Popular Greek Chain Surpasses 100 Restaurants and Delivers Double-Digit Same-Store Sales and Transaction Growth
San Jose, CA (Restaurant News Release) Nick the Greek, a national chain serving authentic Greek street food, maintained an upward growth trajectory through the first half of 2026, surpassing 100 restaurants and delivering an exceptional midyear sales performance. The popular brand also introduced several new menu innovations and earned prominent industry acclaim. Year-to-date, same-store sales climbed 18.2%, driven by a 14.8% increase in transactions and 3.0% average check growth, significantly outperforming restaurant industry trends compiled by leading food & beverage intelligence authority Technomic.
Propelled by strong consumer demand and operational excellence, brand performance remained consistent throughout the first half of the year, highlighted by double-digit same-store sales growth every month. Momentum peaked in March with a 25.4% jump in same-store sales and 22.5% increase in transactions. The following month saw 20.8% same-store sales growth and a 17.2% increase in transactions. Even as the restaurant industry experienced headwinds and reduced consumer spending, Nick the Greek generated substantial guest traffic, underscoring the enduring appeal of its authentic Greek street food and compelling value proposition to new and longtime guests.
“As we celebrate a cadre of exciting midyear achievements across our business, we remain focused on ending 2026 just as impressively by expanding our national footprint, enhancing our menu offerings and delivering even greater value to our guests and franchise partners,” said Nick “Baby Nick” Tsigaris, co-founder and chief marketing officer of Nick the Greek. “We are particularly proud to have surpassed 100 units in the first half of the year, which is a major accomplishment for us, and we celebrate the milestone with our dedicated franchisees who bring our family recipes and culinary innovations to more guests across the country.”
Through midyear, Nick the Greek opened eight new restaurants. The brand shows no signs of slowing down, with additional restaurants set to open this year in Reno, Nevada; Tyler, Texas; Oakland, California; and throughout Southern California. Nick the Greek’s reputation for authentic Greek street food, operational scalability and consistent consumer demand continues to attract experienced multi-unit operators and first-time franchisees seeking to grow their portfolios, fueling rapid development and positioning the brand for continued success nationwide.
Complementing an array of development activities, Nick the Greek unveiled three new culinary creations to accompany the brand’s existing menu, boost check revenue and merge consumer trends with Greek traditions: Pistachio Cream Froyo and Greek Donuts, Spanakopita and Halloumi Fries. Last year, Nick the Greek experienced a 54% increase in frozen yogurt sales following the launch of its Pistachio Cream Froyo, so it brought back the beloved menu item early this year and paired it with the debut of Pistachio Cream Greek Donuts, another Dubai chocolate spin on an authentic Greek dessert. At the end of Q1, the brand introduced Spanakopita, a traditional spinach, feta cheese and herb pastry, which fueled a March spike in same-store sales. Once again honoring the brand’s Greek roots, Halloumi, a semi-hard cheese that’s been a staple of Greek cuisine since the 1500s, was introduced to the menu in June in the form of Halloumi Fries and Halloumi Pitas served with Spicy Yogurt Avocado Ranch Dip.
Nick the Greek’s strong marketplace position was reflected in an array of high-profile industry accolades that were announced during the first half of 2026. The brand climbed to #29 on Fast Casual’s Top 100 Movers & Shakers list, a significant 46-spot jump from 2025, and ranked #302 on the Top 500 Restaurant Chains list by Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Business, up from #318 in 2025. Nick the Greek is widely recognized one of the highest-ranking Mediterranean chains in the fast casual industry, and the brand’s consistent gains through the first six months of 2026 have set the stage for a strong second half.
Since 2023, Nick the Greek has nearly doubled its store count and continues to accelerate expansion efforts throughout the nation. Today, guests can find Nick the Greek restaurants in eight states, including Arizona, California, Kansas, Missouri, Nevada, Tennessee, Texas and Utah. By thoughtfully establishing locations in high-visibility downtown metro areas, Nick the Greek has reached large audiences and steadily developed a diverse and devoted fan base. To view the full menu and nutritional information, and to find your nearest Nick the Greek location, go to NickTheGreek.com.
About Nick the Greek
Founded in 2014 by three cousins, Big Nick, Little Nick and Baby Nick Tsigaris, all named after their grandfather per Greek tradition, Nick the Greek is a family-friendly fast casual restaurant offering authentic Greek street food. Specializing in gyros and souvlaki, the menu features flavorful rotisserie meats, charbroiled skewers, zesty sauces and the freshest vegetables. The brand boasts more than 100 locations throughout California, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, Kansas, Missouri, Utah and Tennessee, with dozens more in the works across the United States. With streamlined operations, a menu focused on quality, sleek restaurant design and high consumer demand for fresh, authentic Greek flavors, Nick the Greek is primed for expansion over the next several years. For more information, visit NickTheGreek.com.
Media Contact:
Novia Baulisch
Powerhouse+Co.
novia@powerhouseandco.com