The Great Greek has a two-pronged approach to success: a focus on unit-level performance and a healthy pace of development. That approach paid off with sales growth of 114.5 percent between 2022 and 2024.
The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill maintained it ranking this year as sales jumped 114.5 percent from 2022 to 2024, reaching $73 million. Its unit growth has been even greater, up 153.6 percent over the three-year span to end 2024 with 71 locations.
Bob Andersen, brand president, credited a two-pronged approach. “It’s a focus on the unit level and then the growth of the actual units,” Andersen said. “We continue to build a team that’s focused on really great unit-level performance and making that better. Bringing better technology and operators on while learning how to buy better. We’re seeing the benefits of that.”
Andersen said the operational support encourages franchisees to open additional locations, with some preparing to launch their eighth or ninth store.
Bob Andersen is The Great Greek's brand president.
“On the other side, we have a strategic and intentional focus on bringing in new operators who meet the principles of the brand,” Andersen said. “In addition to that, we’re working on how we create a flow of really great sites. We’re looking at the best tactics in building this system out.”
As part of building that system, Andersen said the concept also has to be careful with what it brings in, whether that be new franchisees or new technology.
“We’re very active in that process of bringing in candidates for franchising because over time, it pays dividends,” Andersen said. “We’re also getting inundated with different types of technology, and it’s important for us to understand what can be impactful, and what can be overkill. Our main focus has been utilizing tools that provide some real robust AI elements in our reputation management.”
Economic trends have put a squeeze on customer spending, resulting in a tougher environment for traffic. The response, Andersen said, has been providing value offers and rolling out limited-time offers. United Franchise Group started franchising The Great Greek in 2018.