Greek from Greece (GFG) Bakery-Café has finalized a deal to open its first franchise location. Franchisee Dimitri Gouliaberis plans to open the new location this summer at a site near Drexel University in Philadelphia. GFG Bakery-Café continues to build momentum, launching recent expansions in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida and Pennsylvania that will more than quadruple the brand’s footprint in the next year.
“I spent my adolescence in Greece, but my adulthood in America,” says Gouliberis. “I wanted to combine the fast-paced style of the East Coast with the laid-back atmosphere of Greek coffee culture. I found the perfect combination in GFG Bakery-Café. Customers on-the-go can stop by for a quick coffee and cheese pie on the run, or they can sit and relax and have a laid-back conversation like we do in Greece.”
When Dimitri’s father, Kosmas Gouliaberis, immigrated from Northern Greece to the United States in 1972, he had a desire to achieve the American Dream. He created a restaurant to be an escape from the office, a place to grab a quick bite, and a place where you could end your day laughing and eating with friends. Dimitri took over the family business to honor his father’s dedication to creating a fresh and invigorating way to dine. He found the perfect solution in a GFG Bakery-Café franchise.
“With GFG, I have the ability to quickly and economically convert my father’s restaurant to the Greek from Greece brand, which better fits the modern lifestyle,” says Gouliberis. “Their flexible design options helped me maximize the utility and beauty of the space at a low cost. I’m looking forward to opening day, to serve my community the authentic flavors of my childhood with Greek hospitality.”
GFG Bakery-Café’s exciting first quarter included a merge and rebranding of its largest competitor in Manhattan, a 31-unit expansion across Long Island and Stamford, the opening of its first Florida location in Tampa, and the announcement of the first Pennsylvania location coming to Kennett Square.
With the new Drexel location, GFG plans to usher in an era of food, fun, and parea – a group of friends who regularly gather to share their life experiences, philosophies, and ideas. At GFG Bakery-Café,
Drexel’s students will find a hideaway from the hustle of academic life, professionals will enjoy delicious and quick food, and most importantly, all will have the ability to enjoy dining and coffee the way it was meant to be enjoyed – with others.
Georgios Drosos and a group of successful businessmen with high levels of industry experience and knowledge opened the first GFG Bakery-Café in 2017 to long lines and delighted customers. Six other locations soon followed throughout Manhattan and New Jersey, and an eighth location in Tampa, Florida, opened in December 2019. This expansion will increase GFG Bakery-Café footprint to more than 40 stores, making them the dominant brand in Greek cuisine. With more deals in the pipeline, GFG Bakery-Café projects more than 100 units will either be open or in progress by the end of the year.
GFG Bakery-Café is currently seeking experienced multi-unit foodservice operators and scouting potential markets across the country and internationally. Those interested in joining GFG Bakery-Café as franchisees will get support from start to finish, from site selection expertise and sample floor plans to custom training systems and localized brand building.
