Fast-Casual Greek Restaurant Becomes Fourth Healthy Concept under Rapidly Growing WOWorks Umbrella
The WOWorks family of brands announced today it has added another restaurant concept to its growing portfolio with The Simple Greek, a franchise of fast-casual Greek restaurants. WOWorks was formed in December 2020 when the parent company of Saladworks, the nation’s leading fast-casual salad brand, acquired Frutta Bowls and Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh. With addition of The Simple Greek, WOWorks will continue to drive explosive growth across all brands, which serve as healthy, nutritious and flavorful fuel so guests can pursue their passions and live their best lives.
The Simple Greek was founded in 2015 by entrepreneur and TV personality Marcus Lemonis. The brand aims to redefine the traditional Greek restaurant with an interactive concept that combines high-quality ingredients, open kitchens and Greek atmosphere in a fast-casual setting. The menu of the 24-unit concept is based upon a fresh, contemporary and healthy take on ancient Greek recipes.
“We are thrilled to welcome The Simple Greek to the WOWorks family during this exciting time of growth within our portfolio of restaurant brands,” said Kelly Roddy, CEO of WOWorks. “Guests are looking for menu choices that do more than merely sate their appetite in the moment, but serve as fuel to help nourish their mind, body and soul. With a menu centered around the Mediterranean Diet, The Simple Greek fits perfectly into a healthy, active lifestyle.”
Fully owned by Centre Lane Partners, LLC, WOWorks’ brands all share a core DNA based upon fresh, flavorful and healthy food along with a heart for hospitality served through convenient business channels, which appeals to Millennial families and Gen Z guests.
Between all of its brands, WOWorks has more than 215 locations across the United States. Saladworks alone grew by more than 40 units in 2020, entering markets such as Canada, California, Tennessee, Rhode Island, Ohio, Florida and Indiana. Non-traditional presences like ghost kitchens, food trucks, grocery retail, hospitals and universities, have proven a huge avenue of growth for the brand, with even more planned in 2021, including a massive deal with Ghost Kitchen Brands. Frutta Bowls currently has 37 locations and Garbanzo has 25, with aggressive growth expected for both brands in the coming year, including co-branded restaurants.
