Mediterranean chains surge 20%+ in 2025, per Yelp ranking

Mediterranean fast-casual chains saw sales jump more than 20% in 2025, Restaurant Business reported, citing Technomic data. Yelp's new ranking of the top 15 Mediterranean restaurants in the U.S., based on reviews from its elite members, puts a Scottsdale restaurant at No. 1.

The growth extended beyond major chains. Cava, Nick the Greek, and the Great Greek Mediterranean Grill each posted revenue increases above 20% in 2025, the same report showed. The Mediterranean diet's popularity, routinely cited as one of the healthiest eating patterns, has helped fuel the sector's expansion.

Yelp's methodology filtered for restaurants marked open on the platform with passing health scores as of June 23, 2026. The resulting list leans heavily on independent and regional spots, not just the national brands. That suggests the consumer shift toward Mediterranean food is broad-based, not limited to a handful of large players.