Growing Concepts
Concepts that have grown by at least 5% (if less than 50 units).
Covington, LA-based SMOOTHIE KING (founded 1973) has increased by 48 units, from 602 to 650 (8% growth) and entered into the Cayman Islands. This quick serve juice/smoothie concept is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner hours, with a $3-$8 per person price range. Units have limited seating. Catering service is available. Stores are franchised and trade in AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, MS, NC, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI, South Korea, and the Cayman Islands.
Orlando, FL-based NYPD PIZZA (founded 1996) has increased by 1 unit, from 6 to 7 (17% growth). These quick serve pizzerias are open for lunch and dinner, with a $6-$12 per person price range. The restaurants serve beer and wine and offer catering, delivery and online ordering services. Seating is for about 60. Locations are in AR and FL.
Colorado-based LA MARIPOSA RESTAURANT has increased by 1 unit, from 3 to 4 (33% growth). These Mexican restaurants have full bar and seat about 200. Per person check average is $6-$15+, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Catering and private party services are available. All locations are in CO.
Lincoln, NE-based VALENTINO’S PIZZA (founded 1957) has increased by 2 units, from 38 to 40 (5% growth). These family/casual Italian and pizza restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, with a $6-$12 per person price range. Locations serve beer and wine and seat about 100. Catering, delivery, and online ordering are available. Trading areas are IA, KS, MN, ND, NE, and SD.
PRETZEL TWISTER of New Hill, NC (founded 1992) has increased by 5 units, from 44 to 49 (11% growth). These are take-out shops located in malls. Meal periods are lunch and dinner. Per person check average is around $3-$8. Locations are more than 90% franchised and are in AL, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MS, NC, OH, PA, SC, VA, WA and WV.
LADY & SONS RESTAURANT of Savannah, GA (founded 1989) has increased by 1 unit for Paula Deen’s Kitchen, from 1 to 2 (100% concept growth). Other company concepts are Lady & Sons (1), Paula Deen Buffet (2), and Uncle Bubba’s Oyster House (1). Overall company growth is from 5 to 6 (20% growth). These are family/casual restaurants with full bar. Seating is for around 200. Meal periods are lunch and dinner. Per person check average is around $15-$50+. Catering and banquet services are offered. Locations are in GA, IN, MS and NC.
LITTLE JOE’S FAMOUS CHICAGO PIZZA & RESTAURANT based in New Lenox, IL (founded 1958) has increased by 1 unit, from 2 to 3 (50% growth). These are family/casual Italian and pizza restaurants with full bar and seating for around 175. Meal periods are lunch and dinner. Per person check average is around $4-$10. Catering and banquet services are available. All locations are in IL.
Emerging and Re-emerging Concepts
Concepts with 20 units or less who grew by at least 2 units.
Long Island, NY-based AYHAN’S SHISH KABAB has added a new concept called Ayhan’s Pita Express (2 units). Other concepts are Ayhan’s Mediterranean Marketplace & Café (1), Fish Kabab (1), and Shish Kabab (5). Overall company increase was from 7 to 9 (29% company growth). These family/casual Mediterranean concepts are open for lunch and dinner, with a $10-$30 per person check average. The restaurants have full bar service and seating for around 150. Catering and banquet services are offered. All locations are in NY.
Repeat Growers
Concepts previously written about in the past 18 months.
Culver City, CA-based COUNTER BURGER (founded 2003) has increased by 3 units, from 33 to 36 (9% growth). This is a family/casual burger concept, open for lunch and dinner. Per person check average is $6-$15+. Full bar is served at select locations, most serve beer and wine only. Seating is for around 100. Units are franchised and trade in CA, CT, FL, GA, HI, IL, NY, TX, VA, Ireland, and Saudi Arabia. We last featured this concept on 10/18/11 (13% growth).
Atlanta, GA-based TWISTED TACO (founded 2002) has increased by 1 unit, from 6 to 7 (17% growth). These family/casual Mexican restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, with an $8-$20 per person check average. The restaurants have full bar and seat about 200. Catering, delivery, and private party services are available. All locations are in GA. Franchise opportunities are now available. We last featured this concept on 11/29/11 (50% growth).
Toronto, ON-based PIZZA NOVA (founded 1963) has increased by 13 units, from 126 to 139 (10% growth). This quick serve pizzeria is open for lunch and dinner, with a $2-$6 per person price range. Units seat about 50. Delivery and online ordering are available. Locations are franchised and trade in ON. We wrote about this company on 6/1/11 (2% 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.
