Restaurant Chain Growth Report 8/28/12

Growing Concepts
Concepts that have grown by at least 5% (if less than 50 units).

Rochester, NY-based THE DISTILLERY (founded 1980) has increased by 1 unit for The Distillery concept, from 3 to 4 (33% concept growth).  The company also operates Pellegrinos Deli Cafe (2).  Overall company increase was from 5 to 6 (20% growth).  These are family/casual concepts, open for lunch and dinner.  Per person check average is $8-$20, offering full bar and seating for about 200.  The restaurants offer both catering and banquets.  Franchise opportunities are available.  All the restaurants are located in NY.

Tacoma, WA-based FARRELLI’S PIZZA & POOL (founded 1995) has increased by 1 unit, from 5 to 6 (20% growth).  This family/casual pizza concept is open for lunch and dinner, with a $6-$12 per person check average.  Locations have full bar and seating for about 225.  Catering, online ordering, and private party services are available.  All units are in WA.

Colorado-based SIX 89 (founded 1998) has increased by 1 unit for the Phat Thai concept, from 1 to 2 (100% concept growth).  The company also operates Six 89 (1) and The Pullman Food & Drink (1).  Overall company increase was from 3 to 4 (33% growth).  Six 89 and Phat Thai restaurants are upscale, serving Thai food.  Per person price range is $15-$30, open for dinner only.  Beer and wine are served and seating is for about 80.  Pullman is family/casual, serving American cuisine.  Meal periods are lunch and dinner, with an $8-$20 per person check average.  The concept has full bar and seats about 100.  Catering and private party facilities are available at all locations.  The restaurants are all in CO.

Lakewood, CO-based TUCANOS BRAZILIAN GRILL (founded 2000) has increased by 1 unit, from 4 to 5 (25% growth) and entered into CO.  This upscale Brazilian steakhouse concept is open for lunch and dinner, with a $15-$30+ per person check average.  Full bar is served and seating is for about 300.  Catering and banquet services are available.  Trading areas are CO, ID, NM, and UT, with a Newport News, VA location to open later this year.

COFFEE BEAN & TEA LEAF of Los Angeles, CA (founded 1963) has increased by 211 units, from 750 to 961 (28% growth).  These are quick serve shops with seating for around 20.  Meal periods are breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Per person check average is around $2-$6.  Locations are 72% franchised and are in AL, AZ, CA, FL, HI, MI, NV and TX.

MILIO’S SANDWICHES of Madison, WI (founded 1989) has increased by 7 units, from 46 to 53 (15% growth).  These are take-out restaurants with limited seating.  Meal periods are lunch and dinner.  Per person check average is around $2-$6.  Catering, delivery and online ordering are available.  Locations are more than 30% franchised and are in IA, MN, NE and WI.

Emerging and Re-emerging Concepts
Concepts with 20 units or less who grew by at least 2 units.

Delaware-based PICCOLINA TOSCANA (founded 1991) has increased by 2 units, with the addition of new concepts called Bistro on the Brandywine and Toscana to Go.  Other concepts include Brandywine Prime Seafood & Chops (1), Deep Blue Bar & Grill (1), and Toscana (1).  Overall company increase was from 3 to 5 (67% growth).  The restaurants are upscale, serving mostly Italian cuisine.  Meal periods are lunch and dinner, with a $15-$30+ per person check average.  Locations have full bar and seat about 125.  Catering and banquet services are available.  The restaurants are located in DE and PA.

Milpitas, CA-based UNA MAS (founded 1991) has increased by 2 units, from 19 to 21 (11% growth).  This fast casual Mexican concept is open for lunch and dinner, with a $6-$12 per person check average.  Restaurants have full bar and seating for about 70.  Catering, delivery, online ordering and private party services are all available.  Units are franchised and trade in CA.

Boston, MA-based VIA MATTA has increased by 1 unit for the Alta Strada concept, from 1 to 2 (100% concept growth) and added 2 new concepts called Happy’s and Tico.  Other concepts include Radius (1) and Via Matta (1).  Overall company increase was from 4 to 6 (50% growth).  These are upscale concepts, serving multiple cuisine types.  Per person check average is $15-$30+ and average seating is for around 200.  All the restaurants serve full bar.  Banquet services are available.  Trading areas are CT and MA.

SUPPLE RESTAURANT GROUP of Oshkosh, WI (founded 1995) has increased by 3 units, from 6 to 9 (50% growth) adding new concepts called Red & White, Fratello’s Fieldhouse and Dockside Tavern.  These are family/casual restaurants with full bar and seating for around 70.  Meal periods are lunch and dinner.  Per person check average is around $6-$15+.  Catering is offered.  Other company concepts are Fratello’s (3), Golden Corral (2) and Melting Pot (1).  All locations are in WI.

BURGER 21 of Tampa, FL has increased by 3 units, from 2 to 5 (150% growth).  These are fast casual restaurants with seating for around 80.  Beer and wine are served.  Meal periods are lunch and dinner.  Per person check average is around $4-$10.  Franchising and online ordering are offered.  Locations are in FL with plans to expand into GA.

PITA GRILL of Hoboken, NJ (founded 1993) has increased by 2 units, from 4 to 6 (50% growth).  These are fast casual Mediterranean restaurants with seating for around 20.  Meal periods are lunch and dinner.  Catering and online ordering are offered.  Locations are in NJ and NY.

Repeat Growers
Concepts previously written about in the past 18 months.

Grapevine, TX-based COTTON PATCH CAFÉ (founded 1989) has increased by 1 unit, from 38 to 39 (3% growth).  These family/casual restaurants serve American cuisine, with a $6-$12 per person check average.  Beer and wine are served and seating is for about 100.  Catering is available.  Locations are in NM and TX.  We featured this concept on 2/8/11 (3% growth).

Louisiana-based REGINELLI’S PIZZERIA (founded 1996) has increased by 1 unit, from 8 to 9 (13% growth).  These family/casual Italian and pizza restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, with a $6-$15+ per person price range.  Beer and wine are served and seating is for about 80.  Catering and delivery are available.  All the locations are in LA.  We last wrote about this concept on 5/24/11 (14% 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.

For more information, please contact Keith Gellman at keith@foodservicereport.com.