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Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Zeroing in on its new Greek Island Grill style menu and a new logo design, four-unit Santorini Island Grill, launched a new prototype that highlights its signature menu items. The changes are aimed at giving the quick-casual food chain a more contemporary look in its attempt to leverage new capital and resources from strategic partnerships with various investments groups, to launch an expansion to thirty (30) units in eight (8) different states over the next thirty-six (36) months under its controlled-growth program.
"We are putting the 1990s behind us and we step into the 21st Century" says Takis Vartelas the Founder, President and CEO of the chain. "Our expansion is based on our food quality, exceptional taste, and speed of service, while our key food ingredients will separate us from the competition". "For many years, there was a total luck of knowledge of what Greek Island cuisine had to offer", explains the 49-year old entrepreneur who opened the first Santorini Island Grill in 1999. "Our cuisine is raised to a level seldom seen in America. We are staying with our 4000-year old Greek traditions, but refinishing the presentation and the ingredients, intensifying the flavors to Americans' tastes".
The 1,800-plus sq.ft. new-store model incorporates a large viewing open kitchen space, softer color palette and contemporary Greek Island style decorations. New units are expected to be larger than previous stores, measuring 1,800 � 2,400 square feet compared with previous designs that were 700 � 1,800 square feet. In addition to new inside painting, new chairs, tables and a wine bar were added. The company has kept its best selling menu items and added a number of popular new salads and main dishes, as well as few daily specials.
Overall, Santorini Island Grill provides a superb dining experience with fast and friendly service, clean facilities and food items above the average fast food menu. The chain specializes in oven-baked and flame broiled chicken, beef, lamp, pork items, as well as, a limited amount of seafood dishes, all marinated in special Greek Island spices and herb blends imported directly from the Greek islands. Average check is approximately $8.50 for lunch to $11.50 for dinner.
"The whole concept of our restaurant is to elevate home-style Greek Island food to new level", said Jaime Conde the chain's Executive Vice President of Sales. "We apply classic Mediterranean and Aegean techniques where the Greek food can be served in an upscale fashion and modern twist and still be true to its peasant country roots".
In addition to its corporate owned units, the chain gets inquiries all over the country about its new franchise program which was initiated earlier this year. "We will support our franchisees 100-percent", said Takis Vartelas. We want to help them multiply their relatively low investment which is under $200,000, including the franchise fee".
At Santorini Island Grill, guests view food of uncompromising freshness through its preparation loaded with zest, color, and animation. The sizzle of the grill and the accompanying delicious aromas are all combined to stimulate a delightful harmony of senses. Crisp vegetables, ripe red tomatoes, and rich green romaine lettuce are tossed for the creation of over a dozen "Four-Season" of delectable salads.
The incredible energy of the place is the first thing people notice. Unlike its competitors who serve pre-frozen Tzatziki (yogurt) sauce and falafel, Santorini Island Grill's �freshness is a big factor, and that's why the customer can taste the difference.
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