--- title: "Little Greek Sees Future in ‘Express’ Model" url: https://burnaze.com/article/98219ac2-ec78-4a7c-89c8-f6e0422cac68 source: "Franchise Times" original_url: https://www.franchisetimes.com/franchise_news/little-greek-sees-future-in-express-model/article_70ec1891-c7b8-44f4-b5cc-b6acaf45c1a7.html category: "Fast casual" industry: "Restaurants" segment: "Fast casual" published: 2026-10-29T12:16:00.000Z modified: 2026-10-31T13:15:44.924Z image: https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/franchisetimes.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/b/2c/b2c45647-bffe-43b6-81b5-c972949cee39/6ada6739b0332.image.jpg?crop=1000%2C525%2C0%2C86 --- # Little Greek Sees Future in ‘Express’ Model **TL;DR:** Little Greek Fresh Grill targets 100 units by 2031 with its Express model, which has shown promise with increased sales in non-traditional locations such as stadiums and universities. The brand has grown to over 60 stores in seven states since franchising began in 2011. *originally published in Franchise Times on 2026-10-29. [Read the original](https://www.franchisetimes.com/franchise_news/little-greek-sees-future-in-express-model/article_70ec1891-c7b8-44f4-b5cc-b6acaf45c1a7.html).* ## Story He credits this open-minded approach with guiding the next chapter of franchise growth for fast-casual Mediterranean concept Little Greek Fresh Grill, which Vojnovic leads as president and majority partner. “We can figure out a way for people to maximize sales and maximize profits,” Vojnovic said. “The name of the game for me is franchisees making money.” ## Franchise growth history Founder Sigrid Bratic started Little Greek in 2004. Franchising began in 2011 with help from Vojnovic, who joined the company that same year, when it had four units. That count has since jumped to more than 60 stores in seven states. About 80 percent of the brand’s units are franchised, by Vojnovic’s estimate. Seeking new growth opportunities, the brand started expanding with smaller Little Greek Express store formats. It opened three so far this year, with a handful in development. The conversation around Express locations goes back a bit, said Vojnovic, who spoke with the Tampa Bay Rays and Tampa Bay Lightning years ago about the necessary components to operate smaller, grab-and-go store in the pro sports stadiums. An Express site reopened at Tropicana Field, home of the MLB’s Rays, earlier this year. He also began working with Paul Samson, the CEO of regional counter-service chain Westshore Pizza, to add Little Greek Express to a couple of Westshore’s struggling restaurants. Four months after spending 14,000 to install a Little Greek Express at the Westshore restaurant in Clearwater, Florida, weekly sales increased by 43 percent. Another Little Greek Express opened in September at Wofford College in South Carolina. ## Express model expansion “That’s going to be our next big push—trying to start partnering with the big folks who do all the universities, airports and stadiums,” Vojnovic said. “It’s something different, it’s healthy, and we design a menu that can get our best items out very quickly.” Vojnovic has stuck to the basics with the Express format menu, typically serving pitas, bowls, salads and platters. With a simpler menu and an off-premises push, the company’s store footprint has shrunk in recent years from 2,000 square feet to today’s average of about 1,200 square feet. The company’s website lists an initial investment cost of $350,000 to $600,000 for a traditional Little Greek buildout and between $150,000 and $350,000 for a second-generation opening. On average, it takes six to 12 months to open a new build and between three and six months for a second-generation store opening. Little Greek Express, in comparison, takes less than two months on average to open. The Express format offers a solution to the shifting consumer behaviors favoring off-premises orders. Vojnovic estimated between 35 and 40 percent of Little Greek’s sales come through delivery and third-party apps, and 75 percent are off-premises. Leaning into those shifts is what keeps the brand fresh and successful, Vojnovic said. Playing in the nontraditional space also offers a clear path toward driving brand awareness and tackling increased white space opportunity. While most of Little Greek’s stores are in Florida—mainly Tampa and Orlando—the company has developed a following in Dallas and across the Midwest. “When you’re asking the question about market penetration, I’d love if we can do more,” Vojnovic said. “We want to really go after this university, airport, military-based crowd because you’ve got a captive market, and the operators are very strong. … That’s why our big push will be the nontraditionals to get the beachheads in these new markets, create the awareness and then let franchisees fill in the gaps.” Vojnovic and his team are targeting a larger goal of exceeding 100 units by 2031. Express units and nontraditional development should aid with the endeavor, as Vojnovic predicted up to five nontraditional store openings each year, along with up to four traditional openings. Vojnovic is making the goal feasible by preparing to hire a chief development officer to “really ramp up the growth” and attending more franchise conferences and national food service shows. “We’re going to be more aggressive on going after franchise sales, and we’re going to start hiring personnel to really take us to the next level,” Vojnovic said. “We’re still scratching the surface,” he continued. “I do think there’s a tremendous opportunity for folks once they realize the numbers. If it continues to work, I think it could be a huge opportunity for everybody.” ## Entities - unit expansion (topic) - QSR (sector) - franchise growth (topic) - Florida (location) - Franchise Times (publication) - Dallas (location) - non-traditional locations (topic) - Midwest (location) - Little Greek Fresh Grill (company) - Westshore Pizza (company) - express model (topic) - Sigrid Bratic (person) --- Originally reported by Franchise Times (https://www.franchisetimes.com/franchise_news/little-greek-sees-future-in-express-model/article_70ec1891-c7b8-44f4-b5cc-b6acaf45c1a7.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/98219ac2-ec78-4a7c-89c8-f6e0422cac68).