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Naz's Halal Food licensed for 700 S 5th St in Philadelphia

Naz's Halal Food licensed for 700 S 5th St in Philadelphia

Money Moves Philadelphia, PA local

A city food-serving license for a 30-plus-seat space, first issued to the chain on November 5, 2026.

Yesterday: Philadelphia license issued for 700 S 5th St

Overview

Updated 55 minutes ago

Naz's Halal Food now holds a City of Philadelphia business license for 700 S 5th St, a food-serving space in the 30-or-more-seats category. The record was first issued to this licensee on November 5, 2026.

The license is one approval. It does not show that the business has every permit it needs, and it does not show whether the doors are open. Naz's Halal Food started as a food truck in Queens in 2009 and listed nearly 60 locations nationwide as of January 2026.

Why it matters

A license record is the first paper trail of a 60-location chain's Philadelphia storefront, but it does not show the doors are open.

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Key Indicators

30+
Seats in license category
The license category covers food-serving spaces with 30 or more seats.
~60
Locations nationwide (Jan 2026)
Company website count as of January 19, 2026.
2009
Year founded
Started as a single food truck in Queens.

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People Involved

N
Naz
Co-founder, Naz's Halal Food
Co-founder of the chain
K
Kareem
Co-founder, Naz's Halal Food
Co-founder of the chain

Organizations Involved

NH
Naz's Halal Food
Restaurant chain
Holds a Philadelphia food-serving license for 700 S 5th St

A halal food chain that began as a Queens food truck and listed nearly 60 locations as of January 2026.
City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections
City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections
Municipal department
Issued the license record

The city agency that issues and tracks business licenses and inspections.

Timeline

2009 November 2026

5 events Latest: Yesterday
Tap a bar to jump to that date

  1. Philadelphia license issued for 700 S 5th St

    Latest Licensing

    City records show a food-serving license for a 30-plus-seat space, first issued to this licensee.

  2. Company site lists nearly 60 locations

    Company record

    Naz's Halal Food describes itself as having nearly 60 locations nationwide.

  3. Lexington, Kentucky location opens

    Expansion

    The chain opens at 685 S Limestone.

  4. Maryland location opens

    Expansion

    The chain opens at 550 Baltimore Pike.

  5. Naz's Halal Food starts as a Queens food truck

    Origin

    Cousins Naz and Kareem, former New York City public school teachers, launch the business as a single truck.

Scenarios

1

Naz's Halal Food opens at 700 S 5th St

Possible Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: Company website and city inspection records

If the chain completes build-out and passes inspection, the address would appear as an open location on nazshalal.com and in Philadelphia health inspection data. The license alone does not establish that.

2

License issued, no restaurant opens at the address

Uncertain Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: Company website and city inspection records

A license can be issued and never used. If no open listing or inspection record appears, the record stands as paperwork only.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

2009

Naz's Halal Food food-truck origin (2009)

Cousins Naz and Kareem, former New York City public school teachers, started Naz's Halal Food as a single food truck in Queens. The company's website describes it as a side project inspired by family restaurant roots.

Then

A small street-food operation in New York City.

Now

Grew into a chain of nearly 60 locations by January 2026.

Why this matters now

Explains why a single Philadelphia license is a small step in a much longer expansion.

October-December 2024

Out-of-state expansion (2024)

The chain opened locations in Maryland at 550 Baltimore Pike and in Lexington, Kentucky at 685 S Limestone.

Then

Extended the brand beyond New York.

Now

Established a pattern of adding sit-down and late-night locations outside its home market.

Why this matters now

Shows the chain's pattern of adding locations outside its home market, of which the Philadelphia license is the latest record.

Sources

(3)
+1
OpenDataPhilly Naz's Halal Food Naz's Halal Food