Growing Concepts
Concepts that have grown by at least 5% (if less than 50 units).
BG URBAN CAFÉ of Denver, CO (founded 1979) has increased by 1 unit, from 12 to 13 (8% growth). These are fast casual cafes with seating for around 70. Per person check average is around $4-$10. Locations are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. These units are more than 90% franchised and are in BC.
IL VICINO WOOD OVEN PIZZA based in Albuquerque, NM has increased by 1 unit, from 10 to 11 (10% growth). These are family/casual restaurants with seating for around 200. Beer and wine are served. The check average is around $8-$20 per person. Banquets, delivery and patio seating are available. Locations are in CO, KS, MO and NM.
San Francisco, CA-based PHO HOA (founded 1983) has increased by 1 unit, from 71 to 72 (1% growth) and entered into MO. This fast casual Vietnamese concept is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a $3-$8 per person price range. Units seat about 50. Online ordering is available at select locations. Trading areas are AB, BC, CA, FL, GA, MA, MN, MO, NC, ON, PA, UT, VA, WA, and Asia.
Bloomington, MN-based LEEANN CHIN INC (founded 1980) has increased by 5 units for the Leeann Chin concept, from 41 to 46 (12% concept growth) and by 3 units for the Mandarin Express concept, from 32 to 35 (9% concept growth). The company has now entered into ND. Other concepts include Chin’s Asia Fresh (3) and Pick Up Stix (69). Overall company increase was from 145 to 153 (6% company growth). These are fast casual Asian concepts, open for lunch and dinner. Per person price range is $4-$10, serving beer and wine. Average seating is for around 80. Catering and delivery options are available. Trading areas are AR, CA, FL, GA, LA, MN, MS, NC, ND, PA, TN, TX, VA, and WI.
Myrtle Beach, NC-based DIVINE DINING GROUP (founded 1989) has increased by 1 unit for the Ultimate California Pizza concept, from 5 to 6 (20% growth). Other concepts are Bovine’s Wood Fired Specialties (1), Bubba’s Fish Shack (1), Divine Fish House/Wahoo Bar (1), Divine Prime (1), Nacho Hippo (1), Pawley’s Raw Bar (1), and River City Café (7). Overall company increase was from 18 to 19 (6% growth). These are mostly family/casual concepts, serving multiple cuisine types. Meal periods are lunch and dinner, with a $10-$30 per person check average and full bar service. Average seating is for about 125. Delivery and online ordering are available at select locations. All the restaurants are located in SC.
Emerging and Re-emerging Concepts
Concepts with 20 units or less who grew by at least 2 units.
TIN DRUM ASIAN CAFÉ based in Atlanta, GA (founded 2003) has increased by 4 units, from 9 to 13 (44% growth). These are fast casual Asian restaurants with seating for around 70. Meal periods are lunch and dinner. Per person check average is around $4-$10. Delivery and patio seating are available. Locations are in AL and GA.
Boston, MA-based BOLOCO INSPIRED BURRITOS (founded 1997) has increased by 3 units, from 18 to 21 (17% growth) and entered into DC and MD. This fast casual Mexican concept is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a $3-$8 per person price range. Units seat about 40 and offer catering and online ordering services. Trading areas are DC, MA, MD, NH, and VT.
Santa Ana, CA-based JERRY’S WOOD-FIRED DOGS (founded 2003) has increased by 3 units, from 4 to 7 (75% growth) and entered into TX. This fast casual hot dog concept is open for lunch and dinner, with a $4-$10 per person price range. Beer and wine are served and seating is for about 50. Catering and online ordering services are available. Locations are franchised and trade in CA and TX.
Repeat Growers
Concepts previously written about in the past 18 months.
QDOBA MEXICAN GRILL based in Wheat Ridge, CO (subsidiary of Jack in the Box – founded 1995) has increased by 42 units, from 572 to 614 (7% growth). These are fast casual Mexican restaurants with seating for around 80. Meal periods are lunch and dinner. Per person check average is around $4-$10. Locations are more than 50% franchised and are in AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI, WV and WY. We reported on this concept on 9/6/11 when they had 4% growth.
Oklahoma City, OK-based ORANGE LEAF FROZEN YOGURT (founded 2008) has increased by 75 units, from 205 to 280 (37% growth) and entered into MD, MI, SD, VA, and Australia. This quick serve yogurt shop is open for lunch and dinner hours, with a $2-$6 per person price range. Limited seating is available. Stores are franchised and trade in AL, AR, AZ, CO, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, MS, NC, NE, NH, NY, OH, OK, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WV, and Australia. We wrote about this concept on 11/1/11 (57% growth) and on 6/5/12 (39% growth).
Missoula, MT-based HUHOT MONGOLIAN GRILL (founded 1999) has increased by 3 units, from 44 to 47 (7% growth) and entered into SC. This is a fast casual concept, serving Asian cuisine. Meal periods are lunch and dinner, with an $8-$15 per person check average. Beer and wine are served and seating is for around 150. Catering and online ordering services are available. The restaurants are franchised and trade in AR, CO, IA, IN, KS, MN, MO, MT, NC, ND, NE, OK, SC, SD, TX, WA, and WI. We last featured this concept on 11/8/11 (3% growth).
About RestaurantChains.net
The RestaurantChains.net directory was launched in 2004 and currently covers more than 4,300 multi-unit restaurant companies, supplying headquarters contact information and company attributes in more than 100 different criteria. Foodservicereport.com, a sister publication, is a database that covers more than 750,000 restaurants in the US. Subscribers can receive regular reports on new store openings or pre-defined lists based on hand-picked criteria such as cuisine, type, style, or geographic region.
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