Apóla Greek Grill is a fast-casual restaurant franchise specializing in Greek cuisine.
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How Many Apóla Greek Grill Locations Are There?
Apóla Greek Grill was launched by brothers Stefano and Yianni Kosmides in 2017 in Irvine, California. They were inspired by their father, Dimitri, who had started as a fry cook in 1977 and gradually built his empire of 25 restaurants. Growing up in the Greek farming village of Thessaloniki, the boys often assisted in their father’s restaurants, gaining experience in various roles from the kitchen to the register.
Dimitri instilled in his sons the values of hard work and entrepreneurship. When he eventually retired, Stefano and Yianni decided to keep his legacy alive. Driven by their quest for authentic Greek cuisine in the U.S., they ventured with Apóla Greek Grill.
“Apóla” — Greek for “the works” — embodies the essence of the restaurant’s offerings. The restaurant prides itself on serving “the most Authentic Greek Gyro you can get without buying a plane ticket!” According to Yianni, the inspiration behind starting Apóla stemmed from their inability to find authentic chicken or pork gyros elsewhere.
Positioned for expansion, Apóla initiated its franchise opportunity in 2021, with two corporate locations currently operating in California. The franchise opportunities extend across all 50 states and internationally, reflecting the brothers’ vision to share their passion for Greek cuisine with a broader audience.
What Is The Apóla Greek Grill Business Model?
The Apóla Greek Grill business model centres around selling Greek cuisine in a fast-casual setting. All food and supplies are purchased from vendors approved by the franchise.
Key features of the Apóla Greek Grill business model include:
- Designed for Growth: Apóla Greek Grill was established with scalability in mind, featuring standardized processes and procedures to facilitate expansion.
- Experienced Team: The brand is supported by a team with over 70 years of combined experience in the restaurant industry, ensuring a solid foundation for success.
- Fast Casual Concept: Apóla Greek Grill operates within the fast-casual restaurant segment, offering varied menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner in a counter-service environment.
- Global Potential: Despite Greek cuisine’s underrepresentation in the food industry, Apóla believes its concept will resonate worldwide, tapping into the popularity of international cuisine favourites.
- Consumer Demand: Apóla is positioned to satisfy consumer cravings for Greek food, offering a menu that aligns with the preferences of a diverse customer base.
- Support and Training: The brand provides comprehensive training and ongoing support to franchisees, ensuring they have the necessary skills and knowledge for success.
When selecting owners, the franchise refers to the process as “matching” because it says that both parties need to get to know one another over time to decide if they’re a good fit. Apóla uses a seven-step matching process.
“The Apóla business model is a fun and exciting opportunity, but it’s not the right fit for everyone, nor is everyone the right for Apóla,” the brand writes.
How Much Can Apóla Greek Grill Owners Make?
Earnings are not publicly available.
How Much Does It Cost to Open an Apóla Greek Grill Franchise?
The total investment to open Apóla Greek Grill ranges from $98,000 to $549,000. The franchise also charges a 6% “ongoing licensing fee” plus a 1-1.5% marketing and technology fee based on gross sales revenues.
What Is the Franchise Fee for Apóla Greek Grill?
The franchise fee is:
- $37,500 for one unit
- $56,000 for two units
- $75,000 for three units, $15,000 for each additional unit