Get to The Gyro Shack

The Gyro Shack is opening in Coeur d’Alene on Wednesday.

The new quick-service restaurant is located in the Ironwood Square Shopping Center.

Its motto is “Real Greek, Real Fast!”

And its logo features the goddess Athena, who – according to Greek mythology – planted the first olive tree.

The menu includes 10 made-to-order gyros, such as the BLT, Spicy Bacon Avocado and veggie. Look, also, for Greek salad, baklava and hummus with pita bread.

The kids’ menu includes chicken strips as well as a pita melt that’s similar to a quesadilla.

Open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, the Gyro Shack also offers a loyalty program that allows customers to earn one point per dollar spent. Customers receive $5 toward their next purchase for signing up, plus another $5 reward for every 50 points earned.

The original gyro is $4.99. Others cost up to $9.99.

Owners D.J. and Tanya Cavanaugh are already planning to open to other locations – in Post Falls and Sandpoint – within the next two years. And they’re hoping to open more in the region after that.

The husband-and-wife team already own and operate three local Papa Murphy’s franchise locations – two in Spokane and one in Sandpoint. Plus, they manage another three more – one in Hayden Lake, another in Liberty Lake, and still another in Spokane.

They opened their first Papa Murphy’s in 1998 after moving to Coeur d’Alene from Orlando in 1997.

Now, they’re in the process of hiring and training staff members for their latest endeavor, part of a regional fast-casual restaurant chain.

The Gyro Shack was founded seven years ago in Boise by Gus Zaharioudakis, who sold the business in 2015. Today, 22 locations are in the works.

Tanya Cavanaugh, 49, and D.J. Cavanaugh, 56, became interested in the franchise after their friend bought the business.

“The first thing that caught my attention is it’s like Papa Murphy’s; everything’s done fresh in the store,” D.J. Cavanaugh said.

“And the taste is amazing,” Tanya Cavanaugh said.

Neither one has been to Greece nor has Greek ancestry. But both say they’re big fans of Greek food.

The couple also said they are excited to get in on the ground floor of the small but growing chain.

“We’re getting to help design the system,” D.J. Cavanaugh said.

Their new store is the only one besides the Gyro Shack in downtown Boise to offer indoor seating. “Most are drive-up or walk-up,” said D.J. Cavanaugh, who said he and his wife are considering that format for upcoming locations. “It just depends on what the real estate looks like when we get to that point.”

Meantime, their new Coeur d’Alene restaurant features a mix of booth and table seating and has room for about 40 people.

They like the Ironwood Square location for its visibility and accessibility, including parking.

“We’re just excited to bring another concept to Coeur d’Alene,” D.J. Cavanaugh said.

The Gyro Shack is at 212 W. Ironwood Drive, Suite B. It’s open from 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. On the web: gyroshackfranchise.com.