People researching how to open a Greek restaurant franchise usually want to understand what the process actually involves. What happens after you submit an inquiry? Who will you meet along the way? How is a location selected, what support does the franchisor provide, and how long does it take to reach opening day?
This guide walks through The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill franchise process from the first conversation through site selection, training, build-out, and grand opening. It also explains what the franchise system provides, where the owner takes the lead, and what prospective franchisees should realistically expect at each stage.
Why a Franchise Rather Than Opening Independently
Opening an independent Greek restaurant and investing in a Great Greek franchise may lead to the same goal, but the process of getting there is very different.
An independent restaurant starts with a blank page. The owner must develop the concept, refine the recipes, create the brand, source vendors, design the kitchen, choose the technology, build a training program, and establish a marketing presence. That freedom can be appealing, but it also means every system must be developed and tested while the business is being built.
With a franchise, much of that foundation is already in place. The owner is still responsible for leading the business, building the team, serving the local market, and maintaining brand standards. The difference is that they are working within an established restaurant model rather than creating one as they go. The Great Greek provides the brand, menu, operating systems, supplier relationships, training, and opening support needed to move from planning to launch.
| What has to be created | Going independent | Great Greek franchise |
|---|---|---|
| Brand identity and awareness | Develop the concept and build recognition | Established brand and positioning |
| Supplier network and pricing | Source vendors and negotiate independently | Approved supplier network |
| Kitchen design and equipment | Design and source the restaurant independently | Defined standards and restaurant package |
| Staff training program | Create training and manuals from scratch | Structured pre-opening training |
| Operational systems and technology | Research and connect separate systems | Approved POS and back-office platforms |
| Marketing infrastructure | Build the strategy and local presence | Brand resources plus an NRO program |
| Time to open | Varies by concept, site, and permitting | Typically 6 to 12 months |
| Operating playbook | Develop processes through experience | Established standards and support |
Neither route is right for everyone. The choice comes down to how much you want to build on your own, how much structure you value, and how quickly you want to move from an idea to an operating restaurant. For many investors, franchising is the more direct path.
The 10 Steps to Opening a Great Greek Franchise
Every opening timeline is different. Site selection, permitting, construction, and local approvals create the most variation. Qualified candidates often complete the initial evaluation within 30 to 60 days, while a standard single-unit franchise typically takes 6 to 12 months from inquiry to opening.
1
Submit Your Inquiry
Complete the Get Started form or call 561-578-2708. A franchise development representative will follow up, typically the same day, to schedule an introductory call.
2
Introductory Call & Qualification
This 30- to 45-minute conversation covers your background, market interest, available capital, goals, and timeline. It is also your first chance to ask questions and assess the fit.
3
Review the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD)
If both sides continue, you will receive a copy of the FDD for you to review. Examine the investment information, obligations, agreements, system data, and franchisee lists with your own advisors.
4
Franchisee Validation
Speak directly with current franchisees about their evaluation, opening, support, and day-to-day experience. These conversations give you insight into what it takes to run the business.
5
Discovery Day
Visit the West Palm Beach headquarters or attend virtually and meet the leadership and support teams, tour a location, and explore operations, marketing, and growth plans. Discovery Day usually takes place near the end of the evaluation process.
6
Sign the Franchise Agreement
After mutual approval, you will sign the Franchise Agreement and pay the applicable fee described in the current FDD. The agreement defines your territory, term, rights, obligations, and responsibilities.
7
Site Selection & Lease Negotiation
The real estate team helps evaluate locations using trade-area data, demographics, visibility, access, co-tenancy, and other criteria. After approval, the team can support the lease review and negotiation process.
8
Design, Permitting & Build-Out
The project then moves into design, permitting, and construction. The program supports kitchen and layout planning, site review, cost estimating, and coordination with your contractor.
9
Pre-Opening Training
The four- to five-week program at the Florida headquarters covers operations, kitchen execution, staffing, customer experience, financial reporting, technology, and local marketing. Covered travel and lodging expenses are detailed in the current FDD.
10
Grand Opening & Ongoing Support
The NRO program begins before opening and continues through launch. A field representative provides on-site support while local marketing builds awareness. Ongoing support includes field guidance, benchmarking, technology, suppliers, and brand marketing.
What the Great Greek System Provides
The value of the franchise system becomes clearer when you look at the work required before opening, during launch, and after the first rush. The Great Greek provides support at each stage.
Before You Open
- Site selection support: the real estate team evaluates locations using trade-area data, demographics, co-tenancy, visibility, access, and the existing brand footprint. Every site requires formal approval before the lease is finalized.
- Lease review and negotiation support: the team brings experience from across the system to help franchisees evaluate lease terms and work through negotiations with their own advisors.
- Design and project management: support includes kitchen and layout design, construction coordination, and preliminary cost estimates for approved sites.
- The Restaurant Package: a coordinated package of equipment, fixtures, signage, POS, and required technology simplifies sourcing and supports brand consistency. It also includes back-office tools for accounting, bookkeeping, food-cost management, and payroll.
- Pre-opening training: the four- to five-week corporate program covers operations, kitchen execution, customer experience, staffing, financial systems, technology, and local marketing. Covered expenses are detailed in the current FDD.
Around Your Opening
- New Restaurant Opening marketing: the program begins about four weeks before opening and continues for at least eight weeks, using digital advertising, social media, and community outreach to introduce your new Greek restaurant.
- Opening-week field support: a Great Greek team member works on site during launch to help the franchisee and staff put their training into practice.
- Team training resources: recruiting, onboarding, and training protocols help franchisees prepare employees and reinforce standards after opening.
Ongoing, for the Life of Your Franchise
- Field business consultant support: a dedicated support contact helps franchisees review operations, compare performance, and identify opportunities for improvement.
- Brand marketing: system contributions support digital advertising, creative development, and broader campaigns that would be difficult for one restaurant to produce alone.
- Technology platforms: franchisees use approved POS, inventory, labor-scheduling, and back-office systems connected to the larger operating platform.
- Approved supplier network: the brand maintains relationships for food, packaging, equipment, and supplies to support consistency across locations.
- United Franchise Group infrastructure: The Great Greek is backed by more than 40 years of franchise experience, six brands, approximately 1,600 locations, and a presence in more than 60 countries. Franchisees benefit from established legal, operational, technology, marketing, and development resources.
Who’s an Ideal Candidate for a Great Greek Franchise?
Prior restaurant experience isn’t required, but owners play a key role in the success of the franchise. The brand looks for people who can build a team, follow a system, connect with the community, and manage the restaurant as a business rather than create a job for themselves.
Franchisees come from many fields, including business ownership, corporate management, sales, real estate, healthcare, and military service. What matters most is the ability to lead people, follow brand standards, make sound decisions, and keep the guest experience consistent.
For a closer look at the ownership profile, visit the Ideal Candidate page or read testimonials from current franchise owners.
Starting With One Location — or Planning for More
The same core process applies to single-unit and multi-unit candidates. For investors planning two or more restaurants, a Multi-Unit Development Agreement can define the development area, opening schedule, and terms for additional locations. The current FDD contains the complete structure and applicable fees for multi-unit development.
For a multi-unit owner, the first restaurant becomes the foundation for the locations that follow. The operating routines, management bench, vendor relationships, and local market knowledge developed at unit one can make later openings more familiar and more efficient. Visit the Multi-Unit Opportunities page to learn more about the development path.
Frequently Asked Questions About Opening a Great Greek Franchise
How do I open a Great Greek franchise?
Submit an inquiry through the Get Started page or call 561-578-2708. The process then moves through an introductory call, FDD review, validation, Discovery Day, mutual approval, site selection, build-out, training, and opening support.
How long does it take to open a Great Greek?
A standard single-unit franchise typically takes 6 to 12 months from inquiry to opening. Site selection, lease negotiations, permitting, and construction have the greatest effect on timing.
Do I need restaurant experience to open a Great Greek?
No. The training program covers operations, kitchen systems, staffing, technology, financial reporting, and marketing. Leadership, business judgment, and the ability to manage a team are more important.
What support does The Great Greek provide to new franchisees?
Support includes site evaluation, lease and design guidance, project management, training, technology, and pre-opening marketing. Franchisees also receive opening support, field consulting, brand marketing, approved suppliers, and access to United Franchise Group’s broader shared services resources.
What is a Discovery Day?
Discovery Day is an in-person visit to the West Palm Beach headquarters, or candidates can attend virtually. Candidates meet the leadership and support teams, tour a location, and review operations, marketing, and growth plans before both sides make a final decision.
How do I know if my target market has available territory?
Territory availability is reviewed during the introductory call. The team can explain what is open or committed in your preferred city or region before you move deeper into the process.
Ready to Start the Process?
A conversation with the franchise development team can help you confirm territory availability, understand the process and investment structure, and decide whether The Great Greek belongs on your short list.
Visit the Get Started page, call 561-578-2708, or review the full investment information on the Turnkey Investment page.