Burgerology Owner John Galatoulas. Photo Courtesy of John Galatoulas.
John Galatoulas, owner of Burgerology USA, chatted about being a restaurateur and entrepreneur in the digital age.
Norman Vincent Peale, who popularized the concept of positive thinking, once said: “Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.” This quote applies to John Galatoulas.
The digital age
On being an entrepreneur and restaurant owner in the digital age, now with streaming, technology and social media being so prevalent, Galatoulas said, “Everybody that is in this age should definitely look to jump on it because it’s an opportunity that isn’t going to fall by the wayside.”
“The digital age is going to be here for a while. The more things that you can do to get your business out there, relatively inexpensive, does not hurt,” he added.
AI on the future of the hospitality industry
On AI on the future of the hospitality and restaurant industry, Galatoulas said, “AI is a double-edged sword. I like it and I don’t like it. In the restaurant and hospitality industry, we are always going to want staff and service.”
“You come to a restaurant to escape, so if you sit at the bar, you will want to talk to your local bartender that you see once or twice a week. If you sit at a table, you are going to see a familiar face, a waiter or a manager. I think that part of the industry is always going to stay the same,” Galatoulas explained.
“AI can help with collecting data, such as for birthday notifications, so when patrons come, they can get a dessert on us for their birthday, or if AI can be used as a tool for the kitchen to help us track consistency,” he elaborated.
Galatoulas on the concept of Burgerology USA
On the idea for the concept of Burgerology USA, Galatoulas said, “We opened up the New York Burger Bar in 2017, and thank God it had tremendous success. That store, unfortunately, caught on fire, and that was the worst day of my life, but that pushed us to go look for another store.”
“We found a small corner in Rockville Centre, and we opened Burgerology, which was similar to the New York Burger Bar but also different at the same time,” he noted.
“It’s a family-owned business (it’s me, my father, my mother and my sister),” he said.
“We put our hearts and our souls into this business, and our restaurants are a reflection of us. It’s a fun place, a fun menu, and a cool atmosphere. Everything we do here we take super seriously, and we just have a really good time,” he elaborated.
“Burgerology, the brand, reflects a lot of us,” he said. “It’s a fun brand, and all the ingredients in the store are fresh.”
Aside from their Midtown Manhattan location, they have restaurants in such Long Island regions as Stony Brook, Massapequa, Rockville Centre, Huntington, and Farmingdale.
Galatoulas on the cuisine at Burgerology
“We try to accommodate everybody with our cuisine,” he said. “We pride our beef and our buns for being fresh, and the same holds true for our fries and our sauce. While it is burger and fries, it is the cleanest and the best version it can be.”
“We also have healthy options. It is also a really fun cuisine that is really relatable,” he explained.
“Burgerology is a place where your grandpa and grandma can come, but also so can your two-year-old niece and nephew. It is very, very diverse,” he added.
Galatoulas on his Greek heritage
Galatoulas opened up about his Greek roots stemming from the island of Chios. “My Greek heritage is something that I am super proud of,” he admitted. “I think all of us Greeks are always looking to flaunt it at any chance we get. I’m proud of it and I live it because it’s my life. My Greek heritage really is my life.”
“I am from the island of Chios in the Aegean Sea,” he revealed. “Both of my parents come from Chios.”
On the Greek-American community in the United States, Galatoulas said, “I really think that the Greek-American community here in the United States is stronger than it has ever been.”
“I feel like a lot of Greeks have come together, and I see that as a business owner. I see everybody helping each other out, and everybody is looking for the Greeks to excel and it’s really nice to see. It’s a great feeling to see the Greeks united,” he elaborated.
Career-defining moments
On his career-defining moments, he shared, “Every time there is a challenge, and figuring out how to fix it or how to get out of it. Always in those hard times, something positive almost always comes out, and that’s how the challenges help us. Adversity makes us stronger.”
Simply put, Galatoulas is a firm believer that adversity makes us stronger, and rightfully so.
Galatoulas on where he sees his company in the next five years
On the future of his Burgerology USA company in the next five years, he shared, “I really see us growing, and maybe one or two more stores on Long Island, and definitely out of state with our brand maturing.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if we have more eclectic items on our menu. Out of state, I see us in big boxes and event-heavy spaces. The next five years have a lot more work to go and we are looking forward to it,” he elaborated.
Entertainment hub
He also shared that Burgerology USA serves as an entertainment hub, where they host functions such as Dueling Pianos, comedy shows, and live music.
“We do a lot of events such as private buyouts, fundraisers, parade parties, bingo nights, and others,” he said.
Autism Awareness fundraising event
Speaking of benefit events, their Stony Brook location will host an “Autism Awareness” on Thursday, April 2nd, 2025. The proceeds will go to RISE Life Services, a Long Island-based organization that provides vital services and support for families and individuals living with autism.
“Sparky,” the New York Islanders mascot, will be there from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. that day, and News 12 will be there too
Advice for young and aspiring entrepreneurs and business owneres
For young and emerging entrepreneurs and small business owners, Galatoulas encouraged them to “go for it.”
“Don’t overthink because everything you think is not always going to be 100 percent right, and be willing to change, and make sure you are ready to change fast.”
“This a great business but you need to be able to adapt,” he acknowledged.
Stage of his life
On the title of the current chapter of his life, Galatoulas revealed, “Building for the Future.”
“This is one of the most pivotal chapters of my life, professionally but also personally,” he admitted.
“I am engaged, and my wedding is in a year and a half from now. Professionally, I feel I am in a good spot right now. I am learning a ton, and this chapter is more about having control over my life.”
Success
Regarding his definition of the word success, he stated, “Success means the vision that you ultimately set out, no matter what it is.”
“Success is setting out your original plan and achieving it no matter what the plan is. If you are able to achieve your original goals, then you are successful,” Galatoulas concluded.
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