Growing Concepts
Concepts that have grown by at least 5% (if less than 50 units).
Virginia Beach, VA-based YNOT PIZZA (founded 1993) has increased by 1 unit, from 4 to 5 (25% growth). This family/casual pizzeria is open for lunch and dinner, with a $6-$15+ per person price range. The restaurants serve beer and wine and have seating for about 50. Catering and online ordering are available. All locations are in VA.
Tampa, FL-based EVOS (founded 1994) has increased by 1 unit, from 8 to 9 (13% growth). This fast casual concept serves American cuisine and is open for lunch and dinner. Per person price range is $4-$12+. Average seating is for about 50. Catering is available. Locations are franchised and trade in FL, GA, and NC.
Moline, IL-based WHITEY’S ICE CREAM (founded 1933) has increased by 1 unit, from 11 to 12 (9% growth). These take-out ice cream shops are open for lunch and dinner hours, with a $4-$12+ per person price range. Trading areas are IA and IL.
Colorado-based SANTIAGO’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT has increased by 2 units, from 21 to 23 (10% growth). The restaurants are quick serve, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a $4-$12+ per person check average. Locations have seating for about 70. All are located in CO.
EAST OF CHICAGO PIZZA based in Lima, OH has increased by 2 units, from 73 to 75 (3% growth) and expanded into KY. These are buffet pizza restaurants with seating for around 60. Meal periods are lunch and dinner. Per person check average is around $4-$12+. Delivery services are available. Locations are more than 90% franchised and are located in IN, KY, OH, SC and WV.
Emerging and Re-emerging Concepts
Concepts with 20 units or less who grew by at least 2 units.
Fort Wayne, IN-based EDDIE MERLOT’S (founded 2001) has increased by 2 units, from 5 to 7 (40% growth) and entered into MI. This is an upscale steakhouse concept, open for dinner, with a $15-$50+ per person check average. The restaurants have full bar service and seating for around 150. Catering and banquet services are available. The restaurants are located in IL, IN, KY, MI, and OH.
BOBBY FLAY’S RESTAURANTS of New York, NY (founded 1991) has increased by 2 units for Bobby’s Burger Palace, from 13 to 15 (15% growth) and expanded into OH and VA. These are family/casual burger restaurants with seating for around 100. Meal periods are lunch and dinner. Per person check average is around $8-$20. Other company concepts are Bar Americain (2), Bobby Flay’s Steak (1) and Mesa Grill (3). Overall company increase is from 19 to 21 (11% growth). Locations are in CT, DC, MA, MD, NJ, NV, NY, OH, PA and VA.
BONO’S PIT BAR-B-Q based in Jacksonville, FL (founded 1949) has increased by 2 units, from 19 to 21 (11% growth). These are family/casual BBQ restaurants with seating for around 100. Beer is served. Meal periods are lunch and dinner. Per person check average is around $8-$20. Catering is available. Locations are more than 70% franchised and are in CO and FL.
Atlanta, GA-based METROTAINMENT CAFES (founded 1991) has increased by 2 units for the Hudson Grill concept, from 3 to 5 (67% concept growth). Other company concepts include Cowtippers Steaks & Spirits (1), Einstein’s (1), Garrison’s Broiler & Tap (1), Joe’s (2), Metrotainment Bakery (1), and Sugar Shack (1). Overall company increase was from 10 to 12 (20% growth). The restaurants are family/casual, serving mostly American cuisine. Meal periods are lunch and dinner, with a $10-$30+ per person check average. The restaurants have full bar and seating for about 250. Catering, banquet, and online ordering services are available. All locations are in GA.
Garden Grove, CA-based CE FIORE (founded 2006) has increased by 5 units, from 5 to 10 (100% growth) and entered into KY. This quick serve frozen yogurt concept is open for lunch and dinner hours, with a $4-$12+ per person price range. Units have limited seating and offer catering services. Stores are franchised and trade in CA, KY, NV, WA, Istanbul, and Australia.
Repeat Growers
Concepts previously written about in the past 18 months.
San Diego, CA-based LUNA GRILL has increased by 1 unit, from 8 to 9 (13% growth). This fast casual Mediterranean concept is open for lunch and dinner, with an $8-$20 per person check average. Beer and wine are served and seating is for about 80. Catering, delivery and online ordering options are offered. All locations are in CA. Franchise opportunities are now available. We wrote about this concept on 12/4/12 (60% growth).
Michigan-based LEO’S CONEY ISLAND (founded 1972) has increased by 7 units, from 42 to 49 (17% growth). The restaurants are family/casual sandwich shops, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Per person price range is $4-$12+ and beer and wine are served at select locations. Catering service is available. All units are franchised and trade in MI. We last featured this concept on 3/27/12 (2% growth).
Irvine, CA-based HABIT BURGER GRILL (founded 1969) has increased by 2 units, from 68 to 70 (3% growth) and entered into UT. The restaurants are fast casual, open for lunch and dinner, with a $4-$12+ per person price range. Units seat about 40. Online ordering is available. Trading areas are AZ, CA, and UT. We wrote about this concept on 5/1/12 (17% growth) and again on 1/2/13 (26% 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.
For more information, please contact Keith Gellman at keith@foodservicereport.com.
