1851

The restaurant industry has had a rough couple of years following the COVID-19 pandemic. And while the challenges have resulted in several brands shuttering their stores for good, some emerging franchisors are proving to be uniquely pandemic-proof. In that way, many of tomorrow’s biggest chains are likely just getting started today.&nbsp;<a href="https://thegreatgreekgrillfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=this-greek-fusion-franchise-doubled-its-nationwide-units-during-the-pandemic-2719054" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Great Greek Mediterranean Grill</a>, for example, is an emerging Greek-Mediterranean fusion restaurant that maintained its number of franchisees and actually doubled its units nationwide during the pandemic.<figure class="image"><img src="https://1851-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/story/editor/1657136873_Exterior.jpg"></figure>Images courtesy of The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill.The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill brand opened its first location in Nevada in 2011. “The founders wanted to take their Greek heritage and offer fine-dining quality food in a fast-casual environment,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobanderseneatgreek?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=this-greek-fusion-franchise-doubled-its-nationwide-units-during-the-pandemic-2719054" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Bob Andersen</a>, president of The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill. “We deliver great-tasting and delicious Mediterranean food made-to-order, with the highest quality meats, Gyros, chicken, steak, lamb and more. The vision was to provide great Mediterranean food and culture to the public, and we’ve been on the cutting edge of that mission for 11 years now.”The Mediterranean food industry has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mediterranean-middle-eastern-food-gaining-popularity-2018-6?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=this-greek-fusion-franchise-doubled-its-nationwide-units-during-the-pandemic-2719054#tam-an-israeli-chain-operated-by-the-chefs-einat-admony-and-stefan-nafziger-has-three-locations-in-new-york-and-two-more-coming-soon-1" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">grown rapidly</a> over the past decade, as Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine have become increasingly popular. This growth has primarily been driven by Mediterranean food becoming a popular option for fast-casual dining.<figure class="image"><img src="https://1851-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/story/editor/1657136884_GreatGreek_Great Greek Gyro_1600.jpg"></figure>Images courtesy of The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill.Fueled by this growing popularity, The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill franchised its concept in 2016 under&nbsp;<a href="https://unitedfranchisegroup.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=this-greek-fusion-franchise-doubled-its-nationwide-units-during-the-pandemic-2719054" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">United Franchise Group</a>. “When the first store first opened, it had great success, and after our partners came in and helped put the operational systems in place and perfect the business model, we opened a second location that saw even greater success,” said Andersen. “That is when we knew the brand would do well in markets all over the country. The food was outstanding, and the systems in place made the business easy to replicate.”In just six years, The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill has grown its footprint to include 24 total units (six company units and 18 franchised units). Currently, Andersen says the brand has 200 stores in development and is on track to open 20 to 25 restaurants by the end of 2022 and 35 to 40 by the end of 2023.&nbsp;“For operators, we have a brand that is very appealing to the consumer, whether that be lunch, dinner or mid-day service,” said Andersen. “We also appeal to a diverse clientele and many different cultures and can serve customers with strict dietary requirements. That allows us to drive a lot more sales.”&nbsp;When it comes to the business model, Andersen says the team has spent the past 11 years navigating the ups and downs of the economy and creating a recession-resistant concept, which is why the brand has continued to grow despite the ongoing challenges of the pandemic, such as&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/omicrons-spread-perpetuates-restaurant-labor-shortages-supply-chain-issues-2717672">labor shortages</a>.&nbsp;“It is a relatively easy restaurant to operate — you don’t need a big footprint or a lot of employees,” Andersen said. “Bringing the consumer offering and the business model together makes the brand highly desirable to franchisees.”So, what are some of the lessons Andersen has learned about successfully growing an emerging franchise brand?“It's no surprise that it is about business planning and executing, but it's also about people,” said Andersen. “If you want to be a world-class brand, you need a world-class team. On the franchise side, it is the same thing. Who are the people that you are getting into business with? It shouldn’t just be about restaurant experience; franchisees should have passion for our food and customer experience. The third factor is financial acumen. You need to understand what drives the brand financially. Those three factors are the key to emerging brand success.”&nbsp;Looking ahead, Andersen says the team is confident that The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill can be a 500-unit chain by the end of 2027.&nbsp;“In the end, it is all about creating value for the customer,” he said. “That is critically important, especially today when&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/menu-prices-are-rising-to-record-breaking-highs-2717175">prices are rising</a>, and people are more careful about where they spend their money. We want to make customers happy about spending money with us, and that is what allows a brand to thrive in any economic environment.”&nbsp;

This Greek Fusion Franchise Doubled Its Nationwide Units During the Pandemic

1851 Franchise

Bob Andersen, president of The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill, explains how the fusion restaurant started, the key to growing an emerging brand and why exceptional customer experiences are more important than ever.

this-greek-fusion-franchise-doubled-its-nationwide-units-during-the-pandemic

Melting Pot

Photo of interior of Melting Pot restaurant

Lexington Herald Leader: This Restaurant Chain Eyes a Return to Lexington After 10 Years

melting-pot-return-to-lexington

Keke's Breakfast Cafe

Keke's Breakfast Cafe - John and Kimberly Ehrhard - 1851 Franchise

Empowering Leadership, One Pancake at a Time: How John and Kimberly Ehrhard Are Building a Franchise Legacy with Keke’s Breakfast Cafe

john-kimberly-ehrhard-kekes-franchise

Comfort Keepers

More Than a Caregiver: Loretta Smith's Support Extends to Fellow Caregivers, Clients and the Community

more-than-a-caregiver-loretta-smiths-support-extends-to-fellow-caregivers-clients-and-the-community

Photo of Melting Pot CEO John "JC" Crawford

Melting Pot Names New CEO, Celebrates 50th Anniversary With Continued Growth and Leadership Promotions

melting-pot-franchise-mid-year-2025

Layne's Chicken Fingers

Texas Layne’s Franchisee Secures Real Estate in Austin, Set To Open Early Next Year

texas-laynes-franchisee-secures-real-estate-in-austin-set-to-open-early-next-year

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Drone Delivery Takes Flight in QSR: The Future of Franchise Operations?

drone-delivery-takes-flight-in-qsr-the-future-of-franchise-operations

Chick-fil-A Tops Customer Satisfaction Rankings for 11th Year as Challenger Brands Gain Ground

chick-fil-a-tops-customer-satisfaction-rankings-for-11th-year-as-challenger-brands-gain-ground

Technomic Releases Annual Ranking of the Top 15 Fast-Food Chains in the U.S.

technomic-releases-annual-ranking-of-the-top-15-fast-food-chains-in-the-us

Rising Jobless Claims Could Signal Challenges — and Opportunities — for Franchising

rising-jobless-claims-affect-franchising

Hardee’s Lawsuit Highlights the Risk of Going Off-Model in Franchising

hardees-franchise-lawsuit-paradigm-investment-group

Busy Bee Jumpers Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

busy-bee-jumpers-franchise-costs-fees-2025

How-petbar-Makes-Pets-and-Their-Owners-Happy-as-Part-of-the-Family-in-a-Clean-and-Fun-Environment

How petbar Makes Pets and Their Owners Happy as Part of the Family in a Clean and Fun Environment

petbar-franchise-opportunity-boutique-pet-grooming

petbar Franchisees Win the $6.89B Global Market With Complete Transparency, Self-Service and Membership Models, Creating the Happiest Place for Dogs

petbar-franchise-opportunity

Photo of Happinest Brands vans and teams standing together

Happinest Brands Closes Strong Q1 With Strategic Growth, System-Wide Enhancements

happinest-brands-q1-2025-growth

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise Built on Heart and Community

This Greek Fusion Franchise Doubled Its Nationwide Units During the Pandemic

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS