Restaurant Trends - Growing And Emerging Concepts - Data reflects change and activity from April 3, 2009 to August 3, 2009

Growing Concepts that have grown by at least 5% (if less than 50 units).
Chicago, IL-based YOLK has increased by 1 unit for the Yolk concept, from 1 to 2 (100% concept growth). The owners also operate Grandma Sally's (1 unit). Overall company increase was from 2 to 3 (50% company growth). These are family/casual breakfast and lunch restaurants, with a $6-$10 per person check average. Catering and private party facilities are available. Seating is for about 150. All the restaurants are in IL.

BELLANTE'S PIZZA & PASTA based in Miami, FL has increased by 1 unit for the Bellante's concept, from 4 to 5 (25% concept growth). These are family/casual restaurants with seating for around 100. Beer and wine are served. The check average is around $6-$15+ per person. Lunch and dinner are served and catering is offered. There is a second 1-unit concept called Luna Café. Overall company growth is from 5 to 6 (20% company growth). All are located in FL.

Boston, MA-based AU BON PAIN (founded 1978) has increased by 5 units, from 261 to 266 (2% growth) and entered into the UAE. These fast casual bakery/cafes are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a $3-$8 per person check average. Seating is for about 30. Catering and online ordering are available. Trading areas are AL, CT, DC, FL, GA, IL, IN, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, TX, VA, South Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, Kuwait and UAE. About half the units are franchised.

GREEN IGUANA BAR & GRILL based in Tampa, FL (founded 1990) has increased by 1 unit, from 5 to 6 (20% growth). These are family/casual restaurants with full bar and seating for about 200. The check average is around $6-$15+ per person. Catering and banquets are offered. Locations are in FL.

Oklahoma City, OK-based BRAUM'S ICE CREAM (founded 1968) has increased by 3 units, from 275 to 278 (1% growth). These are quick serve ice cream shops, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner hours. Per person price is from $2-$6. Seating ranges from 10-30. Trading areas are AR, KS, MO, OK, and TX.

CONSILIENT RESTAURANTS of Richardson, TX has opened a new concept called Westside Tavern. This is a casual/upscale tavern with full bar and seating for about 300. Lunch and dinner are served. The check average is around $15-$30+ per person. Overall company increase is from 8 to 9 (13% growth). Other concepts are Cuba Libre Café (1), Fireside Pies (4), Hibiscus (1), The Porch (1) and Victor Tango's (1). All are located in TX.

Concepts with 20 units or less who grew by at least 2 units.
Springfield, MO-based ZIGGIE'S CAFÉ (founded 1983) has increased by 3 units for the Ziggie's concept, from 10 to 13 (30% concept growth) and entered into KS. The company also operates a more upscale concept called Avanzare Italian Dining (1). Overall company increase was from 11 to 14 (27% company growth). Ziggie's are family/casual restaurants, serving American cuisine. Meal periods are breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a $6-$15+ per person check average. Seating is for about 100. Catering and banquets are available. Trading areas are KS and MO.

A J GATOR'S SPORTS BAR & GRILL based in Chesapeake, VA (founded 1996) has increased by 2 units, from 10 to 12 (20% growth). These are family/casual restaurants with full bar and seating for about 150. The check average is around $8-$20. Catering and banquets are offered. Locations are franchised and are in VA.

Loveland, OH-based BLUE CHIP COOKIES (founded 1983) has increased by 2 units, from 4 to 6 (50% growth) and entered into PA. Other trading areas are KS and OH. These quick serve cookie cafes are open for lunch and dinner hours, with a $2-$6 per person price range. Catering and online ordering are available. Eighty-three percent of the stores are franchised.

Concepts previously written about in the past 18 months.
Portland, OR-based O'NATURAL'S (founded 2001) has increased by 1 unit, from 4 to 5 (25% growth) and entered into AZ. These are fast casual restaurants, specializing in a variety of foods made from natural and organic ingredients. Some locations serve beer and wine. Per person check average is about $3-$8, with seating for about 60. Catering is available. About 40% of units are franchised and are located in AZ, KS, MA, and ME. We previously featured this concept on 10/28/08 (20% growth).

Auburn, WA-based THE ROCK WOOD FIRED PIZZA & SPIRITS (founded 1995) has increased by 1 unit, from 9 to 10 (11% growth). These are family/casual Italian and pizza restaurants, open for lunch and dinner. Per person check average is $8-$15. The restaurants have a full bar and seating for about 250. Between 20% and 30% of the locations are franchised and are all located in WA. We featured this concept on 9/15/08 (29% growth).

THE DOLCE GROUP of Hollywood, CA (founded 2001) has increased by 1 unit for their Geisha House concept, from 2 to 3 (50% concept growth) and by 1 unit for their Ketchup concept, from 2 to 3 (50% concept growth). Other concepts are Bella Cucina Italiana (1), Les Deux (1), Rare 120 (1), Ten Pin Alley (1), The Boardroom (1) and Dolce Enoteca (3). Overall company growth is from 12 to 14 (17% growth). The concepts tend to be upscale with full bar and seating for about 200. The check average is around $15-$30+ per person. Banquets are offered. Locations are in AL, CA, GA, NV and TX. We reported on this concept on 5/20/08 when they had 22% company growth.

Dallas, TX-based CORNER BAKERY CAFÉ (founded 1991) has increased by 3 units, from 112 to 115 (3% growth) and entered into MS. These are fast casual bakery/cafes, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Per person check average is $4-$10. Seating is for about 80. Catering and delivery are available. Trading areas are AZ, CA, CO, DC, GA, IL, MD, MS, PA, TX, and VA. We featured this concept 3 times previously (7/29/08-5% growth, 11/18/08-4% growth, and 3/31/09-4% 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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