Little Greek CEO
Nick Vojnovic leads Little Greek Fresh Grill with 50 locations
Little Greek Fresh Grill has 50 locations across Florida, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio and Texas. Nick Vojnovic, President of Little Greek Fresh Grill, says about 80% of those restaurants are operated by franchise partners.
According to Vojnovic, the brand is focused on serving fresh, made-to-order Mediterranean food inspired by traditional recipes but with a modern American twist. He claims that one of the things that makes the brand so appealing is that it's a streamlined, approachable model with strong unit-level economics and a relatively low initial investment, typically between $120,000 and $350,000.
Food Quality
Vojnovic emphasizes that the food is what really sets Little Greek apart. He says that the brand puts a huge emphasis on quality ingredients, scratch-made recipes and meals prepared fresh to order. For example, the dolmades go through a detailed 17-step process that takes about two and a half hours to make.
Franchise Efforts
As reported by QSRMagazine, Little Greek is now doubling down on its franchise efforts. Vojnovic says that the brand is very focused on supporting owner-operators and giving franchisees the hands-on guidance they need to build long-term success. He also mentions that the brand is being very intentional about its growth, focusing on finding the right franchise partners and expanding into the right markets.
Leadership and Advice
Vojnovic says that he is inspired by leaders such as Bob Basham and Chuck Winship, who have great forward-thinking visions and an understanding of customers and team members. He advises other restaurant executives to get involved with different advisory groups and to get to their stores and show up for franchisees and talk to customers.
The initial investment for a Little Greek franchise is typically between $120,000 and $350,000. Here is a comparison of the initial investment and the number of locations:
| Location | Initial Investment |
|---|---|
| Florida | $120,000 - $350,000 |
| Arkansas | $120,000 - $350,000 |
| Illinois | $120,000 - $350,000 |
| Kentucky | $120,000 - $350,000 |
| Ohio | $120,000 - $350,000 |
| Texas | $120,000 - $350,000 |
Vojnovic's first job was washing dishes by hand at the Penn Monroe Bar and Grill in Monroeville, Pa, where he was paid $1.25 per hour cash plus all he could eat. His favorite menu item at Little Greek is the homemade dolmades, which are made with grape leaves hand wrapped around flavorful meat and rice, using a 17-step recipe.
