Growing Concepts
Concepts that have grown by at least 5% (if less than 50 units).
Georgia-based VIVA MEXICO has increased by 1 unit, from 3 to 4 (33% growth). This is a family/casual concept, open for lunch and dinner, with a $6-$12 per person check average. The restaurants have full bar and seat about 80. All locations are in GA.
Baltimore, MD-based KOOPER’S TAVERN has increased by 1 unit from 3 to 4 (33% growth), with the addition of a new concept called The Manor Tavern. Other concepts are Kooper’s Tavern (1), Slainte Irish Pub & Restaurant (1), and Woody’s Rum Bar & Island Grill (1). These are family/casual restaurants, serving American cuisine. Per person check average is $8-$20, open for lunch and dinner. The concepts have full bar and seating for about 100. Catering and banquet services are available. All locations are in MD.
POPOLANO’S RESTAURANT of Chesterton, IN has increased by 1 unit, from 2 to 3 (50% growth) and expanded into LA. These are family/casual Italian and pizza restaurants with full bar and seating for around 125. Meal periods are lunch and dinner. Per person check average is around $6-$15+. Catering and banquets are offered. Locations are in IL, IN and LA.
RUCHI’S TAQUERIA based in Houston, TX (founded 1983) has increased by 1 unit, from 8 to 9 (13% growth). These are family/casual Mexican restaurants with full bar and seating for around 80. Meal periods are lunch and dinner. Per person check average is around $4-$10. All locations are in TX.
RUSTY ROOSTER of Gonzales, TX has increased by 1 unit, from 3 to 4 (33% growth). These are quick serve American restaurants with seating for around 40. Meal periods are lunch and dinner. Per person check average is around $3-$8. Catering is offered. All locations are in TX.
Emerging and Re-emerging Concepts
Concepts with 20 units or less who grew by at least 2 units.
South Carolina-based EGGS UP GRILL (founded 1987) has increased by 2 units, from 3 to 5 (67% growth). These family/casual restaurants are open for breakfast and lunch, with a $3-$8 per person price range. Seating is for about 90. Locations are franchised and trade in SC.
Nashville, TN-based DICK’S LAST RESORT (founded 1985) has increased by 2 units, from 10 to 12 (20% growth) and entered into FL and MN. This is a family/casual bar and grill concept, open for lunch and dinner. Units have seating for about 250 and offer catering and banquet services. Per person check average is $8-$20. Trading areas are CA, FL, IL, MA, MD, MN, NV, SC, TN, and TX.
Repeat Growers
Concepts previously written about in the past 18 months.
Irvine, CA-based YARD HOUSE RESTAURANT (founded 1996) has increased by 4 units, from 32 to 36 (13% growth) and entered into NY and VA. These family/casual American restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, with a $10-$30 per person price range. Units have full bar and seating for about 300. Catering, online ordering, and private party services are available. Trading areas are AZ, CA, CO, FL, HI, IL, KS, MA, NV, NY, TX, and VA. We last featured this concept on 3/29/11 (7% growth) and again on 8/30/11 (10% growth).
Boston, MA-based BOLOCO INSPIRED BURRITOS (founded 1997) has increased by 1 unit, from 17 to 18 (6% growth). This is a fast casual concept, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Per person price range is $3-$8. Units seat about 40 and offer catering and online ordering services. Trading areas are MA, NH, and VT. Franchising is available. We last wrote about this concept on 9/27/11 (6% growth).
FIRKIN GROUP OF PUBS of Markham, ON (founded 1987) has increased by 1 unit, from 42 to 43 (2% growth). These are family casual units with full bar and seating for around 125. Meal periods are lunch and dinner. Per person check average is around $10-$30. Locations are more than 90% franchised and are in BC, CA, FL, GA, MI, NV, ON, TX and VA.
FREEBIRDS WORLD BURRITO (Tavistock Restaurants) based in Emeryville, CA (founded 1987) has increased by 13 units, from 57 to 70 (23% growth). These are fast casual Mexican restaurants with seating for around 100. Beer and wine are served. Per person check average is around $3-$8. Meal periods are lunch and dinner. Catering is available. Locations are in CA, OK and TX. We reported on this concept on 6/28/11 (19% growth) and on 9/20/11 (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.
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