Akali opened its doors in Maçka in July 2014 with a clear purpose from day one: to create a dining experience that is both refined and relaxed. In its early years, Akali operated as a boutique café with an all-day menu shaped by a fine-comfort philosophy.

In late 2016, after a three-month R&D process, we added burgers to the menu. The response was extraordinary — it not only confirmed our instinct, it changed our path. Akali evolved into a burger-focused concept, and a new journey began.

Akali's growth has always been intentional — anchored not just in scale, but in quality, opportunity and brand fit. After successfully opening our second location in 2018 in Etiler, a refined and central neighbourhood on the European side of İstanbul, we expanded to Karaköy and Marmaris in 2019. Karaköy stands out for its eclectic urban culture and proximity to İstanbul's historic peninsula.

In 2020 we opened at Yalıkavak Marina in Bodrum, one of the Aegean coast's most prestigious marinas. Between 2021 and 2022 we opened at Fişekhane — a seaside culture and gastronomy complex set in a restored 19th-century Ottoman armoury — and in Suadiye on İstanbul's Anatolian side, a vibrant residential neighbourhood with a strong urban fabric. In late 2024, we opened our Mall of İstanbul branch, continuing to bring Akali's "fine-comfort" philosophy to a wider audience.

In 2023, Akali opened its first branch at Galataport — the internationally recognised waterfront welcoming cruise ships from around the world. Soon after, we launched our Başakşehir Gölet location in February, in a fast-developing district known for its modern infrastructure and urban green spaces. 2024 brought new momentum with two visionary projects: Haliç Tersanesi, a major urban regeneration site that bridges history and innovation, and the İstanbul Finance Center, set to become a global hub for finance and business.

Most recently, on 1 March 2025, we proudly opened our newest branch at Mall of İstanbul — one of Turkey's largest and most-visited shopping destinations, blending entertainment, retail and everyday life. From coastal strips to cruise ports, from historic districts to modern financial centres, Akali continues to grow by deliberately choosing locations that enrich our brand's story and strengthen our bond with each community.

The name Akali carries a legacy. Inspired by our great-grandfather's nickname, it stands for the values we hold indispensable: hard work, sincerity and discipline. These timeless principles still guide how we cook, how we lead and how we serve today.

A Smarter Kitchen Philosophy

At the heart of Akali is a 490 m² central production and R&D facility. What started in 2014 in a modest 6 m² kitchen has evolved into an innovation hub powered by Electrolux Global as our technology and equipment partner.

Akali's operational processes are led by personnel trained in-house. A team member who joins at entry level has the opportunity to rise to operations management. Along the way, they learn the overall management logic of an Akali venue from kitchen, service, finance and operational perspectives. Every member of an Akali Restaurant team can fluently take on kitchen and service roles when needed, so operations never falter.

Our system is designed for efficiency and precision. Branch kitchens don't cook from scratch; finishing touches are made, components assembled and dishes served. Every ingredient arrives from the central kitchen under strict vacuum and cold-chain protocols. This approach delivers consistent quality across all branches, minimises the need for highly skilled staff at each location, and maximises speed, food safety and operational control. Our smart ovens, fermentation cabinets and prep stations are digitally connected, enabling real-time monitoring and error control. It is not only a system controlled by advanced technology — it is one that places integrity at its core.

We are proudly a single-product brand, and we attend to it with meticulous care down to the smallest detail. Our burgers are more than a meal — they are a bridge between craft and culture. Our soft, full buns are baked with our own recipe, quality flour and modern baking techniques. Patties are hand-formed every two days using a rest method, prepared with traceable meats from trusted suppliers. We are proud to serve through the quality-focused, proactive sourcing system we've built with İstanbul's most respected boutique butchers.

From pickles to sauces, everything is developed in the Akali kitchen. Aside from branded table items and the fries, every recipe is ours. Over the past 10 years, we've come to be recognised as a premium brand not only for our products but for our architecture, presentation standards and our commitment to consistency.

Every operation at Akali is led by teams we've grown ourselves. We believe talent grows from within. A team member who joins at entry level can rise to operations management over time — learning every facet of the business along the way: kitchen, service, finance and operations. Our teams cross-train across kitchen and service roles, so when needed, roles can shift, service never skips a beat and a deep understanding of the whole system is built across every department.