Mediterranean fast-casual brand The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill is accelerating its international expansion with a landmark master franchise agreement across the Caribbean, partnering with Guyana-based conglomerate The Beharry Group to develop the brand across eight markets.
The agreement will bring The Great Greek to Guyana, Antigua, the Bahamas, Barbados, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago, marking one of the brand’s most significant international franchise developments to date.
The deal gives The Beharry Group exclusive development rights for the region and strengthens The Great Greek’s ambitions to scale its Mediterranean fast-casual concept beyond the United States through experienced regional operators.
Headquartered in Guyana, The Beharry Group is one of the Caribbean’s most diversified business houses, with interests spanning commercial and merchant banking, manufacturing, insurance, stock brokerage, automotive distributorship, and quick-service restaurants. Led by chairman Suresh Beharry, the company employs more than 4,000 people and has operated for over 80 years across the Caribbean region.
The group is already a major Yum! Brands franchise operator, managing 12 KFC restaurants and 10 Pizza Hut outlets, with six additional stores currently under development. The Great Greek partnership marks the conglomerate’s first move into the fast-casual dining segment.
“I had the pleasure of trying The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill while on a trip to South Florida and immediately fell in love with the brand,” said Suresh Beharry. “After years of operating quick service concepts, we saw an opportunity to diversify our portfolio with a fast casual brand that brings something different to the Caribbean market.”
Beharry added that the growing global demand for Mediterranean cuisine made the concept particularly attractive for the Caribbean region.
“Mediterranean cuisine is increasingly popular around the world, and we believe that same demand exists across Guyana and the wider Caribbean,” he said. “The Great Greek allows us to tap into a clear gap in the market while introducing a dining experience that blends high-quality food with the speed and convenience today’s guests expect.”
The first restaurant under the agreement is expected to open later this year in Georgetown, Guyana’s capital and largest city. The Beharry Group also plans to recruit franchisees to expand the brand across the remaining Caribbean territories covered under the agreement.
For The Great Greek, the Caribbean partnership represents another major step in its rapid global franchise growth strategy. The brand, part of United Franchise Group’s Big Flavour Brands division, has been expanding aggressively across the U.S. and international markets amid rising consumer demand for healthier Mediterranean-inspired dining concepts.
According to franchise platform data, The Great Greek has more than 85 locations open and over 300 units in development globally, positioning it among the fastest-growing Mediterranean fast-casual chains in the U.S. market.
“We are thrilled to welcome Suresh Beharry as our master franchise partner for the Caribbean,” said Bob Andersen, President of The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill. “Suresh brings a deep passion for The Great Greek brand and a strong commitment to building long-term success, not only for the concept itself, but for the future franchisees who will grow alongside it.”
Andersen added that Beharry’s long-standing regional business relationships and operational expertise make the company ideally positioned to scale the Mediterranean concept across the Caribbean market.
Founded by third-generation restaurateurs Nick A. Della Penna and Trent Jones, The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill specializes in made-to-order Mediterranean cuisine including gyros, grilled meats, salads, bowls, and house-made dips prepared using traditional family recipes.
