All that talk about the health benefits of a Mediterranean diet apparently is having an impact in the fast-casual restaurant sector. While sales growth cooled overall last year, those serving Mediterranean food saw growth as high as 41%.
“There is rarely a public assumption that’s both subjective and objective, factual and presumptive, but here’s one – Greek food is healthy,” Victoria Levi Woolley, director of communications and marketing at Saison Hospitality, told The Food Institute.
“Sure, you can get 60 grams of lean protein at Chipotle and even McDonalds offers salads, but the idea these Mediterranean concepts sell is that (they’re) a wellness retreat for the belly.”
In its rating of the top 500 restaurant chains, Technomic found fast-casual grew 6% overall in 2025 to nearly $77 billion, while limited-service was up 3.1% and quick-serve saw just a 2.4% hike – despite a 5.1% increase in the number of units in the sector, Restaurant Business reported.
The standout was Mediterranean cuisine. The report noted Cava saw a 22% increase, pushing sales past the $1 billion mark. Taziki’s Mediterranean Café sales grew 10% while the Lebanese shawarma chain Naya posted an impressive 41% increase, nearly tying Cava’s per unit sales of $2.93 million, Restaurant Business reported.
Hakki Akdeniz, the owner of upscale restaurants Mira Mediterranean & Hookah Lounge and Essex Mediterranean Steakhouse, among others, feels Mediterranean-style food represents “clean luxury” and will continue to dominate in the months ahead.
“Mediterranean dishes are becoming increasingly popular,” Akdeniz said. “Customers no longer want to choose between flavor and feeling good; they want both.
“Bold flavors, grilled meats, olive oil, fresh veggies, and sauces that feel rich without being heavy are all features of Mediterranean meals that today’s fast-food consumers love. It’s also becoming the new upscale category.”
Market Intelo reported in 2024, Greek cuisine led the Mediterranean fast-casual sector, capturing 29% of revenue.
“Instead of getting overly creative, [Greek restaurants] focus on what makes them what they are: delicious food that’s a healthier option in the fast-casual space,” Woolley said. “In 2026, Greek is chic.”
The Food Institute Podcast
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