Growing Concepts
Concepts that have grown by at least 5% (if less than 50 units).
Sanibel, FL-based LAZY FLAMINGO (founded 1987) has increased by 1 unit for the Lazy Flamingo concept, from 3 to 4 (33% concept growth). The company also operates Sunset Grill (1). Overall company increase from 4 to 5 (25% company growth). These are family/casual seafood restaurants, open for lunch and dinner, with a $10-$30 per person check average. The concepts have full bar service and average seating for around 100. All locations are in FL.
Walker, MI-based PEPPINO’S PIZZA (founded 1976) has increased by 1 unit for the Peppino’s Sports Grille concept, from 3 to 4 (33% concept growth). The company also has 5 Peppino’s Pizza locations. Overall company increase was from 8 to 9 (13% company growth). These are mostly quick serve Italian & pizza restaurants, open for lunch and dinner. Per person price range is $4-$10 (sports grilles are around $6-$15+). The pizzerias seat about 50, sports grilles around 100-150. Catering, delivery, and online ordering services are available. All locations are in MI. About half of all concepts are franchised.
CHICKIE’S & PETE’S based in Bensalem, PA (founded 1977) has increased by 1 unit, from 14 to 15 (7% growth). These are family/casual American restaurants with full bar and seating for around 350. Meal periods are lunch and dinner. Per person check average is around $8-$20. Catering and banquet services are available. Locations are in NJ and PA.
Woodridge, IL-based HOME RUN INN PREMIUM PIZZA (founded 1947) has increased by 1 unit, from 8 to 9 (13% growth). The restaurants are family/casual, open for lunch and dinner. Per person check average is $8-$20, with full bar service and seating for around 200. Catering, private party, online ordering, and delivery services are all available. All locations are in IL.
Dallas, TX-based FRONT BURNER RESTAURANTS (founded 2005) has increased by 13 units for the Twin Peaks concept, from 29 to 42 (45% concept growth) and entered into AR, FL, IL, and MS. The company also operates Ojos Locos Sports Cantina (4), Ranch At Las Colinas (1), Red Dog Right (1), and Whiskey Cake Kitchen & Bar (1). Overall company increase was from 36 to 49 (36% growth). The restaurants are family/casual, serving mostly American cuisine. Per person check average is $8-$20, with full bar service and seating for around 225. Banquet services are available. Trading areas are AR, AZ, CO, FL, GA, IA, IL, KS, LA, MS, NC, NE, NM, NV, OK, SC, TN, and TX. Franchising for Twin Peaks is available.
Emerging and Re-emerging Concepts
Concepts with 20 units or less who grew by at least 2 units.
Texas-based SOULMAN’S BBQ RESTAURANTS (founded 1974) has increased by 2 units, from 9 to 11 (22% growth). This is a family/casual barbecue concept, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Per person price range is $4-$10. Seating is for about 150. Catering and private party services are available. All locations are in TX.
San Francisco, CA-based THE MELT (founded 2011) has increased by 10 units, from 4 to 14 (250% growth). This is a fast casual sandwich shop, specializing in grilled cheese sandwiches. Beer and wine are served and seating is for about 50. Online ordering is available. All units are in CA.
AMERICAN ROADSIDE BURGERS of Charlotte, NC has increased by 2 units, from 3 to 5 (67% growth). These are fast casual burger restaurants with seating for around 100. Meal periods are lunch and dinner. Beer and wine are served. Per person check average is around $6-$12. Locations are in NC, NY and SC.
EL TACO TOTE based in El Paso, TX (founded 1988) has increased by 3 units from 20 to 23 (15% growth). These are fast casual Mexican restaurants with seating for around 150. Beer is served. Meal periods are lunch and dinner. Per person check average is around $3-$8. Catering and franchising are offered. Locations are in AZ, NM and TX.
Utah-based CAFE ZUPAS (founded 2005) has increased by 7 units, from 13 to 20 (54% growth) and entered into AZ and NV. This fast casual sandwich concept is open for lunch and dinner, with a $4-$10 per person price range. Seating is for about 50 and catering and private party services are available. Trading areas are AZ, NV, and UT.
Repeat Growers
Concepts previously written about in the past 18 months.
Virginia-based THE PERFECT PITA (founded 1994) has increased by 1 unit, from 15 to 16 (7% growth). These quick serve Mediterranean sandwich shops are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a $3-$8 per person price range. Units have limited seating and offer catering and delivery. Trading areas are DC, MD, and VA. WE last wrote about this concept on 5/15/12 (36% growth). Franchising opportunities are now available.
Alexandria, VA-based BREAD & CHOCOLATE (founded 1981) has increased by 1 unit, from 4 to 5 (25% growth). This quick serve bakery/café concept is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a $4-$10+ per person check average. Beer and wine are served and catering and delivery services are available. Trading areas are DC, MD, and VA. We last wrote about this concept on 6/19/12 (33% growth).
Duncansville, PA-based MEADOWS ORIGINAL FROZEN CUSTARD (founded 1950) has increased by 3 units, from 21 to 24 (14% growth). This quick serve concept is open for lunch and dinner hours, with a $2-$6 per person price range. Units have limited seating and offer drive-thru service. Stores are franchised and trade in MD, NC, and PA. We last wrote about this concept on 11/22/11 (11% growth).
PITA PIT headquartered in Coeur D’alene, ID (founded 1995) has increased by 69 units, from 331 to 400 (21% growth). These are fast casual sandwich restaurants with seating for around 40. Meal periods are breakfast, lunch and dinner. Per person check average is around $3-$8. Catering is offered. Locations are more than 90% franchised. Trading areas are AB, AL, AZ, BC, CA, CO, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MB, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NB, NC, ND, NH, NM, NS, NV, NY, OH, OK, ON, OR, PA, PQ, SC, SD, SK, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WV and WY. We last wrote about this concept on 4/17/12 (4% 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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