by UFG | Sep 5, 2024 | News
A May 2024 study from Brigham and Women’s Hospital determined the Mediterranean diet reduced women’s mortality rates by 23%. Researchers assessed 25,000 initially healthy American women for up to 25 years. The diverse diet led to changes in biomarkers of metabolism, inflammation, insulin resistance, and more.
The diet, first outlined in the 1960s, derives inspiration from the cuisine and lifestyle of Spain, southern Italy, and Greece. Adherents rely on a plant-based diet rich in nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. The main fat is olive oil — namely extra virgin olive oil — but includes a moderate intake of fish, poultry, dairy, eggs, and alcohol, as well as the rare consumption of meats, sweets, and processed foods.
Multiple studies cite the diet’s purported health benefits, but little research existed prior about its long-term effects on women’s bodies and reduced mortality risks. However, Brigham and Women’s Hospital’s evidence of biological changes may flesh out older findings.
“For women who want to live longer, our study says watch your diet,” says senior author Samia Mora, MD, a cardiologist and the director of the Center for Lipid Metabolomics at the Brigham and Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. “The good news is that following a Mediterranean dietary pattern could result in about one-quarter reduction in risk of death over more than 25 years with benefit for both cancer and cardiovascular mortality, the top causes of death in women (and men) in the U.S. and globally.”
Mora adds, “The health benefits of the Mediterranean diet are recognized by medical professionals, and our study offers insights into why the diet may be so beneficial. Public health policies should promote the healthful dietary attributes of the Mediterranean diet and should discourage unhealthy adaptations.”
U.S. Expansion of Great Greek Mediterranean Grill
Although not all Great Greek Mediterranean Grill offerings adhere to the Mediterranean diet, the expanding chain introduces more Americans to Greek cuisine and Mediterranean foods. According to Fast Casual, the Great Greek Mediterranean Grill closed out the 2023 fiscal year with 51 locations throughout 16 states, including first-time restaurants in Arizona, California, Georgia, Maryland, Oregon, and Utah.
“The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill continues to break records each year,” says Ray Titus, CEO of Great Greek’s parent company, United Franchise Group. “With a focus on quality ingredients and guest experience, the brand has captured the hearts of its loyal customer base.”
The following Great Greek Mediterranean Grill menu items get a pass as part of the Mediterranean diet:
- Hummus: Garbanzo beans mashed with garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice
- Tirokafteri: Creamy Greek feta with spicy roasted peppers
- Tzatziki: Greek yogurt with cucumbers, garlic, and fresh dill
- Melitzanosalata: Roasted eggplant puree with garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice
- Dolmades: Chilled grape leaves stuffed with rice and fresh herbs
- Avgolemono Soup: Greek soup consisting of rice, lemon, and chicken
- Classic Greek Salad: Consists of romaine hearts, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, Greek feta, Kalamata olives, and Greek vinaigrette
- The Great Greek Rice Bowl: Rice pilaf with shredded lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, cucumbers, marinated garbanzo beans, Kalamata olives, crumbled feta, tzatziki sauce, and topped with either salmon, shrimp, or chicken
This article was originally published by Tyler Paper.
by UFG | Sep 5, 2024 | News
WEST PALM BEACH, FL, August 22, 2024 — The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill®, a leading Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant, is reporting notable unit growth and sales increases for the first half of 2024. The brand opened seven new restaurants throughout Q1 and Q2 in Vestavia Hills, Ala.; San Diego and Danville, Calif.; Roswell, Ga.; Pleasant Grove, Utah; and Tampa and Maitland, Fla. while signing numerous franchise agreements to develop several new restaurants in the coming years. The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill opened multiple new locations in 2023 and 2024, leading to a 61% increase in systemwide sales over Q1-Q2 2023.
“Our growth in the first half of 2024 is a testament to the strength of our brand and our development strategy and positions us for even greater momentum in this second half of the year,” said Bob Andersen, President of The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill. “Our continued success is a direct reflection of our dedicated and passionate franchise owners who take our brand to new heights each day. We’re excited for the trajectory we’re on and look forward to breaking more records the remainder of this year and into 2025.”
Today, The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill has 54 locations open in 17 U.S. states and recently launched operations abroad with the opening of its first international restaurant in Toronto through Ontario Master Licensee Radius Apollo Investments, LLC. The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill’s expansion into Canada reflects the growing popularity of the Mediterranean category and strong consumer demand for quality food and service as well as kicks off an international growth strategy that will extend the brand’s global footprint into new countries. Looking ahead in 2024, The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill is projected to open 25 additional locations by year-end, including its first in states like New Mexico, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. With 270 units in its development pipeline, The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill is sustaining its growth momentum and shows no signs of slowing down, being on track to reach over 100 locations in 2025.
In addition to its franchise development success, The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill was recently named a Top 100 Mover & Shaker by Fast Casual for the second year in a row, ranking #13 among the top 75 brands – jumping a remarkable 32 spots from 2023. The brand is also being recognized as one of the fastest-growing companies of 2024 by the South Florida Business Journal, ranked by revenue growth over a three-year period.
“The Great Greek offers a completely different experience than its category counterparts in that it provides a level of quality, service, and value unmatched anywhere else. Because of this, the brand occupies a unique and defensible niche in the Mediterranean fast-casual segment and is consistently met with high customer satisfaction and loyalty,” said Ray Titus, CEO of United Franchise Group™ (UFG), of which The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill is an affiliated brand. “We just wrapped up our World Expo in Nashville where it was thrilling to meet with franchise owners to celebrate the brand’s compounding success and plan for its future.”
The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill recently recognized individual franchise owners and restaurant multi-unit outstanding performance at UFG’s 2024 World Expo, including:
- MVP Award: Scott Willis (Charleston, SC); Yara & Mike Fardous (Detroit, MI)
- President’s Award: Dany Askar (Santa Ana, CA)
- Circle of Excellence Inductees: Charleston, SC; Shelby Township, MI; Troy MI; Winter Garden, FL; Westminster, CO; Maple Grove, MN; Lake Nona, FL; Charleston, SC; The Colony, TX; Aurora, CO; Crown Point, IN
- Team Player: Scott Willis (Mount Pleasant, SC); Kevin Carmean (Orlando, FL)
- Community Service Award: Manish & Manisha Sharma (San Diego, CA)
- Local Store Marketing: Yara & Mike Fardous (Detroit, MI)
- Millionaire Club Inductees: West Bloomfield, MI; Palm Beach Gardens, FL; Orlando, FL; Florham Park, NJ; St. Johns, FL; The Colony, TX; Crown Point, IN; Aurora, CO; Charleston, SC; Lake Nona, FL; Maple Grove, MN; Westminster, CO; Winter Garden, FL; Troy, MI; Shelby Township, MI; Mount Pleasant, SC
The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill® is a part of the Big Flavor Brands™ foodservice division of United Franchise Group™ (UFG), the global leader for entrepreneurs with over 1600 franchises in more than 60 countries and 2500+ franchisees.
About The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill
The award winning Great Greek Mediterranean Grill® is a leading franchise within the Greek, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern fast-casual restaurant industry, offering a vivacious and flavorful menu inspired by foods in the Mediterranean diet. Every dish is made fresh, in-house from authentic recipes passed down generation after generation. Co-founded by two culinary trained, third-generation restauranteurs, Nick A. Della Penna and Trent Jones, The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill is an affiliated brand of United Franchise Group™, the global leader for entrepreneurs, within the United Franchise Group’s food division, Big Flavor Brands™. For more information about The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill locations, menu and catering visit www.thegreatgreekgrill.com and for franchise information, visit www.thegreatgreekfranchise.com.
About Big Flavor Brands
Big Flavor Brands™ specializes in franchises dedicated to creative eating, offering a zesty menu of fast-growing, award-winning food brands with a proven track record of success. From fast-casual restaurants with authentic third-generation recipes like The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill®, to specialty concepts like the grazing innovator and charcuterie board caterer Graze Craze®, and the super-fast, fresh Italian experience of Cannoli Kitchen Pizza®, Big Flavor Brands dominate their niches with quality, value, and tasty fare for every occasion. Big Flavor Brands represents the food division of United Franchise Group™ which is comprised of innovative concepts pushing the boundaries with an unwavering commitment to quality, variety, and the pursuit of joyful eating.
This article was originally published by International Franchise Association.
by UFG | Sep 5, 2024 | News
The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill, a fast-casual chain celebrated for its fresh and authentic ingredients, is preparing for a significant expansion across the United States.
As reported by Eat This, The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill has already achieved several major growth milestones in the first half of 2024, opening new locations in San Diego; Vestavia Hills, Ala.; Danville, Calif.; Roswell, Ga.; Pleasant Grove, Utah; and Maitland and Tampa, Fla. The chain also made its first foray into Canada with a new restaurant in Toronto.
The expansion is set to continue at a rapid pace, with 25 more locations expected to open by the end of 2024. This includes the chain’s debut in several states, such as New Mexico, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Looking ahead, The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill has ambitious plans to further expand with hundreds of new locations.
According to Eat This, there are currently 270 new stores in development. While the full timeline for these openings hasn’t been detailed, the chain anticipates surpassing the 100-restaurant mark by 2025. At present, The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill operates 54 locations across 17 states.
“Our growth in the first half of 2024 is a testament to the strength of our brand and our development strategy and positions us for even greater momentum in this second half of the year,” said Bob Andersen, president of The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill. “Our continued success is a direct reflection of our dedicated and passionate franchise owners who take our brand to new heights each day. We’re excited for the trajectory we’re on and look forward to breaking more records the remainder of this year and into 2025.”
The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill isn’t the only Mediterranean chain expanding quickly. Nick the Greek, another fast-casual chain, recently secured deals to open 13 new restaurants in Salt Lake City, Utah; Nashville, Tenn.; and San Diego, Calif. Additionally, the popular Mediterranean chain Cava is on track to open 54 to 57 new locations in 2024, with a long-term goal of reaching 1,000 restaurants by 2032.
This article was originally published by The National Herald .
by UFG | Sep 5, 2024 | News
Signarama®, the world’s leading sign and graphics franchise, announced significant achievements and record-breaking sales for its franchisees in the first half of 2024. The company’s continued success underscores its position as an industry leader and highlights the strength of its franchise model.
With robust demand for Signarama’s products and services, as well as the effectiveness of the company’s franchise support system, Bob Chapa, owner of Signarama Metro Detroit, has achieved multiple $1 million sales months in 2024, building on his impressive record set in 2023 for the most sales in a single year by a single unit franchise owner. Under the ownership of Sami Qureshi, Signarama of Philadelphia, PA has also set a new benchmark, reporting $2 million in sales in single month. Chapa’s Detroit location and Qureshi’s Philadelphia location are among 85 franchises that have qualified for Signarama’s 2024 Circle of Excellence, an accolade earned by achieving $1 million in yearly sales, marking the largest group of qualifiers in the brand’s history.
“We are incredibly proud of the outstanding achievements of our franchisees in the first half of 2024. Their record-breaking success not only reflects the hard work and dedication of our owners but also emphasizes the strength and resilience of the Signarama brand,” said A.J. Titus, President of Signarama. “As we approach our 38th anniversary as a brand, we’re excited to build on this momentum and continue providing innovative solutions that empower small businesses across the country.”
In addition to record-breaking success, Signarama is proud to announce that its West Palm Beach franchise has made the 2024 Inc. 5000. With three-year revenue growth of 87%, owners Mike and Lino DeFeo have earned a first-time spot on the prestigious ranking, solidifying their position among the fastest-growing private companies in America.
“This recognition is an incredible honor for our team at Signarama West Palm Beach,” said Lino DeFeo.
“We’re grateful to our loyal customers who have trusted us with their signage needs as well as our partners at Signarama corporate whose ongoing support enables us to grow,” added Mike DeFeo.
Signarama will continue to introduce and implement programming and strategies that aim to fuel ongoing growth for franchisees. The company recently unveiled plans for its next Masters Academy. Designed to help Signarama franchise owners amplify efficiency, drive sales, and increase profit, the on-location training provides two days of peer-to-peer learning in an immersive, collaborative atmosphere, with the next series slated to take place this fall.
“The Masters Academy is just one example of our ongoing commitment to franchisee success. We’re continually developing new programs, enhancing our corporate resources, and leveraging our industry partnerships to provide our franchisees with a competitive edge,” added Titus. “From marketing support and operational guidance to cutting-edge technology solutions and vendor relationships, we’re invested in every aspect of our franchisees’ businesses. Our goal is to empower each Signarama location to reach its full potential, and the record-breaking sales we’re seeing are a testament to the effectiveness of these efforts.”
Signarama is part of the United Franchise Group (UFG) family of affiliated brands and consultants, giving its clients access to the resources and expertise of a global network and almost four decades of experience in the franchising industry.
This article was originally published by Franchise Direct.
by UFG | Sep 5, 2024 | News
WEST PALM BEACH, FL – Bob Chapa, owner of Signarama Metro Detroit, has achieved multiple $1 million sales months in 2024. Under the ownership of Sami Qureshi, Signarama of Philadelphia, PA has also set a new benchmark, reporting $2 million in sales in single month. Chapa’s Detroit location and Qureshi’s Philadelphia location have qualified for Signarama’s 2024 Circle of Excellence, an accolade earned by achieving $1 million in yearly sales.
“We are incredibly proud of the outstanding achievements of our franchisees in the first half of 2024. Their record-breaking success reflects the hard work and dedication of our owners,” said A.J. Titus, President of Signarama.
In addition, Signarama is proud to announce that its West Palm Beach franchise has made the 2024 Inc. 5000. Owners Mike and Lino DeFeo have earned a first-time spot.
“This recognition is an incredible honor for our team at Signarama West Palm Beach,” said Lino DeFeo.
“We’re grateful to our loyal customers who have trusted us with their signage needs as well as our partners at Signarama corporate whose ongoing support,” added Mike DeFeo.
This article was originally published by Franchising.com.
by UFG | Sep 5, 2024 | News
WEST PALM BEACH, FL – The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill® recently gathered with its franchise owners at the United Franchise Group™ (UFG) 2024 World Expo in Nashville where they took part in workshops, roundtable discussions, education sessions with keynote speakers, networking opportunities, and a vendor showcase.
The company celebrated its franchise owners for their contributions and impressive achievements during the awards gala. The recognitions and recipients include:
- MVP Award: Scott Willis (Charleston, SC); Yara & Mike Fardous (Detroit, MI)
- President’s Award: Dany Askar (Santa Ana, CA)
- Circle of Excellence Inductees: Charleston, SC; Shelby Township, MI; Troy MI; Winter Garden, FL; Westminster, CO; Maple Grove, MN; Lake Nona, FL; Charleston, SC; The Colony, TX; Aurora, CO; Crown Point, IN
- Team Player: Scott Willis (Mount Pleasant, SC); Kevin Carmean (Orlando, FL)
- Community Service Award: Manish & Manisha Sharma (San Diego, CA)
- Local Store Marketing: Yara & Mike Fardous (Detroit, MI)
- Millionaire Club Inductees: West Bloomfield, MI; Palm Beach Gardens, FL; Orlando, FL; Florham Park, NJ; St. Johns, FL; The Colony, TX; Crown Point, IN; Aurora, CO; Charleston, SC; Lake Nona, FL; Maple Grove, MN; Westminster, CO; Winter Garden, FL; Troy, MI; Shelby Township, MI; Mount Pleasant, SC
The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill® is a part of United Franchise Group™ (UFG).
This article was originally published by Franchising.com.
