Restaurant Trends - Growing And Emerging Concepts - Data reflects change and activity from December 13, 2008 to April 13, 2009

Growing Concepts that have grown by at least 5% (if less than 50 units).

Maitland, FL-based SONNY'S REAL PIT BBQ (founded 1968) has increased by 1 unit, from 128 to 129 (1% growth). These family/casual BBQ restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, with a $6-$15+ per person check average. Beer and wine are available and seating is for about 200. Catering services are offered. Locations are franchised and located in AL, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, and TN.

Metairie, LA-based FAT TUESDAY (founded 1983) has increased by 1 unit for the Fat Tuesday concept, from 19 to 20 (5% concept growth) and by 2 units for New Orleans Original Daiquiris, from 30 to 32 (7% concept growth). Overall company increase was from 49 to 52 (6% company growth). These are family/casual daiquiri bars, with limited food. Locations have seating for about 150 and are open during lunch and dinner hours. Per person check average is about $6-$12. Trading areas are AZ, FL, LA, NV, PA, SC, and Mexico.

WHITE LODGING based in Merrillville, IN (founded 1985) has increased by 1 unit for Coaches Bar and Grill, from 1 to 2 (100% concept growth). These are family/casual restaurants with full bar and seating for about 200. Catering and banquets are offered. Other concepts are Bin 595 (1), Blu Italian Mediterranean Grill (1), Champions (3), Circle City Bar & Grill (1), Dempsey's Irish American Grill (1), Flatz (1), J W Steakhouse (1), Legend's Sports Bar & Grill (1), Limestone Lounge & Kitchen (1), Parkway Grille (1), Sonoma'z (1), T J Maloney's (1), Tgi Friday's (1) and Viand Bar & Kitchen (1). Overall company growth is from 17 to 18 (6% company growth). Locations are in CO, FL, IL, IN, KY, MI and TX.

PLUCKERS WING FACTORY & GRILL headquartered in Austin, TX (founded 1995) has increased by 1 unit, from 8 to 9 (13% growth). These are family/casual chicken restaurants with seating for about 100. Beer is served. Catering and banquets are offered. The check average is around $6-$12 per person. Locations are franchised and are in LA and TX.

FORD RESTAURANT GROUP based in Lakeway, TX (founded 1989) has increased 1 unit for Rudy's Country Store BBQ, from 26 to 27 (4% concept growth). These are family/casual BBQ restaurants with seating for about 200. The per person check average is around $6-$12. Other concepts are Elite Circle Grill (1) and Ozona Grill & Bar (2). Overall company growth is from 29 to 30 (3% company growth). Locations are more than 30% franchised and are in NM, OK and TX.

Concepts with 20 units or less who grew by at least 2 units.

Texas-based PALIO'S PIZZA CAFÉ has increased by 3 units, from 17 to 20 (18% growth). These are quick serve Italian/pizza restaurants, open for lunch and dinner, with a $4-$10 per person check average. Beer is served at some locations. Catering, delivery and online ordering are also available. All the units are in TX.

New Jersey-based quick serve pizza chain VENUTO'S OLD WORLD PIZZA (founded 2007) has increased by 2 units, from 8 to 10 (25% growth) and entered into FL. The restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, offering delivery and online ordering services. Trading areas are FL, NJ, and PA. All locations are franchised.

Concepts previously written about in the past 18 months.

Covington, LA-based SMOOTHIE KING (founded 1973) has increased by 19 units, from 581 to 600 (3% growth). These quick serve juice/smoothie cafes are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner hours, with a $4-$8 per person check average. Catering is available. Seating is for about 10. Trading areas are AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI, and South Korea. All units are franchised. We previously featured this concept on 4/15/08 (4% growth).

Omaha, NE-based GODFATHER'S PIZZA (founded 1973) has increased by 14 units, from 633 to 647 (2% growth). These are quick serve pizzerias, open for lunch and dinner. Catering, delivery, and online ordering are available. Beer and wine are available at some locations. Units have seating for about 20-50. Locations are franchised and located in the states of AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WV, and WY. We previously featured this concept on 12/11/07 (3% growth).

Jacksonville, FL-based FIREHOUSE SUBS (founded 1994) has increased by 19 units, from 345 to 364 (6% growth) and entered into CO and MO. These quick serve sandwich restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, with a $3-$8 per person check average. Units have seating for about 20. Catering and online ordering are available. Locations are franchised and located in the states of AL, AR, AZ, CO, FL, GA, KY, LA, MO, MS, NC, NV, OK, SC, TN, TX, and VA. We have previously featured this concept 4 times (12/11/07-12% growth, 5/6/08-5% growth, 9/9/08-6% growth, and 12/30/08-1% growth).

NEW YORK PIZZERIA of Houston, TX (founded 1992) has increased 1 unit for their Russo's concept, from 1 to 2 (100% concept growth). These are family/casual pizza restaurants with full bar and seating for about 100. The check average is around $6-$15+ per person. Catering is offered. The New York Pizzeria concept has 21 units. Overall company increase is from 22 to 23 (5% company growth). Locations are in TN and TX. We reported on this concept on 11/25/08 newsletter (5% growth).

MELLOW MUSHROOM of Atlanta, GA (founded 1974) has increased by 3 units, from 96 to 99 (3% growth) and expanded into AZ. These are quick serve pizza restaurants with full bar and seating for about 60. Locations are open for lunch and dinner and catering is offered. Locations are more than 90% franchised and are in AL, AR, AZ, FL, GA, IN, KY, LA, MS, NC, OH, SC, TN, TX and VA. We reported on this concept on 8/26/08 (5% growth) and on 1/6/09 (12% growth).

STEVI B'S PIZZA based in Kennesaw, GA (founded 1996) has increased by 2 units, from 30 to 32 (7% growth). These are buffet pizza restaurants with seating for about 175. The per person check average is around $6-$12. Banquets are offered. Locations are more than 90% franchised and are in AL, FL, GA, MI, OH, SC and TN. We last wrote about this concept on 1/6/09 when they had 7% 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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