MEET OUR TEAM
WE Prepare Memorable Greek Meals, Daily!
We grew up preparing and enjoying great food in a place with an equally great ambiance. And although we cannot invite everybody to our family’s traditional Sunday dinner, we still want our customers to have the same experience. As such, our team prepares memorable Greek meals—traditional and delicious—in our restaurant.
What makes each meal at The Great Greek memorable is the effort we put into preparing each one. After 30 years in the industry, our customers keep coming back to our restaurant because we serve freshly made food every day.
We also make sure to use only the freshest ingredients, therefore ensuring consistently high-quality Greek food. As a result, our restaurant exceeds the expectations of everyone who dines with us.
Bob Andersen
Brand President
Bob is highly regarded as a restaurant industry leader with a successful track record in growing emerging restaurant brands. He has developed a unique and diverse perspective in all aspects of the restaurant business. His experience includes C-level and Senior executive positions with a large international restaurant company to launching a start-up restaurant brand. Bob has also owned, developed and operated multi-unit restaurants as a multi-brand franchisee, area developer and Area Representative.
Having successfully led teams in QSR, fast casual and full-service restaurant brands to achieving remarkable results in operational performance, brand experience, franchising and sales growth. Each brand has achieved exceptional growth results and recognition from the national press, including Nation’s Restaurant News “Hot Concepts” and Fast Casual Magazines “Top Concepts to Watch” awards. Bob credits the driving force behind his team’s success is their focus and commitment to delivering on three simple principals; Engage Great People, Nurture a Great Brand Culture, and Select Great Restaurant Sites.
Nick Della Penna
Co-Founder of The Great Greek Grill
Mr. Della Penna is an accomplished leader and visionary in the restaurant and hospitality industry for over 35 years. Nick has an undying passion for The Great Greek and his enthusiasm for the brand is contagious. His attention to detail and commitment to providing his guests an amazing dining experience is the foundation to the success of The Great Greek. Mr. Della Penna has been in the hospitality industry since 1984 beginning his career in Houston, Texas and has been a successful leader at every stop during his journey. He has worked for over 20 years in Las Vegas at several hotel/casinos culminating as the Vice President of Food and Beverage for MGM Resorts International.
TRENT JONES
Co-Founder of The Great Greek Grill
Trent has been a highly successful award-winning entrepreneur in the restaurant and hospitality industry. Leading the growth of The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill from its original location in Henderson, NV to a global emerging franchise and restaurant brand in four short years. The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill has received multiple food service awards in the Las Vegas, Nevada, market, including four straight years as “The Best of Las Vegas.” Today, Trent’s restaurant operation for The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill has grown 400% from its original restaurant. In addition, the franchise business has grown to over 30 locations with 280 restaurants in development.
Solange Hudo
Director of Real Estate
Meet Solange Hudo, our brilliant Director of Real Estate! With her unique expertise, Solange identifies the perfect sites to drive high sales and revenue growth. Her incredible negotiating skills help secure favorable contract terms and ensure our restaurants open on time with maximum impact. With over seven years of experience in Real Estate Management, Solange is a natural leader who inspires her team to work at their highest level. She’s passionate about building relationships with our franchisees, brokers, and direct reports, a key ingredient for long-term success.
Solange holds a Real Estate License in NV and attended both the University of Puerto Rico and DeVry University. With her on board, we’re excited for the continued growth and success of The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill!
Nanette Salva
Business Advisor/Lead Trainer
Nan has a rich background working with restaurant and retail management teams and their team members with developing their leadership, management and business potential. Nan started her culinary career at The Ritz Carlton in Manalapan, FL. She has also worked for such companies as Panera Bread, Sonic Drive-In, Hurricane Grill & Wings, TooJay’s Gourmet Deli, Bloomingdale’s, and Pier One Imports.
Nan’s dynamic approach simplifies focal points ensuring that targets in service, operation execution, food safety, and quality control are met. For more than 28 years, Nan has been delivering coaching on how to effectively operate a restaurant, provide first line support to Franchise owners, develop corporate training programs, processes, and system roll outs along with training restaurants.
David Esposito
Business Advisor – The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill.
David Esposito is a highly experienced business advisor with a proven track record of success across various industries. His background in the restaurant industry and his experience as a law enforcement officer have prepared him well for his role as a business advisor for The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill. David began his career in the restaurant industry, quickly rising through the ranks, overseeing operations, and managing multimillion-dollar companies. Through his work in this field, he developed a deep understanding of the complexities of running a successful business, including budgeting, training, and marketing. His proficiency in these areas and his ability to think strategically make him an asset to The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill.
Marc Manopla
Business Advisor
Marc was born in Germany on an Army base in Karlsruhe and raised in Staten Island, NY. Eventually, he moved to South Florida in 2003 and has lived in Palm Beach County since. Marc spent his career to date with Covelli Enterprises, overseeing numerous franchise locations of Panera Bread for 18 years. In that time most of his proudest moments have been helping to raise money for various philanthropic endeavors that contributed to those in need. As an avid Cross-fitter, Marc also has a passion for overall health. He loves to help others with their diet as well as helping in the gym.
Hemal Parag
Project Manager
Hemal Parag is a seasoned project management expert with over 21 years of experience in the construction industry. From field operations to office management, Hemal has consistently delivered successful projects across various sectors, including commercial, industrial, multi-unit, retail, restaurant, government, and residential. His track record speaks for itself: projects completed on time and within budget.
Restaurateurs with Decades of Industry Experience
We are third generation restaurateurs who have more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry. So, when we say that the business of delicious food is in our blood, we mean it.
In fact, our favorite childhood memories include the traditional Sunday dinners with our extended family. Everyone would gather at our grandparents’ home to exchange animated stories and bask in the sound of hearty laughter while enjoying great company and even better food.
As we grew older, we started hosting the traditional family gatherings. And, as the saying goes, some things never change—the family never runs out of delightful stories to share during the weekly feast of fresh, homemade food.
Given our background, then, it is safe to say that delicious food is what we know, what we do, and what we love. We are so passionate about it, that we turned it into a living.
The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill wants to make each meal a memorable one. We succeed at creating memories because of the highly knowledgeable and experienced team that prepares high-quality Greek cuisine and sets a pleasant atmosphere in our restaurant.
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