Zam’s opens first U.S. restaurant in Pensacola with July events

Zam’s is marking the grand opening of its first U.S. restaurant in Pensacola with a ribbon cutting July 23, followed by a community rally and a block party featuring DJ Vintage Culture. The launch also ties into Plate 4 Plate meal donations that could total up to 300,000 meals during the celebration.

Why it matters: - Zam’s U.S. debut puts Dr. Sam Prince’s restaurant concept into one of the country’s most competitive dining markets. - The Pensacola launch combines a new restaurant opening with community events and meal donations, making the rollout part celebration, part brand test. - Plate 4 Plate gives the opening a charity angle that can connect the brand’s menu purchases and event registrations to food donations.

What happened: - Zam’s will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, July 23, at 404 Brent Lane in Pensacola. - Dr. Sam Prince, founder of Zam’s and Zambrero, is traveling from Australia to attend the opening in person. - The grand opening launches a monthlong celebration for Zam’s first U.S. restaurant. - The celebration continues July 24 with the Zam Good Rally, described as a community street takeover. - Zam’s Sessions Vol. 1: Block Party is set for July 26 and will feature Brazilian DJ and producer Vintage Culture. - Doors open at 4 p.m. for the July 26 event. - Guests can get a free ticket by making any in-restaurant purchase through July 25 and receiving a registration code.

The details: - Zam’s serves customizable bowls and burritos built on an ancient grain blend or coconut rice. - The menu includes house-made sauces, fresh daily guacamole, pickled onions and cabbage. - The Fat Taco features bright pink pickled onions. - The Cali Burrito includes crispy air-fried fries. - Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served fresh daily. - For every attendee who registers for the block party, Zam’s will donate 100 meals through Plate 4 Plate. - The company says the opening celebration could generate as many as 300,000 meals for people in need. - Every regular or big burrito, bowl or Kid’s Zam Box purchase helps provide a meal through Plate 4 Plate. - Across Zambrero and Zam’s, Plate 4 Plate has delivered more than 100 million meals worldwide. - Vintage Culture is ranked No. 11 on DJ Mag’s 2025 Top 100 DJs list. - The company says the event line-up is meant to welcome Zam’s to Pensacola with live music, food and giveaways.

Between the lines: - Zam’s is leaning on a cause-based model to stand out as it enters the U.S. market. - The restaurant’s launch strategy pairs local visibility with a digital and social push, including event registration and in-restaurant purchase requirements. - Bringing in a globally recognized DJ suggests Zam’s wants the opening to feel bigger than a standard restaurant debut. - Dr. Prince’s quote frames Pensacola as a proving ground for the brand’s U.S. ambitions.

What’s next: - Zam’s will use the July events to build awareness for the Pensacola location and test customer response. - The company expects the Plate 4 Plate campaign to continue as part of regular menu purchases. - Zam’s says more details are available at More information and on its social channels.

The bottom line: - Zam’s is using its first U.S. opening to introduce its menu, its philanthropy model and its brand to Pensacola at the same time.