Growing Concepts
Concepts that have grown by at least 5% (if less than 50 units).
Albuquerque, NM-based ANNAPURNA CHAI HOUSE has increased by 1 unit, from 2 to 3 (50% growth). This is a family/casual Indian concept, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Per person check average is $6-$12. Beer and wine are served and seating is for about 60. Catering is available. All locations are in NM.
Glendale, CA-based ANOUSH RESTAURANT (founded 1986) has increased by 1 unit, from 3 to 4 (33% growth). These are upscale Mediterranean restaurants, specializing in banquet service. Per person price range is $15-$50+, offering full bar. Units seat over 500. Catering service is also available. All locations are in CA.
THE HICKORY TAVERN headquartered in Charlotte, NC (founded 1997) has increased by 1 unit, from 13 to 14 (8% growth). These are family/casual restaurants with full bar and seating for around 125. Meal periods are lunch and dinner. Per person check average is around $6-$15+. Catering is available. Locations are in NC and SC.
MOE’S SOUTHWEST GRILL of Atlanta, GA (founded 2000) has increased by 26 units, from 429 to 455 (6% growth). These are fast casual Mexican restaurants with seating for around 90. Beer and wine are served. Per person check average is around $6-$12. Lunch and dinner are served. Locations are more than 90% franchised and are in AL, AR, AZ, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, NC, ND, NJ, NV, NY, OK, ON, OR, PA, SC, TN, VA and VT.
DEL TACO of Lake Forest, CA (founded 1964) has increased by 14 units, from 528 to 542 (3% growth) and expanded into GA. These are quick serve Mexican restaurants with seating for around 80. Meal periods are lunch and dinner. Per person check average is around $3-$8. Locations are more than 40% franchised and are in AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, ID, IN, MI, MT, NM, NV, OH, OR, SC, TX, UT and WA.
Emerging and Re-emerging Concepts
Concepts with 20 units or less who grew by at least 2 units.
Sioux Falls, SD-based WR RESTAURANTS MGMT (founded 1977) has increased by 4 units, from 14 to 18 (29% growth), with the addition of new concepts called Redrossa Italian Grille (2), Oggie’s (1), and Deadwood Grille (1). The company has now entered into MN. Other concepts include Grille 26 (1), Kahill’s (1), Minerva’s (9), Phillips Avenue Diner (1), and Redrossa Napoli Pizza (2). These are family/casual concepts, serving mostly American and Italian cuisine. Meal periods are lunch and dinner, with a $10-$30 per person price range. Most restaurants have full bar and seat around 200. Catering and banquet facilities are available. Trading areas are IA, MI, MN, ND, NE, and SD.
Repeat Growers
Concepts previously written about in the past 18 months.
Missoula, MT-based HUHOT MONGOLIAN GRILL (founded 1999) has increased by 3 units, from 41 to 44 (7% growth) and entered into NC. These fast casual Asian restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, with a $6-$12 per person price range. Beer and wine are served and seating is for about 150. Catering and online ordering are available. Trading areas are AR, CO, IA, IN, KS, MN, MO, MT, NC, ND, NE, OK, SD, TX, WA, and WI. We last wrote about this concept on 3/22/11 (12% growth) and on 11/8/11 (3% growth).
Boston, MA-based AU BON PAIN (founded 1978) has increased by 6 units, from 314 to 320 (2% growth) and entered into TN and WI. These fast casual bakery/cafes are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a $3-$8 per person price range. Units seat about 30 and offer catering service. Locations are franchised and trade in AL, CT, DC, FL, GA, IL, IN, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, TN, TX, VA, WI, India, Kuwait, South Korea, Thailand, and the UAE. We last featured this concept on 11/23/10 (3% growth) and on 8/30/11 (7% growth).
Portland, ME-based AMATO’S SANDWICH SHOP (founded 1902) has increased by 1 unit, from 45 to 46 (2% growth). These fast casual restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, with a $4-$10 per person price range. Locations serve beer and wine and seat about 40. Catering and delivery options are available. Shops are franchised and trade in ME, NH, NY, and VT. We featured this concept on 3/1/11 (10% growth) and on 8/23/11 (2% growth).
WABA GRILL based in City Of Industry, CA (founded 2004) has increased by 4 units, from 31 to 35 (13% growth). These are fast casual Japanese restaurants with seating for around 80. Meal periods are lunch and dinner. Per person check average is around $4-$10. Locations are more than 90% franchised and are in CA. We last reported on this concept on 1/11/11 (8% 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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