Mediterranean fast-casual brand marks 15th anniversary with international growth push and new franchise development milestones
The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill has strengthened its international presence with new restaurant openings across Canada, Australia and Egypt, marking a significant milestone in the brand’s global growth strategy as it celebrates its 15th anniversary. The expansion comes amid rising global demand for Mediterranean cuisine and follows the company’s recent efforts to broaden its international franchise footprint.
Backed by the global franchise infrastructure of United Franchise Group (UFG), The Great Greek is leveraging existing operational support networks while introducing its Mediterranean dining concept to new international markets. The latest openings also follow the brand’s recently announced master franchise agreement covering Guyana and seven additional Caribbean countries, further strengthening its international development pipeline.
“Our international growth is a testament to the strength of our franchise model and the caliber of operators we’re attracting,” said Bob Andersen, President of The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill.
“As our footprint expands to new countries, we remain committed to partnering with best-in-class franchisees who have a deep understanding of their markets and share our values in maintaining the authenticity and level of service that our brand is known for. That combination is what’s fuelling our momentum and setting the foundation for long-term global success.”
Egypt Debut Marks Middle East Entry
One of the most significant developments is the brand’s entry into the Middle East through a new restaurant in Cairo. Franchise owner Metry Habashy has opened The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill at Regent’s High Street, bringing the concept to Egypt for the first time. Habashy is already an established franchisee within the system, operating a successful location in Old Bridge, New Jersey, which reportedly achieved a weekly opening sales record.
The Cairo outlet incorporates several local adaptations, including Arabic-language integration, market-specific beverage offerings and extended operating hours until midnight to align with local dining preferences. The restaurant also prepares fresh handmade pita bread in-house, reinforcing the brand’s emphasis on authenticity.
Australian Expansion Begins in Queensland
The brand has also officially entered the Australian market with a flagship restaurant in Fortitude Valley, Queensland. The location has been launched by franchise owners Chirayushkumar Patel and Surjit Salwan, who have ambitious plans to develop at least 50 restaurants across the region.
The soft opening attracted around 100 guests, including representatives from the mayor’s office, highlighting strong community engagement and early market interest. The Australian launch represents a major step in the company’s long-term Asia-Pacific growth strategy.
Continued Momentum in Canada
In Canada, multi-unit franchise owners Amrinder Cheema, Gurbinder Singh and Poonam Goyal have expanded the brand’s presence with the opening of a new restaurant in Calgary, Alberta. The opening marks The Great Greek’s third location in Alberta and reflects the ownership group’s rapid execution capabilities and confidence in the market.
Canada has become an increasingly important growth market for the brand since it opened its first international restaurant in Toronto in 2024. The company has since secured development rights across Western Canada as part of its broader international expansion plans.
Franchise Model Driving International Growth
According to Andersen, both new and existing operators are playing a crucial role in accelerating the brand’s growth trajectory.
“What’s especially exciting is seeing established and new franchisees alike lean into the brand in a meaningful way, whether it’s reinvesting after strong performance or scaling quickly with multi-unit development,” he said. “From record-setting openings in the U.S. to rapid expansion abroad, it reinforces that our concept resonates across cultures while still allowing for thoughtful localization where it matters most.”
The international expansion follows several years of strong performance for The Great Greek. The company opened its first international location in Canada in 2024 and has since reported significant systemwide sales growth, while continuing to build a substantial franchise development pipeline across North America and overseas markets. The brand has also secured master licenses for key territories including Western Canada and Egypt as it works toward surpassing 100 operational restaurants globally.
Founded in Henderson, Nevada, in 2011 and later expanded under the leadership of restaurateurs Nick Della Penna and Trent Jones, The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill specializes in authentic Mediterranean cuisine served in a fast-casual format. The brand operates as part of UFG’s Big Flavour Brands portfolio and continues to position itself as one of the fastest-growing Mediterranean restaurant franchises globally.
