Greg Flynn Owns 1,245 Restaurants and Makes $2 Billion A Year. Here’s How He Did It. Posted byScott Lucas May 28, 2019 Leave a comment on Greg Flynn Owns 1,245 Restaurants and Makes $2 Billion A Year. Here’s How He Did It. He bought his first Applebee’s 20 years ago, and since then has redefined what’s possible in the franchise industry. His philosophy: Be different, then go big.