Restaurant Trends - Growing And Emerging Concepts - Data reflects change and activity from April 24, 2009 to August 24, 2009

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

Beaverton, OR-based SHARI'S (founded 1978) has increased by 4 units, from 101 to 105 (4% growth). These are family/casual restaurants, serving American cuisine. Meal periods are breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a $6-$12 per person check average. Beer and wine are sold. Seating is for about 150. Trading areas are CA, ID, NE, OR, WA, and WY.

THAI HOUSE RESTAURANT GROUP of Richmond, BC (founded 1986) has increased by 1 unit, from 7 to 8 (14% growth) by adding a new concept called Charm Modern Thai. These are upscale Asian restaurants with full bar and seating for about 250. The check average is around $15-$30+ per person. Other company concepts are Chilli House (1), Samba Brazilian Steakhouse (1), Thai House (4) and Urban Thai (1). All locations are in BC.

Beverly Hills, CA-based HILLSTONE RESTAURANT GROUP (founded 1976) has increased by 1 unit for the Houston's concept, from 32 to 33 (3% concept growth). Other concepts are Bandera (5), Café R & D (3), Cherry Creek Grill (1), Gulfstream Restaurant (2), Los Altos Grill (1), Palm Beach Grill (1), Rutherford Grill (1), and Woodmont Grill (1). Overall company increase was from 47 to 48 (2% company growth). These are family/casual American restaurant concepts, open for lunch and dinner, with a $10-$30 per person check average. Locations all have full bar and average seating for about 400. Trading areas are AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, LA, MA, MD, MO, NJ, NY, TN, and TX.

CHEF GEOFF'S based in Washington, DC (founded 2000) has increased by 1 unit for Chef Geoff's, from 2 to 3 (50% concept growth) and expanded into VA. These are upscale restaurants with full bar and seating for about 80. The per person check average is around $15-$30+. Catering and banquets are offered. There is a second 1 unit concept called Lia's. Overall company growth is from 3 to 4 (33% company growth). Locations are in DC and MD.

MONTGOMERY INN headquartered in Cincinnati, OH (founded 1951) has increased by 1 unit, from 3 to 4 (33% growth). These are family/casual BBQ restaurants with full bar and seating for about 200. The per person check average is around $8-$20. Lunch and dinner are served. Catering and banquets are offered. Locations are in KY and OH.

Calgary, AB-based CINNZEO (founded 1997) has increased by 5 units, from 62 to 67 (8% growth). These take-out bakery/cafes are open for lunch and dinner hours, serving cinnamon rolls. Per person price range is $2-$6. All locations are franchised and located in AB, BC, South America and the Middle East.

THE PERFECT PITA of Alexandria, VA (founded 1994) has increased by 1 unit for the Perfect Pita concept, from 7 to 8 (14% concept growth). These are mostly take-out Mediterranean restaurants with limited seating. The check average is around $3-$8 per person. There is a second 1 unit company concept called Pane Bella Pizzeria. Overall growth is from 8 to 9 (13% company growth). Locations are in VA. Franchising is offered.

Concepts with 20 units or less who grew by at least 2 units.
SUNSET GRILL RESTAURANTS based in Mississauga, ON (founded 1985) has increased by 2 units, from 19 to 21 (11% growth). These are family casual restaurants with seating for about 80. Breakfast and lunch are served. The check average is around $4-$10 per person. Beer is offered. All locations are in ON.

Cranford, NJ-based ROCKN' JOE COFFEEHOUSE & BISTRO (founded 1993) has increased by 3 units, from 4 to 7 (75% growth) and entered into FL. Other units are located in NJ. These are family/casual coffeehouse/cafes, with a $3-$8 per person check average. Meal periods are breakfast, lunch and dinner. Average seating is for about 40.

MARIO BATALI RESTAURANTS based in New York, NY has increased by 2 units, from 14 to 16 (14% growth). They added 2 new concepts, Jon Dory and Mozza2Go. Other company concepts are B & B Ristorante (1),Babbo Ristorante (1), Bar Jamon (1), Carnevino Italian Steakhouse (1), Casa Mono (1), Del Posto (1), Enoteca San Marco (1), Esca (1), Lupa (1), Osteria Mozza (1), Otto Enoteca (1), Pizzeria Mozza (1), Spotted Pig (1) and Tarry Lodge (1). Concepts tend to be upscale with multiple cuisines. Full bar is offered and seating is for about 80. Catering and banquets are offered. Locations are in CA, NV and NY.

Concepts previously written about in the past 18 months.
Lone Tree, CO-based THE EGG & I (founded 1987) has increased by 4 units, from 32 to 36 (13% growth) and entered into NE. These are family/casual breakfast and lunch restaurants, with a $4-$8 per person check average. Units have seating for about 125. Between 70% and 80% of the locations are franchised. Trading areas are CO, NE, TX, UT, and WY, with a Birmingham, AL location to open later this year. We featured this concept on 8/5/08 (12% growth).

Southfield, MI-based HAPPY'S PIZZA (founded 1994) has increased by 5 units, from 42 to 47 (12% growth). These take-out/delivery pizzerias are open for lunch and dinner. Catering is available. About half of units are franchised. Trading areas are MI and OH. We featured this concept on 4/15/08 (17% growth) and on 5/5/09 (14% growth).

EMERIL'S HOMEBASE INC of New Orleans, LA (founded 1990) has increased by 1 unit, from 10 to 11 (10% growth) and expanded into PA. They have added a new concept called Emeril's Chop House. Other concepts are Delmonico Steakhouse (1), Emeril's Delmonico (1), Emeril's Gulf Coast Fish House (1), Emeril's New Orleans Fish House (1), Emeril's Restaurant (3), Emeril's Tchoup Choup (1), Nola Restaurant (1) and Table 10 (1). The concepts tend to be upscale with multiple cuisines. Full bar is offered and seating is for about 200. Check averages are around $15-$50+ per person. Banquets are offered. Locations are in FL, LA, MS, NV and PA. We last reported on this concept on 3/4/08 when they had 10% growth.

Trevose, PA-based RITA'S ITALIAN ICE (founded 1984) has increased by 23 units, from 538 to 561 (4% growth) and entered into TX and WV. These are take-out ice cream shops, open for lunch and dinner hours. Per person check average is $2-$6. Seating is for 10-20. Catering and online ordering services are available. Trading areas are CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, MA, MD, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, and WV. All units are franchised. We featured this company on 2/26/08 (16% growth) and on 10/14/08 (4% growth).

Athens, GA-based ZAXBY'S (founded 1990) has increased by 14 units, from 465 to 479 (3% growth). These are family/casual restaurants, specializing in chicken fingers. Per person check average is $6-$12. Units have seating for about 90. Catering is available. Trading areas are AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN, TX, and VA. All locations are franchised. We have featured this concept 4 times in the past 18 months (3/4/08-6% growth, 7/22/08-2% growth, 10/21/08-5% growth, and 3/24/09-4% 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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