Restaurant Trends - Growing And Emerging Concepts - Data reflects change and activity from August 8, 2008 to December 8, 2008

Growing Concepts that have grown by at least 5% (if less than 50 units).
Houston, TX-based SAM'S BOAT (founded 1981) has increased by 1 unit, from 6 to 7 (17% growth). These are family/casual seafood restaurants, open for lunch and dinner. The restaurants have a full bar and seating for about 250. Banquet facilities are available. All units are in TX.

Tulsa, OK-based SIMPLE SIMON'S PIZZA (founded 1982) has increased by 2 units for the Simple Simon concept, from 209 to 211 (1% concept growth) and by 2 units for the Cheezie's Pizza concept, from 13 to 15 (15% concept growth). Overall company increase was from 222 to 226 (2% company growth). These are quick serve pizzeria concepts, open for lunch and dinner, with seating for about 50 at some units. Trading areas are AL, AR, GA, KS, LA, MO, NM, OK, and TX. All locations are franchised.

PERRY'S RESTAURANT GROUP based in Houston, TX (founded 1979) has increased by 1 unit for their Perry's Steakhouse concept, from 5 to 6 (20% growth). These are upscale steakhouses with full bar and seating for about 200. Catering and banquets are offered. The check average is around $15-$50+. Overall company increase is from 8 to 9 (13% company growth). Other concepts are Perry's Italian Grille (1) and Perry's Market & Grille (2). All locations are in TX.

SAL'S JUST PIZZA headquartered in Lawrence, MA (founded 1990) has increased by 1 unit for their Sal's Pizza concept, from 28 to 29 (4% concept growth). These are Italian and Pizza restaurants with limited seating. The check average is around $3-$8 per person. Other concepts are Mary's Pasta & Sandwiches (3) and Salvatore's (2). Overall company increase is from 33 to 34 (3% overall growth). Catering and banquets are offered at some company locations. Locations are in CA, FL, MA and NH.

PHILLY CONNECTION of Atlanta, GA (founded 1984) has increased by 1 unit, from 55 to 56 (2% growth) and expanded into OH. These are quick serve restaurants with seating for about 50. The check average is around $3-$8 per person. Catering is offered. Locations are more than 90% franchised and are in AL, FL, GA, KY, LA, NC, NJ, OH, TN, TX and VA.

SMITH BROTHERS RESTAURANT CORP headquartered in Pasadena, CA (founded 1974) has increased by 1 unit, from 5 to 6 (20% growth). The company opened a new concept called Spitfire Saloon which is a family/casual bar and grill. Seating is for about 225. Other concepts are Arroyo Chop House (1), Crocodile Café (1), Parkway Grill (1), Smitty's Grill (1) and Vibrato Grill Jazz Etc (1). Catering and banquets are offered. All locations are in CA.

JAKE'S HAMBUGERS of Newark, DE (founded 1991) has increased by 1 unit, from 10 to 11 (10% growth) and expanded into NJ. These are quick serve burger restaurants with seating for about 60. The check average is around $3-$8 per person. All are located in NJ.

Concepts with 20 units or less who grew by at least 2 units.
Dallas, TX-based FOOD FRIENDS & CO (founded 1994) has increased by 1 unit for the Wapango concept, from 1 to 2 (100% concept growth) and by 1 unit for the Woodlands Grill concept, from 3 to 4 (33% concept growth). Overall company increase was from 15 to 17 (13% company growth). Other concepts are Cozymel's (9) and Mexico Cantina Y Veracruz Cooking (2). These are family/casual restaurants, serving a variety of Mexican, Japanese and American cuisines. Average seating is for about 250. Full bar, catering and private party facilities are available. Trading areas are AR, CA, CO, IL, MO, NV, NY, TN, TX, and WA.

IGGY'S SPORTS GRILL of Layton, UT has increased by 2 units, from 8 to 10 (25% growth). These are family/casual units with full bar and seating for about 200. The check average is around $6-$15+ per person. Locations are 20% franchised and are in UT.

Concepts previously written about in the past 18 months.
College Station, TX-based FREEBIRDS WORLD BURRITO (founded 1987) has increased by 2 units, from 20 to 22 (10% growth). These are fast casual Mexican restaurants, open for lunch and dinner, with a $3-$8 per person check average. Beer is served. Catering and online ordering are available. Trading areas are OK and TX. We previously featured this company in our 5/6/08 newsletter (5% growth). Freebirds is a subsidiary of Emeryville, CA-based Tavistock Restaurants.

Baltimore, MD-based PHILLIPS FOODS INC (founded 1956) has increased by 1 unit, from 17 to 18 (6% growth) and entered into NY. These are upscale seafood restaurants, with a $15-$30+ per person check average. All locations have a full bar. Most locations have seating for about 500+. Catering and banquets are available. Trading areas are DC, GA, MD, NC, NJ, NY, PA, SC, and VA. We featured this concept in our 8/28/07 newsletter (17% growth).

Omaha, NE-based SCOOTER'S COFFEEHOUSE (founded 1998) has increased by 2 units, from 61 to 63 (3% growth) and entered into CO. These quick serve coffeehouses are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner hours, with a $2-$6 per person check average. Most locations have seating for about 20. Trading areas are AZ, CO, IA, KS, MO, NE, SD, and TX. More than 90% of stores are franchised. We most recently featured this concept in our 11/13/07 newsletter (13% growth).

DUNN BROTHERS COFFEE based in Minneapolis, MN (founded 1987) has increased by 1 unit, from 94 to 95 (1% growth). These are quick serve coffee stores with seating for about 20. The check average is around $2-$6 per person. Some locations are drive thru. All locations are franchised and are in IL, KS, MN, MO, ND, NE, SD, TN, TX and WI. We reported on this concept in our 11/27/07 newsletter when they had 8% growth.

Contact
Keith Gellman
Restaurantchains.net
1 Bridge St, Unit 94
Irvington, NY 10533
914-591-4297

http://www.restaurantchains.net
keith@restaurantchains.net

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