By Mike Cohen and Tony Medeiros
In February we visited the newest Arahova location in Kirkland. Now franchise number 13 has opened in Montreal’s Latin Quarter on St. Denis Street, at the corner of Ontario.
CEO George Kalogrias, with his sisters Tina and Bia, continue to make their dad Christos proud. He first established the brand in 1971. Not only are the number of restaurants growing but so many of their products can also be found in grocery stores in the frozen section.
Only days after its debut, the St. Denis spot was deemed a success. No advertising was required. There is so much food traffic here, notably because of the Université du Québec à Montréal just up the street.
Kalogrias told us that he and his team began looking for a property in the Latin Quarter a year ago. After checking out several storefronts, they came across this one. It was a dilapidated former pizza place that needed a lot of work. But you know what they say about “location, location, location.” It took three months to whip the locale into shape and give it that authentic Arahova look. Here, you order from the counter. There are 20 seats inside and 20 more on a seasonal terrasse. A new addition is a take-out window on the side of the building.
Kalogrias awarded the franchise to a young man who had spent the past few years working at the Arahova Decarie location. As of June 2025, this will also become the first-ever Arahova to be open 24 hours a day. Operations Director Spiro Korizis of course, helped get this franchise off the ground.
Kalogrias is currently experiencing an exciting renaissance in franchising, with a noticeable resurgence in interest surrounding its beloved Arahova brand. There’s a growing wave of enthusiasm and an ever-increasing demand for this iconic name, as loyal patrons and new entrepreneurs are drawn to its timeless appeal and strong culinary identity.
At the heart of this expansion is George, who plays a pivotal role in guiding new franchisees through every step of the journey. He takes a strategic, data-driven approach, using market research and demographic analysis to identify ideal locations that promise high visibility and strong customer engagement. But his support doesn’t stop there—George also works closely with franchise partners on financial planning, helping them secure the necessary backing and resources to build a solid foundation. Arahova is not only growing—it’s thriving, with every new franchise bringing fresh energy to a brand rooted in tradition and poised for a prosperous future.
We joined George for lunch.
Mike: I started with some crispy and delicious spanakopita and then the old-fashioned gyro plate, with sliced pork and lamb. I ordered some fries and a pita on the side. The serving was so generous that I brought the last half of it back to the office for lunch the following day.
Tony: I finished my meal with a vibrant Greek salad, bursting with color and crunch. Each bite delivered a medley of garden-fresh tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, thinly sliced onions, and plump, briny Kalamata olives, all brought together by a generous sprinkle of creamy feta cheese. The salad was delicately tossed in a bright, tangy vinaigrette that added the perfect zing to every forkful.
For the main course, I couldn’t resist the allure of a traditional, old-fashioned gyro plate. It came heaped with tender, juicy slices of pork, slow-roasted and seasoned with aromatic herbs and spices that evoked the flavors of a sun-drenched Greek taverna. Each piece was perfectly caramelized on the edges, locking in both flavor and moisture.
To complement the gyro, I ordered a pillowy-soft, lightly grilled pita—ideal for scooping up every last bit of meat and tzatziki—and a generous side of thick-cut steak fries, fried to golden perfection. Crisp on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and lightly salted, they added the ideal savory crunch to complete this hearty and delicious Mediterranean feast.
“There has been an increased demand for franchises,” shared Kalogrias. “The main reason is because they are so affordable. We also have in-house financing available.”
The Arahova menu includes a variety of appetizers, pitas and sticks, plates, items from the grill like steaks and lamb chops and the sea and larger offerings to share. It is always a treat for us to go there.
In the fall of 2025, the first Arahova franchise in Ontario will open in Brampton. “The franchisees saw us on Instagram and reached out,” Kalogrias said.
Sorel will get a franchise in 2026 and St. Hyacinthe is on the planning board as well.
As for the frozen foods, available at Maxi, Costco and other grocery stores, they have just introduced a chicken souvlaki burger. You will also be able to find chicken and pork souvlakis, perfect for barbeque season and a new feta olive dip.
Arahova St. Denis is located at 2000 Saint-Denis Street. You can call (514) 419-1877 or log on to www.arahova-souvlaki.ca