Franchise Focus

Green Market Cafe launching franchising amid pandemic

Although the pandemic isn't yet behind us, two restaurateurs are moving ahead with franchise plans for their up-and-coming concept, Green Market Cafe.

Founded by Andrew Koumi in Tampa Bay and backed by Nick Vojnovic, president and majority partner of Little Greek Franchise Development, Green Market Cafe is offering franchise deals to expand throughout the U.S. Provided

June 11, 2020 by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Although the pandemic isn't yet behind us, two restaurateurs are moving ahead with franchise plans for their up-and-coming concept, Green Market Cafe. Founded by Andrew Koumi in Tampa Bay and backed by Nick Vojnovic, president and majority partner of Little Greek Franchise Development, the three-location brand specializing in healthy salads, soups, bowls and sandwiches, is offering franchise deals to expand throughout the U.S.

Start-up costs are low; it takes about $100,000 including a $30,000 fee to get the ball rolling, Vojnovic told FastCasual.

"Operating quick-serve restaurants, such as Green Market Cafe, offers numerous advantages over full-service concepts, including less capital-intensive investments and more off-premise generated revenue, which is the future of the industry," Koumi said, pointing out that the concept has continued to thrive during the pandemic by pivoting its focus on online ordering, family-size meals, curbside pickup and off-premise sales via delivery apps.

Potential franchisees will also benefit from lower-priced commercial leases and highly-motivated landlords, as a silver lining emerging from the pandemic, said Koumi, who opened the first cafe in 2010 after struggling to find healthy, fresh and affordable food. His food philosophy is composed of three simple concepts: sustainability, balanced nutrition and always-fresh — never frozen or processed — ingredients.

In addition to building the three brick-and-mortar locations, Koumi has managed to build a catering operation and recently expanded into the retail world, making Green Market Cafe dressings available at Sprouts Farmers Markets and other various grocers.

"With GMC's healthy menu and Andrew's vision, I think it is a concept with great potential," said Vojnovic, whose company includes 41 Little Greek locations in Florida, Texas, Arkansas, Kentucky, Ohio and Illinois. "That's what convinced me I wanted to be part of its expansion."

Little Greek landed on this year's list of Fast Casual Top 100 Movers & Shakers.

About Cherryh Cansler

Cherryh Cansler is VP of Events for Networld Media Group and publisher of FastCasual.com. She has been covering the restaurant industry since 2012. Her byline has appeared in Forbes, The Kansas City Star and American Fitness magazine, among many others.

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