EM GROUP, which started producing steak tartar a la turca for hypermarkets in 1993, sold its products to 150 points in Istanbul in the early 2000s. Having more than 10 years of experience, EM GRUP pioneered the establishment of the sector by opening Çiğköftem, Türkiye's FIRST steak tartar a la turca concept store, in 2005 and started to become a brand in the sector. Çiğköftem, which opened its first franchise branch in Türkiye in 2007, became the FIRST brand to open a store in Europe and the FIRST brand to expand abroad in the steak tartar a la turca industry in 2009, and the number of branches in Europe began to increase rapidly in a short time.

Success in Europe led to Çiğköftem being recognized as the best franchise company by the German Design Council in 2014. Two years later, Çiğköftem won the Superior Taste Award from the Belgian International Taste Institute.

In just a few years, Çiğköftem has become a force to be reckoned with among major franchisors in Europe. Çiğköftem has become an important player in the developing vegan fast food market with its delicious, modern and traditional products. Today, Çiğköftem reaches millions of people at nearly 500 sales points with its widespread franchise network in Turkey, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Azerbaijan, TRNC, Hungary, Spain and Poland.