Nick the Greek, a Northern California-based chain serving up authentic Greek street food, kicked off a unique partnership with Bay Area icon Jerry Rice to deliver a signature Nick the Greek ‘Rice’ bowl. Inspired by his former team colors, and featuring flavorful ingredients like creamy feta cheese, tangy mustard sauce and spicy Sriracha, the Jerry Rice Bowl will be available at all Nick the Greek locations starting Nov. 10. Following its rapid expansion to 60 restaurants in seven states across the country, the partnership marks Nick the Greek’s first celebrity collaboration, paying homage to the brand’s Bay Area roots and reinforcing its reputation as a San Francisco-area success story.
“We’ve expanded geographically in the last couple of years, but our hearts will always remain in the Bay Area, where my cousins and I founded Nick the Greek – and became indoctrinated as football fans,” says Nick “Baby Nick” Tsigaris, Co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Nick the Greek. “Our first collaboration is extra meaningful because it’s with Jerry Rice – someone who greatly impacted our lives, and we look forward to treating our guests to this delicious football-inspired menu item and helping to make a difference in the lives of young people in underserved communities.”
Widely regarded as the greatest wide receiver in football history, Jerry Rice’s legacy extends beyond the gridiron, driven by a deep and longstanding commitment to giving back and helping others. In celebration of their partnership, Nick the Greek and Rice are jointly supporting The 49ers Foundation by donating $1 from every Jerry Rice Bowl sold from Nov. 10 to Dec. 31. The organization helps to build confidence and inspire collaboration among at-risk Bay Area youth – empowering them, educating them, and providing them with the tools needed to run through any obstacles in their way.
“On the field and off, I’ve been fortunate to have amazing teammates throughout my career, and I am extremely proud to team up with Nick the Greek to positively impact the next generation through my involvement with The 49ers Foundation,” adds Rice. “I will always cherish my time playing in San Francisco, and it’s an honor to support a brand with a Bay Area origin story by lending my name and full support to a tasty menu item I’m confident fans will love throughout the San Francisco area and in every Nick the Greek restaurant across the country.”
The Jerry Rice Bowl features Nick the Greek’s signature vertical rotisserie-roasted chicken gyro meat, crisp lettuce, onions, juicy tomatoes and cucumbers, built on a bed of basmati rice. The bowl is garnished with feta, mustard sauce and Sriracha – honoring Rice’s team colors of 20 years. The Jerry Rice Bowl will be available at all Nick the Greek locations nationwide for $12.50.
Nick the Greek satisfies the desire for healthy, flavorful and authentic Greek cuisine in a fast casual environment without compromising quality. In meeting the high demand for Greek street food, Nick the Greek has carved out a space for itself in the ultra-competitive fast casual space. By strategically establishing locations in high-visibility downtown metro areas, Nick the Greek has reached large audiences, steadily developing a diverse and devoted fan base. With dozens of restaurants in development, Nick the Greek is primed to continue expansion. The brand has identified key markets throughout the Western U.S. and is seeking franchise partners interested in expanding their portfolios with a progressive fast casual brand on the rise.
