Banzo
2105 Sherman Ave, Madison, WI, 53704
restaurant
Ownership
Netalee Sheinman and Aaron Collins, a married couple, started Banzo and dreamed of bringing authentic Mediterranean falafel to Madison, WI after tiring of New York City's grind. The business was founded and is operated by Madison residents themselves.
Local Sourcing
Their menu is based on traditional Mediterranean recipes with a focus on using high-quality ingredients, but specific sourcing practices or local supplier partnerships are not publicly detailed. No evidence of significant local sourcing was found in search results.
Community Involvement
Over the years, Banzo has grown thanks to loyal customers, a supportive community, and a dedicated staff. Banzo's falafel and hummus are available in more than 10 Madison grocery stores, including Hy-Vee and all three Willy Street Co-op locations, indicating some community integration, though specific nonprofit or event sponsorships are not mentioned.
Local Workforce
Reviews consistently highlight positive customer service experiences, with owner Netalee personally calling customers to place orders and staff providing individualized suggestions. No negative labor practice reports found, and the business has maintained operations since 2012 suggesting staff stability.
Revenue Retention
The owners are Madison residents who decided to build this business locally, and they expanded to a takeout/delivery kitchen and opened their first brick-and-mortar restaurant on Madison's North Side over time. As an independent Madison-owned business with local operations, most revenue likely remains in the community.
Local Presence
Strong local signals including specific Madison location (east side, Sherman Ave), local phone number (608), named customer reviews, establishment year (2011), and 'Madison's Favorite Mediterranean' award reference. Only minor corporate elements like careers portal and standard navigation structure.