Growing Concepts
Concepts that have grown by at least 5% (if less than 50 units).
Taylors, SC-based FATZ (founded 1988) has increased by 1 unit, from 48 to 49 (2% growth), with the addition of a new concept called Tavern 24. These are family/casual concepts serving American cuisine. Meal periods are lunch and dinner, with a $10-$30 per person check average. The restaurants have full bar service and seating for about 250. Catering is available. Trading areas are GA, NC, SC, TN, and VA.
Fort Collins, CO-based CHEBA HUT TOASTED SUBS (founded 1998) has increased by 1 unit, from 13 to 14 (8% growth) and entered into IA. This is a fast casual sandwich concept, open for lunch and dinner, with a $3-$8 per person price range. The restaurants serve beer and wine and seat around 40. Catering is available. All locations are franchised and trade in AZ, CA, CO, IA, NM, and OR.
Tampa, FL-based COLUMBIA RESTAURANT (founded 1905) has increased by 1 unit for the Columbia Café concept, from 1 to 2 (100% concept growth). The company also operates Columbia Restaurant (6) and Cha Cha Coconuts (2). Overall company increase was from 9 to 10 (11% company growth). The restaurants are family/casual Cuban concepts, open for lunch and dinner hours. Per person check average is $10-$30. Locations serve full bar and seating for about 250. Catering and private party services are available. All the restaurants are in FL.
GUAPO’S based in Washington, DC has increased by 1 unit, from 8 to 9 (13% growth). These are family/casual Mexican restaurants with full bar and seating for around 200. Meal periods are lunch and dinner. Per person check average is around $6-$15+. Catering is available. Trading areas are DC, MD and VA.
GRANITE CITY FOOD AND BREWERY of St Louis Park, MN (NASDAQ: GCFB; founded 1999) has increased by 1 unit, from 26 to 27 (4% growth). These are family/casual restaurants with full bar and seating for around 250. Meal periods are lunch and dinner. Per person check average is around $8-$20. Locations are in IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, OH, SD and WI.
Emerging and Re-emerging Concepts
Concepts with 20 units or less who grew by at least 2 units.
Memphis, TN-based DON DON’S HOT WINGS has increased by 2 units, from 7 to 9 (29% growth). These are mostly take-out chicken wing restaurants, open for lunch and dinner. Per person price range is $3-$8. Units seat about 20. Catering and delivery options are available. Locations are individually owned and operated and are all located in TN.
California-based BURGER LOUNGE (founded 2007) has increased by 2 units, from 6 to 8 (33% growth). This is a quick serve burger concept, open for lunch and dinner, with a $6-$12 per person price range. Units serve beer and wine and have seating for about 40. All locations are in CA.
GYU-KAKU based in Gardena, CA has increased by 6 units, from 18 to 24 (38% growth). These are family/casual Japanese restaurants with full bar and seating for around 200. Meal periods are lunch and dinner. Per person check average is around $15-$30+. Banquets are offered. Locations are in BC, CA, HI, IL and NY.
Repeat Growers
Concepts previously written about in the past 18 months.
Syracuse, NY-based DINOSAUR BBQ (founded 1983) has increased by 1 unit, from 4 to 5 (25% growth) and entered into NJ. All other locations are in NY. These family/casual BBQ restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, with an $8-$20 per person check average. Units serve full bar and seat about 175. Catering, banquet and online ordering services are available. We wrote about this concept on 9/13/11 (33% growth).
Denver, CO-based SMASHBURGER (founded 2007) has increased by 12 units, from 150 to 162 (8% growth) and entered into AB, AL, NY, TN, and Kuwait. This fast casual burger concept is open for lunch and dinner, with a $6-$12 per person check average. Units serve beer and wine and seat about 70. Locations are franchised and trade in AB, AL, AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, KS, KY, LA, MI, MN, MO, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OK, TN, TX, and UT. We featured this concept on 1/25/11 (22% growth), 7/12/11 (8% growth), and 11/22/11 (50% growth).
San Francisco, CA-based SPECIALTY’S CAFE & BAKERY (founded 1988) has increased by 9 units, from 34 to 43 (26% growth). These fast casual bakery/cafes are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a $3-$8 per person price range. Units seat about 70 and offer catering, delivery, and online ordering options. Stores are located in CA, IL, and WA. We wrote about this concept on 6/28/11 (6% growth).
JAKE’S WAYBACK BURGERS based in Cheshire, CT (founded 1991) has increased by 6 units, from 43 to 49 (14% growth) and expanded into Indiana. These are quick serve burger restaurants with seating for around 60. Meal periods are lunch and dinner. Per person check average is around $2-$6. Catering is available. Locations are in CT, DE, FL, IN, MA, MD, NC, NY, OH and PA. All locations are franchised. We wrote about this concept on 2/14/12 (59% growth).
JIMMY’S EGG based in Edmond, OK (founded 1980) has increased by 2 units, from 29 to 31 (7% growth). These are family/casual breakfast and lunch restaurants with seating for around 150. Per person check average is around $6-$12. Catering is offered. Trading areas are KS, NE, OK and TX. We last reported on this concept on 10/25/11 (16% growth).
HOT HEAD BURRITOS based in Kettering, OH (founded 2007) has increased by 13 units for the Hot Head Burritos concept, from 28 to 41 (46% concept growth). This is a fast casual Mexican concept with seating for around 60. Per person check average is around $4-$10. Meal periods are lunch and dinner. The locations are more than 60% franchised. The company also owns 10 Subway locations. Overall company increase is from 38 to 51 (34% company growth). Locations are in IN, KY, OH, PA and TN. We reported on this company on 7/12/11 (111% growth) and on 3/20/12 (47% growth).
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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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