Growing Concepts
Concepts that have grown by at least 5% (if less than 50 units).
San Bernardino, CA-based BAKERS DRIVE THRU RESTAURANTS (founded 1952) has increased by 1 unit, from 36 to 37 (3% growth). These fast casual burger restaurants are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a $3-$8 per person price range. Units seat around 70. All stores are in CA.
Washington, DC-based EATWELL DC (founded 2003) has increased by 1 unit, from 4 to 5 (25% growth) with the opening of a new concept called The Pig. Other concepts are Commissary DC (1), Grillfish (1), Logan Tavern (1), and The Heights (1). The restaurants are family/casual, open for lunch and dinner. Per person check average is $10-$30, serving many types of cuisines. The concepts have full bar and seating for around 100. Online ordering, delivery, and private party services are available. All locations are in DC.
MURPHY’S DELI based in Houston, TX (founded 1993) has increased by 3 units, from 77 to 80 (4% growth). These are mostly take-out sandwich restaurants with seating for around 40. Meal periods are breakfast, lunch and dinner. Per person check average is around $2-$12+. Catering and delivery are available. Locations are more than 90% franchised and are in CA, GA and TX.
Lubbock, TX-based BAHAMA BUCK’S (founded 1990) has increased by 4 units, from 23 to 27 (17% growth). This is a quick serve ice cream shop, open for lunch and dinner hours. Per person price range is $2-$6, with limited seating and drive-thru available. Trading areas are AZ, NM, and TX.
Pasadena, CA-based WETZEL’S PRETZELS (founded 1994) has increased by 17 units, from 197 to 214 (9% growth). This quick serve pretzel shop is open for lunch and dinner hours, with a $2-$6 per person price range. Most locations are in malls. Between 70% and 80% of units are franchised. Trading areas are AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NJ, NS, NV, NY, OH, ON, OR, PA, TN, TX, VA, and WA.
Emerging and Re-emerging Concepts
Concepts with 20 units or less who grew by at least 2 units.
Kansas City, MO-based 54TH STREET GRILL & BAR (founded 1990) has increased by 2 units, from 18 to 20 (11% growth). The restaurants are family/casual, open for lunch and dinner, with an $8-$20 per person check average. Cuisine is American and seating is for about 200. Trading areas are IL, KS, MO, and TX.
Dallas, TX-based SNAPPY SALADS (founded 2005) has increased by 2 units, from 3 to 5 (67% growth). This is a fast casual concept, open for lunch and dinner, with a $6-$12 per person price range. Units seat about 50 and offer catering and online ordering services. All stores are in TX.
Santa Monica, CA-based THE VEGGIE GRILL (founded 2005) has increased by 10 units, from 9 to 19 (111% growth) and entered into WA. This fast casual vegetarian concept is open for lunch and dinner, with a $6-$12 per person check average. Beer and wine are served and seating is for about 80. Trading areas are CA, OR, and WA.
Repeat Growers
Concepts previously written about in the past 18 months.
Belmont, MA-based STONE HEARTH PIZZA CO (founded 2005) has increased by 1 unit, from 4 to 5 (25% growth). This is a family/casual Italian & pizza concept, open for lunch and dinner. Per person check average is $8-$20, serving beer and wine. Seating is for around 60. Catering, delivery and online ordering services are available. All locations are in MA. We last featured this concept on 6/19/12 (33% growth).
Sandy, UT-based BEANS & BREWS COFFEE HOUSE (founded 1993) has increased by 2 units, from 23 to 25 (9% growth). These quick serve coffee shops are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner hours, with a $2-$6 per person price range. Units have limited seating and offer drive-thru and online ordering services. All stores are in UT. Franchise opportunities are now available. We last featured this company on 9/4/12 (15% growth).
West Hollywood, CA-based HAMBURGER MARY’S BAR & GRILLE (founded 1972) has increased by 1 unit, from 12 to 13 (8% growth) and entered into Berlin. This family/casual burger concept is open for lunch and dinner, with an $8-$20 per person check average. Seating is for about 250 and catering and banquet services are available. Trading areas are CA, CO, FL, IL, MO, OR, WI, and Berlin. We last featured this concept on 6/5/12 (9% growth).
FAMOUS DAVE’S of Minnetonka, MN (NASDAQ:DAVE; founded 1995) has increased by 2 units, from 186 to 188 (1% growth). These are family/casual BBQ restaurants with full bar and seating for around 250. Meal periods are lunch and dinner. Per person check average is around $8-$20. Catering and franchising are offered. Locations are in AR, AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, ND, NE, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA and WI. We last reported on this concept on 5/1/12 when they had 1% growth.
FREEBIRDS WORLD BURRITO based in Emeryville, CA (founded 1987) has increased by 9 units, from 88 to 97 (10% growth) and expanded into KS, LA and MO. These are fast casual Mexican restaurants with seating for around 100. Beer and wine are served. Meal periods are lunch and dinner with a per person check average of around $4-$10. Catering and patio seating are available. Locations are in CA, KS, LA, MO, OK and TX. We wrote about this concept on 4/3/12 (23% growth).
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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