by Marisa Cioffi | Nov 30, 2021 | Blog
As the restaurant industry continues with its post-pandemic recovery, food franchises are among the booming opportunities. Prospective franchisees have taken the down time caused by COVID-19’s at-home restrictions to spend their time researching, taking advantage of favorable financial loan rates, and decreasing real estate costs. Now is a great time to consider the option to open a restaurant franchise.
There’s an Abundance of Resources
The restaurant industry fell upon some hard times with the onset of the pandemic. At its peak, the pandemic cost the industry nearly $120 billion in sales and nearly 8 million restaurant jobs. With the industry recovering, there is a plethora of top-notch food service talent available.
Potential food industry hires will be diving back into the economy. Managers, line cooks, servers, and other industry veterans who have been out of work are in the market for new jobs. The large volume of restaurant closures and modified operational models means there are more vacant venues available and up for grabs. There’s never been a better time to find a prime competitive physical location for your food franchise.
Recession Resistance
It’s common that after recessions that there is a surge of franchise sales. The franchising model provides the tried-and-true methodology of a successful brand with built-in resources. Plus, there are fewer risks involved than starting a new business from scratch.
Franchising gives owners built-in branding, a proven business model, comprehensive training, marketing materials, national advertising campaigns, networking, ongoing support, and more, while being backed by their franchisor. Additionally, franchisors are there to support and protect your business with legal issues, publicity initiatives, workforce development, and more.
Affordable Financing
The government has created legislation to provide money for programs to back businesses for relief and recovery efforts. This is a huge opportunity to build your own business and take advantage of historically low interest rates. Financing is more affordable and feasible than it’s been in a long time.
Among other programs available, loans guaranteed by the SBA have rates and fees that are comparable to non-guaranteed loans, and they feature unique benefits such as lower down payments, flexible overhead requirements, and no collateral needed.
Go With The Greek
It’s predicted that the next year to 18 months will be a great time to buy a food franchise, and The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill is one of the best food franchise opportunities. By partnering with us, you’ll be able to leverage built-in demand, a successful track record, and an experienced network. Our franchise opportunity includes a proven franchise model, expert operational process, a growing preference for Greek food, and a long-term partnership. We’re there for you every step of the way, and you can enjoy these benefits the moment you open your doors.
If you’ve ever wanted to be your own boss and take advantage of a booming industry with many benefits, consider opening a restaurant franchise with The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill.
These are just a few of the reasons why you should open a restaurant franchise with The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill. Contact us today to learn more about what it takes to get started.
by Marisa Cioffi | Nov 23, 2021 | Blog
There’s a lot to be said about the Mediterranean diet: it’s frequently touted for its health benefits, easy to follow long-term, and sustainable for the environment. At The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill, our Mediterranean restaurant franchise offers a menu that features easy, healthy choices that align with the guidelines of the famous Mediterranean diet.
As the pandemic continued to change shape last year, it’s not a surprise that COVID-19 remained the top health concern for consumers, who aimed to reduce their related risk factors. There has been a decided shift toward healthy eating as more consumers turn to healthier food available at restaurants like The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill.
So what is a Mediterranean diet? This traditional way of eating around the Mediterranean emphasizes vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, while cutting back on dairy and meat.
1. General guidelines do not equal a free for all.
People love the Mediterranean diet because it’s not as restrictive as other diets. But, just because it’s more flexible, doesn’t mean that everything is allowed. Eating plans for the diet are based on traditional eating patterns from Greece and Southern Italy.
2. Extra virgin olive oil is your main source of fat.
When some people read about the Mediterranean diet, they may think it’s a low-fat diet due its dietary restrictions surrounding meats and cheeses. However, this is not the case. There is plenty of olive oil included in the Mediterranean diet to make it palatable and help you maintain healthy weight loss.
3. Vegetables are center plate.
The Mediterranean diet involves vegetable-only dishes as main courses. Some people are surprised to find out that meat, chicken, and fish are utilized sparingly. Additionally, vegetable dishes are not intended to be merely garnishes over rice or pasta; if you need a carbohydrate, consider a bit of bread.
4. Dishes are based on simplicity.
While some dishes are complex and require expansive prep and long cooking times, most of the vegetable dishes on the Mediterranean diet are valued for having minimal prep, average cooking time, and plenty of leftovers.
5. Fish is optimal at twice a week.
Some associate the Mediterranean diet with consuming vast amounts of fish. This is a common misconception of the diet’s principles, and it can turn some people off. Fresh fish can be hard to find in some areas, so canned or other preserved fish is a great way to supplement fatty fish intake, and part of why it’s featured only rarely.
6. Inspiration comes from history, not from a lab.
The Mediterranean diet is naturally occurring. This way of eating has been developed over centuries, based on the circumstances of life and ingredient availability over time, and it’s been codified as “the Mediterranean diet” for the past 50 years.
7. Yes, you can enjoy sweets!
One way to think about consumption of sweets is to indulge only on special occasions. The Mediterranean diet was based on the lifestyle of real people, and of course they partook in sweets from time to time (think holidays, birthdays, weddings, and the like), but not on a daily basis.
The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill menu is designed to provide strong nutritional choices that can align with your dietary specifications. When you open a Mediterranean restaurant franchise with us, we’ll help you bring this delicious, yet healthy, fast-casual restaurant to your community.
These are just a few of the reasons why you should consider a Mediterranean restaurant franchise with The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill. Contact us today to learn more about what it takes to get started.
by Marisa Cioffi | Nov 17, 2021 | Blog
As you evaluate franchise opportunities and make careful decisions between which franchisor is a good fit for you, we’re sure The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill stands out from the competition. We work hard to make sure our franchise owners get the most for their money when we teach them how to open a franchise restaurant.
When you invest with The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill, you’re able to leverage our near-century of learning about customer satisfaction to become an expert on the franchise. Our comprehensive training will teach you the ins and outs of our business model, while our invaluable ongoing support contributes to your success throughout the life of your business.
Franchise Funding
It’s common for business owners to utilize financing programs to cover the cost to open a franchise restaurant. Franchise costs vary from company to company, ranging from a few thousand dollars to more than $1 million. Financing can help with acquiring an existing franchise, purchasing a franchise, financing real estate, remodeling a storefront, purchasing inventory, and purchasing equipment and other assets.
Some franchise opportunities require franchise owners to have substantial assets and/or net worth to cover franchise fees, liquid capital, and other investment costs. There are many options that can be purchased for under $100k, but many don’t include nearly as many valuable resources as The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill.
Financing a Franchise
There are a variety of financing programs available for franchise owners. If one option doesn’t work, don’t let that deter your dreams of becoming a business owner. We encourage franchise owners to shop around and explore all of their options, as they may find better funding depending on their credit and lender qualifications. Some of the options include:
- Bank loans. Some banks are more eager than others to sign franchise loans, especially to ideal candidates. Banks evaluate a substantial amount of documentation, including personal credit, business credit, and business plan to determine feasibility. Oftentimes, banks will insist on collateral and upfront costs to back your investment.
- SBA loans. While the Small Business Administration (SBA) offers attractive rates and repayment terms, they don’t make direct loans. The SBA partners with financial institutions and sets certain requirements that lenders must follow. There are several types of SBA loans available, including the SBA 7(a) loan program, which is most popular for franchise financing.
- Retirement funds. You may be able to borrow against your 401(k) or 403(b) retirement account, but it’s highly recommended to discuss matters thoroughly with a tax professional and determine the reputation of the firm you’re working with.
- Small business credit cards. If you’re looking at a low-cost franchise investment, you may consider financing with a small business credit card. Be aware, however, that these cards feature high credit limits, so you’ll need to get your franchise off the ground quickly to pay off your balance or refinance before hefty interest rates kick in.
- Equipment financing. Equipment serves as collateral, so there are options if you plan to purchase new equipment, including leasing equipment, equipment financing, and sale-leaseback arrangements.
- Alternative financing. Online lenders can offer financing to small businesses, but most require a minimum number of months in businesses and a minimum amount of annual revenue.
Most franchisors require owners to invest money to open a franchise restaurant. With The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill, you can rest assured that you’ll be starting your dream business with a loan that works for you.
These are just a few of the reasons why you should learn how to open a franchise restaurant with The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill. Contact us today to learn more about what it takes to get started.
by Marisa Cioffi | Nov 11, 2021 | Blog
The landscape of fast-casual restaurant franchises is evolving. As more consumers look for healthier dining alternatives between traditional fast food and casual-dining categories, more fast-casual franchises are adopting fresher and better-for-you menu offerings.
Experts have stated that the fast-casual category is not only here to stay, but is expected to grow. Some of the factors driving this growth include:
- Younger consumers have become more health-conscious. Younger demographics are demanding better quality and more transparency. Millennials, Gen Z, and younger generations have different eating habits than their parents and previous generations did.
- Baby Boomers are turning to healthier food as well, both amid the pandemic and as a way to add longevity to their lives.
- Food interests are becoming more general and more available. Healthy menu items with a general focus instead of flavor-specific focus capture a much wider audience and frequency.
- Variety of ingredient and protein options (including vegan, gluten-free, and other dietary restrictions) that satisfies the needs for growing market segments.
- An increase of plant-based menu alternatives, sustainability initiatives, and healthy kids’ menus. These are seeing an increase in demand and appear to be steady for the foreseeable future.
Why Franchise?
The franchise industry is booming. Franchising is becoming a way to go into business for yourself from both a career and investment perspective. While many businesses were affected by the pandemic, the virus actually fueled a growing interest in franchising.
Starting a business is an important decision. If you’re looking into changing careers or becoming part of a booming industry, working with a franchisor can be great way to have access to a vast array of support.
Often times, franchises utilize a turnkey business model that includes everything you need to get started and at the same time grow your business. Quality franchisors have built and continually modified their franchise process over the years, so they are a valuable resource for when questions or issues arise.
It’s a risk, but a safer risk, to franchise than go it alone.
Why The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill?
Fast-casual franchises are plenty, but when you work with an established franchisor like The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill, you can rest assured that the opportunity will likely result in a great return on investment.
For starters, when you franchise with us, you can take advantage of the success and familiarity of an already established brand. This branding allows our restaurant franchisees to anticipate built-in demand by immediately having customers who are already familiar with the restaurant chain ready to make their orders.
The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill has a successful track record. Our tried-and-tested operations allow you to build upon a track record of success and reach more customers. Our franchising opportunity also comes with access to an experienced network. We can pass along our decades of experience in the form of training and support to help prepare franchisees every step of the way.
When you open a fast-casual franchise with The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill, you’ll have all the tools you need to build a thriving business.
These are just a few of the reasons why you should consider a fast-casual franchise with The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill. Contact us today to learn more about what it takes to get started.
by Marisa Cioffi | Oct 27, 2021 | Blog
If you’ve ever found yourself enjoying some Greek food and wondered, “How is feta cheese made?” you’re not alone. As one of the principal ingredients in our Greek food franchise, feta holds a special place in our hearts at The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill.
Rich in beneficial nutrients and delicious flavor, feta is a great way to add a creamy, tangy flavor to any dish. Customers have come to love our hearty and memorable meals that transport them to Greece (no passport necessary).
How Is Cheese Made?
In the U.S., cheese is commonly made from cow’s milk. Milk has two proteins: casein and whey, and when bacteria digest lactose (milk’s sugar), they produce lactic acid that causes the casein to curdle (or separate) and the milk to sour.
Most modern-day cheesemakers use an enzyme called rennet (or a substitute of bacteria and yeast) to curdle milk, which leaves behind the whey. Then, the whey is removed, salt is added, and the casein curds are heated to release more whey. Curds are then cooled, pressed into molds, and left to age for a certain amount of time, depending on the desired cheese outcome.
How Is Feta Cheese Made?
Feta is traditionally made with sheep’s milk, but in some cases, it can contain other types of milk. In the European Union, feta needs to contain at least 70 percent sheep’s milk and 30 percent or less goat’s milk. In the U.S., this rule doesn’t apply, so feta can be produced from other milk.
Like most other cheeses, feta is made using the same process detailed above. Feta curds are removed from molds after 24 hours, salted, and placed in containers for the aging process. After a few days, the feta is moved to new containers containing a salty brine, where it will age for at least another two months.
We Only Use the Best Ingredients
The Great Greek is proud to use only the freshest and finest ingredients in our dishes. Part of our appeal as a franchise is our successful track record, which comes from customer loyalty and our tried-and-tested operations.
The quality of our food is what anchors our business. Our big, bold Mediterranean flavors have translated well into our Greek food franchise. Along with feta, we use olive oil, whole grains, lean proteins, fresh vegetables, and spices to transport diners to Greece via our authentic, third-generation family recipes. The Great Greek’s menu is designed to please all palates while staying true to Mediterranean traditions.
When you offer fresh, delicious food, news travels fast. Our reputation is further solidified by our great portions, prices, and staff. Invest in a Greek food franchise with our established brand, and we’ll help you see a great return on your investment.
These are just a few of the reasons why you should consider a Greek food franchise with The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill. Contact us today to learn more about what it takes to get started.
