Growing Concepts
Concepts that have grown by at least 5% (if less than 50 units).
TX-based MAMACITA’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT has increased by 1 unit for the Mamacita’s concept, from 3 to 4 (33% concept growth). The company also operates a 1-unit concept called El Jardin. Overall company increase was from 4 to 5 (25% company growth). These are family/casual Mexican restaurant concepts, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a $6-$15+ per person check average. Locations have full bar and seating for about 300. The restaurants offer catering and private party services. All locations are in TX.
Baltimore, MD-based MAMA’S ON THE HALFSHELL has increased by 1 unit, from 2 to 3 (50% company growth), with the opening of a new concept called Pizza and Wing Factory. The company also operates Mama’s On The Halfshell (1) and Nacho Mama’s (1). Mama’s on the Half Shell is an upscale seafood restaurant, Nacho Mama’s is family/casual Mexican, and Pizza and Wing Factory is take-out only. Per person check average ranges from $6-$15+. The Mamas concepts serve full bar and seat about 50. All the restaurants are in MD.
Midvale, UT-based ARCTIC CIRCLE RESTAURANT (founded 1950) has increased by 1 unit, from 70 to 71 (1% growth). This is a quick serve concept, serving American cuisine. Meal periods are lunch and dinner. Seating is for about 50. Locations are franchised and trade in ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA, and WY.
MCKENZIE BREWHOUSE based in Glen Mills, PA (founded 2001) has increased by 1 unit, from 2 to 3 (50% 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. Banquet services are available. All locations are in PA.
OLIVE GARDEN of Orlando, FL (Darden Restaurants) has increased by 34 units, from 758 to 792 (4% growth). These are family/casual Italian restaurants with full bar and seating for around 250. Meal periods are lunch and dinner. Per person check average is around $8-$20. Catering is offered. Locations are in AB, AL, AR, AZ, BC, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MB, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV and WY.
Emerging and Re-emerging Concepts
Concepts with 20 units or less who grew by at least 2 units.
Fort Lauderdale, FL-based TOSSED (founded 1998) has increased by 3 units, from 5 to 8 (60% growth) and entered into BC, CA, and FL. This fast casual salad concept is open for lunch and dinner, with a $6-$12 per person price range. Beer and wine are served and seating is for about 50. Delivery and online ordering services are available. Units are franchised and trade in BC, CA, FL, MA, NC, NY, and TX.
Huntington Beach, CA-based LAZY DOG CAFÉ (founded 2003) has increased by 2 units, from 9 to 11 (22% growth). The restaurants are family/casual, serving American cuisine. Meal periods are lunch and dinner, with a $6-$15+ per person check average. Units have full bar and seating for about 300. Catering service is available. All locations are in CA.
JOE’S SHANGHAI of New York, NY (founded 1995) has increased by 2 units for their Joe’s Shanghai concept, from 4 to 6 (50% growth). These are family/casual Chinese restaurants with full bar and seating for around 100. Meal periods are lunch and dinner. Per person check average is around $15-$30+. There is a second concept called Joe’s Ginger. Overall company growth is from 5 to 7 (40% company growth). Locations are in NY and Japan.
TOP THAT! PIZZA of Tulsa, OK has 7 units currently open with two more scheduled. The company has expanded into TX and CO. These are quick serve restaurants with seating for around 50. Meal periods are lunch and dinner. Per person check average is around $7-$12. Catering is offered. Locations are in CO, OK and TX.
Repeat Growers
Concepts previously written about in the past 18 months.
Fort Lauderdale, FL-based SHULA’S (founded 1989) has added two new concepts: Shula’s Bar & Grill (3 units) and Shula Burger (3 units). Other company concepts include Shula’s Steakhouse (16), Shula’s 2 (2), Shula’s 347 (9), and Shula’s On The Beach (1). Overall company increase was from 31 to 34 (10% company growth), due to the closures of one Shula’s 2 unit and two Shula’s 347 units. These are mostly upscale steak and seafood concepts, open for dinner only (Shula’s 2 is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner). All the restaurants have full bar and seat about 200. Catering and banquet services are available. Trading areas are AL, AZ, FL, GA, IL, IN, LA, NC, NY, OH, PA, RI, TX, and VA. We last featured this company on 7/19/11 (3% growth).
Whitewater, WI-based TOPPERS PIZZA (founded 1991) has increased by 8 units, from 39 to 47 (21% growth) and entered into MI and TX. This is a quick serve pizzeria concept, open for lunch and dinner. The restaurants seat about 50 and offer catering, delivery and online ordering services. Units are franchised and trade in IL, IN, KY, MI, MN, NC, NE, OH, TX, and WI. We featured this concept on 4/26/11 (15% growth) and on 12/6/11 (30% growth).
Austin, TX-based CHUY’S (NASDAQ: CHUY; founded 1982) has increased by 5 units for the Chuy’s concept, from 31 to 36 (16% concept growth) and entered into FL and OK. The company also operates Hula Hut (1) and Shady Grove (1). Overall company increase was from 33 to 38 (15% company growth). The concepts are family/casual, serving Mexican cuisine. Meal periods are lunch and dinner, with an $8-$20 per person check average. The restaurants have full bar and seating for about 200. Catering is available. Trading areas are AL, FL, GA, IN, KY, OK, TN, and TX. We last featured this company on 7/19/11 (16% growth) and on 1/24/12 (14% growth).
QUAKER STEAK & LUBE based in Sharon, PA (founded 1974) has increased by 5 units, from 47 to 52 (11% growth). These are family/casual restaurants with full bar and seating for around 350. Meal periods are lunch and dinner. Per person check average is from $8-$20. Catering and banquet services are available. Locations are more than 90% franchised and are in CO, FL, IA, IL, IN, MI, NC, NY, OH, ON, PA, SC, TN, VA, WI and WV. We last reported on this concept on 2/28/12 (7% 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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