In autumn 2023, Soufiane Boutliliss, a Moroccan entrepreneur, and his business partner Christophe Mathon opened Sofi Corner Café, a small neighborhood eatery with just 18 seats in the United States. The menu featured dishes from Boutliliss's childhood in Tangier, Morocco.
Within two years, the concept expanded rapidly. By late 2025, the chain had grown to 120 locations across the US, according to multiple business reports and interviews with the founders. The growth was driven by a franchise model and a focus on affordable, quick-service Moroccan-inspired cuisine.
Boutliliss, who moved to the US in his early 20s, previously worked in the food industry. He told local media that the idea was to bring authentic Moroccan flavors to a broader audience, using recipes passed down from his family.
The expansion has been noted in trade publications as one of the fastest restaurant growth stories in recent years, though exact revenue figures have not been publicly disclosed.
