restaurants does DZHIM operate?
DZHIM’s ventures include:
Shawarma Bar: Offers a variety of Shawarma, with unique flavor profiles inspired by different world cuisines.
Matoka American: features items like the Philly Cheesesteak, Smash burgers, and American Fries.
Easy’s pizza: Aims to bring New York-style pizza to Prague, incorporating elements of Italian pizza-making.
Japanese Matoka: (Soon to launch)
What Makes DZHIM’s Shawarma Bar Unique?
The Shawarma Bar is envisioned as a “selection shaware,” similar to a specialty coffee shop. The goal is to experiment with various tastes from global kitchens, much like how coffee from Costa Rica varies in flavor from coffee from Ethiopia.
What Inspired DZHIM to Start his Restaurant Ventures?
The Philly Cheesesteak at Matoka American is the pivotal point of DZHIM’s ventures, which he wanted to create.
How does DZHIM categorize his restaurants?
DZHIM categorizes his operations as premium fast food or bistros. This indicates a focus on quality ingredients, careful planning, and a comfortable dining experience, while keeping prices down by having customers order at the bar.
Where does the name “Matoka” come from?
The name “Matoka” comes from the Mimoni movie and translates to “hungry,” which DZHIM says reflects the group’s desire for growth,innovation,and new ideas.
What’s DZHIM’s approach to creating a unique experience?
DZHIM aims to put something extra into every aspect of his restaurants, from food and design to the overall environment. He plans to introduce seasonal menu additions every three months to ensure freshness and innovation.”People frequently enough get used to something quickly, and today’s time is pushing to create something new,” DZHIM said.
How does DZHIM manage his business investments and costs?
DZHIM emphasizes minimal investment and maximizing returns. He achieves this by:
Sourcing furniture from flea markets and using vintage pieces.
Undertaking some projects himself.
Aiming for profitability within six months for each business.
Employing a New York-based art director to ensure a consistent visual identity across all ventures.
Coudl you summarize some of DZHIM’s Core Business Strategies?
| Strategy | Description |
| ————————- | —————————————————————————————————————————————- |
| Premium Fast Food Concept | Focus on quality ingredients and planning to set the restaurant apart from others. |
| Cost-Effective Design | Sourcing furniture from flea markets and vintage pieces, potentially reducing a high investment. |
| rapid Growth and Innovation | Expanding offerings like seasonal menu additions. |
| Financial Goals | Aiming for each business to achieve profitability within six months which shows DZHIM’s approach. |
Where is DZHIM focusing on his projects now?
DZHIM is currently concentrating his efforts on the holešovice neighborhood of Prague.
What are DZHIM’s long-term goals?
Ultimately, DZHIM aims to build a stable, experience-based business rooted in community. He also has plans for additional projects, such as a Business School.