Nicholas Mitrossilis is the founder and CEO of The Yiros Shop, the Brisbane-born Greek fast-food chain redefining what quality, convenience and flavour look like in a takeaway box. What began in 2015 as a single restaurant on James Street, Fortitude Valley, has grown into one of Australia’s most recognised Greek food brands, built on fresh ingredients, genuine hospitality and food worth queuing for.

Raised in his family’s fish-and-chip shop, Nicholas learned early that great food is inseparable from hard work and authenticity. After noticing Brisbane’s lack of truly authentic Greek cuisine, and drawing on memories of meals eaten across Greece, he set out to build a Yiros that couldn’t be mistaken for a late-night kebab.

The growth since has been extraordinary, from a handful of restaurants to a rapidly expanding network across South East Queensland, with an ambitious vision to reach 150 locations nationally and beyond. Scaling through a global pandemic and refining consistency across a growing footprint have shaped Nicholas into a sharper, more deliberate operator, as comfortable discussing profit margins as the perfect char on a Yiros.

Ask Nicholas what he’s proudest of, though, and the conversation turns to people: team members who’ve worked their way up to restaurant ownership, and a culture staff want to stick around for. In 2022, he was honoured with the Young Entrepreneur Hospitality and Tourism Award in Brisbane, recognition of a leadership style built on resilience and genuine care for others.

Nicholas is also an outspoken advocate for aspiring entrepreneurs, sharing his journey openly. His message: you don’t need a perfect plan, only the willingness to learn, adapt and keep showing up. It’s a philosophy that’s turned one Brisbane yiros shop into a genuine Greek food movement.