The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill Celebrates Strong First Half of 2026 with 21 Total Franchise Agreements, Global Expansion, and Compounding Sales Growth

Franchise agreements

During the first six months of the year, The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill signed 20 domestic franchise agreements – including four multi-unit development agreements – totaling 30 future restaurants across high-growth markets, while also securing its first-ever franchise agreement in Massachusetts. Development activity included:

Building on its international growth strategy, the brand also signed a master franchise agreement for Guyana and seven Caribbean countries, further expanding its global development pipeline.

“The Great Greek is entering its next chapter from a position of real strength. Our franchisees are seeing the benefits of a differentiated concept with compelling unit-level economics, while consumers continue to embrace fresh, authentic Mediterranean cuisine,” said Bob Andersen, President of The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill. “The restaurant industry continues to create exciting opportunities for brands that can deliver both operational excellence and a strong value proposition, and we’re confident The Great Greek is primed to lead that next wave of growth.”

Restaurant openings

The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill also opened eight new domestic restaurants during the first half of 2026, welcoming guests in Cedar City, Layton, and Hurricane, Utah; Salem, New Hampshire; Chandler, Arizona; Bolingbrook, Illinois; Epping, New Hampshire; and Las Vegas, Nevada. Internationally, the brand opened its first restaurants in Australia and Egypt while continuing its expansion in Canada with an additional location. With these openings and a strong development pipeline, The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill remains on track to surpass 100 locations open and operating by the end of 2026, marking another milestone during its 15th anniversary year.

Operational performance remained strong. Through the first half of the year, the brand saw increases in both same-store sales and same-store transactions for its franchised restaurants, reflecting continued consumer demand for its Mediterranean menu and dining experience.

The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill also continued investing in digital convenience and menu innovation. The brand launched its new mobile app, providing guests with an enhanced ordering experience and expanded loyalty capabilities. In addition, its limited-time Seared Tuna Salad generated more than 2,500 transactions, demonstrating guests’ enthusiasm for premium seasonal offerings.

Industry recognition

The brand’s strong positioning and sustained momentum earned its placement with several prestigious industry accolades. The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill was recognized as a Fast & Serious brand by Franchise Times for the second consecutive year, and it earned a spot on Fast Casual’s Top 100 Movers & Shakers list for the fourth year in a row. The brand was also named as one of the top three Emerging Restaurant Chains in the U.

S. by Datassential and appeared on Technomic’s Top 500 Chain Restaurant Report again this year, highlighting the brand’s continued rise among the nation’s leading restaurant concepts.

“Fifteen years ago, The Great Greek was built around a simple idea: serve exceptional food with genuine hospitality. Today, that vision has evolved into an internationally recognized franchise brand with remarkable momentum,” said Ray Titus. “The team’s disciplined growth strategy, commitment to operational excellence, and focus on best-in-class franchisee support continue to position The Great Greek as one of the most exciting restaurant franchise opportunities in the industry.”