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The basics:

• Craveworthy Brands accelerates Gregorys Coffee franchising expansion
• Open house events scheduled across DC, NJ, Conn.
• Gregorys Coffee founder Gregory Zamfotis remains president after 2025 acquisition
• Expansion targets high-demand specialty coffee markets nationwide

After acquiring Gregorys Coffee last summer, Craveworthy Brands is accelerating its franchising push to drive nationwide expansion of the specialty coffee chain.

As part of that effort, the restaurant holding company is planning a series of franchise open house events across key East Coast markets. The schedule features the following stops:

• April 7: Washington, D.C. 443 7th St. NW
• April 8: Old Bridge 2070 Route 9
• April 9: Paramus 393 Route 17
• April 9: Darien, Conn. (108 Heights Road

Registration is required. All events will run from 4–7 p.m.

According to Craveworthy, the events will allow entrepreneurs to taste-test craft coffee, explore the café experience firsthand and connect with the leadership team. The company held its first open house earlier this year in Old Bridge.

Founded in 2006 by Holmdel native Gregory Zamfotis, the brand is known for coffees, teas, scratch-made pastries and unique seasonal items. It is also all-in on healthier options, like clean energy drinks and vegan breakfast sandwiches.

Time to grow

After scaling Gregorys to more than 50 cafés across the U.S., Zamfotis decided the time was right to grow alongside franchisees.

When Craveworthy purchased Gregorys in August 2025, it said Zamfotis would remain with the company as president. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

As an investor and managing partner for the New York City-based brand, Craveworthy said it aims to leverage Gregorys’ strong equity and operational foundation to set the stage for the brand’s next chapter of growth.

Growing brands

A multibrand restaurant franchisor and full-stack hospitality platform, Craveworthy seeks to help emerging and legacy chains grow through brand revitalization, operational support, franchising and marketing.

Its portfolio of fast-casual and quick-service brands includes: 

• Genghis Grill
• BD’s Mongolian Grill
• Wing It On!
• Fresh Brothers Pizza
• Lucky Cat Poke Co.
• Krafted Smashburgers
• Shaquille O’Neal’s Big Chicken

Grinding along

Since launching Gregorys franchise program earlier this year, Craveworthy said it has received “strong early interest from experienced multi-unit entrepreneurs, qualified owner-operators and strategic investors.”

Samuel Stanovich is senior vice president of franchise leadership for Craveworthy. Stanovich commented, “As we franchise Gregorys, we’re looking to partner with entrepreneurs who see real opportunity in a brand fueled by consistency, culture and community.”

He went on to say that the upcoming open house events will offer a “chance to connect face-to-face, explore the coffee experience together and share how Gregorys has become a scalable concept in America’s favorite category.”

As a Gregorys franchisee, business owners will have access to expertise across real estate, training, operations, supply chain, culinary, marketing and technology, according to Craveworthy.

The initial franchise push focuses on high-density, high-opportunity markets where specialty coffee is part of the daily routine, such as urban neighborhoods, commuter hubs, college towns and lifestyle centers. Target markets include the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, Mountain West and select West Coast regions.