2025 performance positions the rapidly growing Mediterranean fast casual for a strong year in 2026 – both in franchise development and sales

WEST PALM BEACH, FL (March 30, 2026) –  The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill®, one of the fastest growing restaurant chains in the U.S., announced today its year-over-year performance in 2025 – a year that marked significant growth across the system and at the unit level. The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill opened 20 new restaurants in 2025, expanding its nationwide presence in key states like Florida, California, and Texas as well as entering new markets including New Mexico and Wisconsin. The brand also reported just under $100 million in systemwide sales last year, with franchise sales seeing a remarkable 41% increase year-over-year.

On the heels of this success, The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill is accelerating its growth momentum in 2026 and is well-positioned to have a standout year during its 15th anniversary. The brand is projecting over 20 openings by the end of the year, including in global markets like Egypt, Australia, and Canada. Notably, nearly half of The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill’s unit growth is being fueled by existing franchise owners, signifying operator confidence in the brand and its future.

“In 2025 we continued to set the foundation and this year we’re on track to surpass 100 locations and $150 million in systemwide sales – milestones that reflect the strength of our franchisees and the discipline behind our growth,” said Bob Andersen, President of The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill. “The Great Greek is designed to scale, with a model that delivers strong performance while protecting the quality and hospitality that define our guest experience. We know exactly what makes this brand successful, and we’re executing on that vision every day.”

The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill attributes its compounding success to its dedicated franchise owners and innovation. The brand has been leveraging data-centric AI to better understand its guests and how restaurants are performing, turning insights into smarter decisions across marketing, operations, and menu execution. The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill experienced gains in off-premises dining in 2025 – including a 63% increase in catering sales – as well as with value-focused promotions like its Greek Feast family meals and $14.99 gyro combo. The launch of new limited time offers like its Greek Watermelon Salad and Loaded Feta Fries generated over 24,000 orders; the Watermelon Salad alone brought in 5,000 new guests.

The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill is a better-for-you, premium fast casual concept delivering fresh, cooked-to-order Mediterranean cuisine with the friendliness and attention to detail of full-service hospitality. Its menu champions authentic Mediterranean recipes featuring high-quality ingredients, including freshly prepared proteins, house-made sauces and dips, and vibrant vegetables, allowing guests to enjoy flavorful meals without compromise.

The award-winning concept is part of Big Flavor Brands™, the foodservice division of United Franchise Group™ (UFG). It is continually recognized as an industry- and category-leading brand, being named as one of the top 10 fastest growing chains of 2025 by Technomic and recently appearing on Franchise Times’ Fast & Serious list of the smartest-growing franchise brands for the second year in a row. 

“The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill represents exactly the kind of franchise opportunity today’s entrepreneurs are seeking – a differentiated, high-demand concept backed by a disciplined and scalable franchise model. Our focus has always been on equipping franchisees with the systems, support, and operational efficiencies needed to succeed, and The Great Greek delivers on that promise,” said Ray Titus, Chairman and CEO of UFG. “With strong unit-level performance, growing multi-unit ownership, and expanding domestic and international demand, we see tremendous runway ahead for franchisees to grow alongside a brand that is defining the future of the Mediterranean fast casual category.”

To learn more about franchise opportunities with The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill, visit www.thegreatgreekfranchise.com. 

About The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill 

The award-winning Great Greek Mediterranean Grill® is a leading franchise within the Greek, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern fast-casual restaurant industry, offering a vivacious and flavorful menu inspired by foods in the Mediterranean diet. Every dish is made fresh, in-house from authentic recipes passed down generation after generation. Co-founded by two culinary trained, third-generation restauranteurs, Nick A. Della Penna and Trent Jones, The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill is an affiliated brand of United Franchise Group™, a globally recognized leader in franchising, within the United Franchise Group’s food division, Big Flavor Brands™.  For more information about The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill locations, menu and catering visit www.thegreatgreekgrill.com and for franchise information, visit www.thegreatgreekfranchise.com. 

About Big Flavor Brands

Big Flavor Brands™ specializes in franchises dedicated to creative eating, offering a zesty menu of fast-growing, award-winning food brands with a proven track record of success. From fast-casual restaurants with authentic third-generation recipes like The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill®, to specialty concepts like the grazing innovator and charcuterie board caterer Graze Craze®, Big Flavor Brands dominate their niches with quality, value, and tasty fare for every occasion. Big Flavor Brands represents the food division of United Franchise Group™, which is comprised of innovative concepts pushing the boundaries with an unwavering commitment to quality, variety, and the pursuit of joyful eating.

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