---
title: "Apóla Greek Grill Expands with New Riverside Location"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/d91538bd-91a3-46ac-8798-0310aa053436
source: "Franchising.com"
original_url: https://www.franchising.com/news/20220622_apla_greek_grill_expands_with_new_riverside_location.html
category: "Casual dining"
industry: "Restaurants"
segment: "Casual dining"
topics: ["Development & multi-unit"]
published: 2022-06-22T12:00:00.000Z
modified: 2026-11-01T01:05:40.727Z
image: https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1507679799987-c73779587ccf?w=1600&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop
---

# Apóla Greek Grill Expands with New Riverside Location

**TL;DR:** Apóla Greek Grill has opened its first franchise location in Riverside, California. The fast-casual brand is expanding with a new location led by franchisee Majid Zahedi.

*originally published in Franchising.com on 2022-06-22. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/news/20220622_apla_greek_grill_expands_with_new_riverside_location.html).*

## Story

The fast-casual brand has gained a loyal following for serving the ‘Most Authentic Greek Gyro you can get without buying a plane ticket!’ Instead of booking a flight to Athens, SoCal locals are getting a third option within driving distance to get their Greek street food fix when Apóla opens in Riverside this fall.

“This is the first of many huge steps that Apóla Greek Grill will take as we share the delicious recipes that have been passed down through our family over generations,” said Founder Yianni Kosmides. “We’re thrilled to open our first franchise location.”

Taking the reins of the first Apóla franchise will be Majid Zahedi, a SoCal restaurateur for more than 30 years. Zahedi is the former owner of a national multi-unit franchise with locations throughout San Diego County, a French culinary start-up in Orange County and a raw juice bar in Los Angeles County.

“I love this concept because the recipes and flavors are so familiar to my culture,” Zahedi said. “Apóla is known for the family vibe it shares with its guests and I’m excited to offer that same feeling and quality Greek fare to the residents and visitors of Riverside!”

Apóla’s fans flock in for the Authentic Greek Gyro - with pork, Roma tomatoes, red onions, tzatziki and a handful of French fries wrapped in a warm pita. But if pork or meat isn’t your thing, the restaurant will customize to make the gyro a little less authentic but still very Greek with chicken, beef and lamb or its own meatless option!

Kosmides points out that Apóla offers something for everyone with a variety of Greek cuisine. Guests can try different proteins like chicken, beef and lamb - all halal certified - as well as grilled shrimp skewers, grilled chicken souvlaki and their own meatless gyro that can be combined with a variety of spreads - from the original Tzatziki to Skorthalia Garlic Spread to its unique Spicy Hummus. Traditional staples like dolmas, falafel, avgolemono soup and Greek salad are also on the menu.

## Entities

- Franchising.com (publication)
- Restaurants (sector)
- unit expansion (topic)
- franchise location (topic)
- Riverside (location)
- greek cuisine (topic)

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Originally reported by Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/news/20220622_apla_greek_grill_expands_with_new_riverside_location.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/d91538bd-91a3-46ac-8798-0310aa053436).