Restaurant Trends - Growing And Emerging Concepts - Data reflects change and activity from April 30, 2009 to August 31, 2009

Growing Concepts that have grown by at least 5% (if less than 50 units).
Riverside, CA-based FARMER BOYS (founded 1981) has increased by 6 units, from 60 to 66 (10% growth). These are family/causal restaurants, serving American cuisine. Meal periods are breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a $6-$10 per person check average. Average seating is for 150. Units are franchised and located in CA and NV.

AMICI'S EAST COAST PIZZERIA based in San Mateo, CA (founded 1987) has increased by 1 unit, from 11 to 12 (9% growth). These are family/casual Italian and pizza restaurants with seating for about 70. Beer and wine are served. The check average is around $6-$12. All locations are in CA.

Wichita, KS-based FREDDY'S FROZEN CUSTARD has increased by 5 units, from 28 to 33 (18% concept growth). They also increased by 1 unit for the Timberline Steakhouse concept, from 3 to 4 (33% concept growth). Overall company increase was from 31 to 37 (19% company growth). Freddy's is a quick serve ice cream shop, open for lunch and dinner hours, with a $2-$6 per person price range. More than 80% of the locations are franchised. Timberline is a family/casual steakhouse, with a full bar and seating for 250. Company trading areas are AZ, KS, MO, OK, and TX, with Freddy's locations planned for CO, NE, and NM later this year.

Concepts with 20 units or less who grew by at least 2 units.
Kansas-based JOHNNY'S TAVERN (founded 1953) has increased by 2 units, from 6 to 8 (33% growth) and entered into MO (they also trade in KS). These are family/casual American bar and grill restaurants, open for lunch and dinner hours. Per person check average is $8-$12. All locations have a full bar and average seating for about 125. Catering is available.

FLYING BURRITO CO based in Fayetteville, AR (founded 2003) has increased by 2 units, from 3 to 5 (67% growth). These are fast casual Mexican restaurants with full bar and seating for about 50. Locations are open for lunch and dinner. Catering and banquets are offered. The check average is around $6-$12 per person. All locations are in AR.

Denver, CO-based SMASHBURGER (founded 2007) has increased by 17 units, from 12 to 29 (142% growth) and entered into ID, MN, OK, and UT. Other trading areas are CO, KS, and TX. These fast casual burger restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, with a $6-$12 per person check average. Beer and wine are served. Online ordering is available. More than 90% of units are franchised.

RAMUNTO'S SICILIAN PIZZA based in Lebanon, NH has increased by 2 units, from 6 to 8 (33% growth). These are quick serve pizza restaurants with seating for about 30. Lunch and dinner are served and beer and wine are offered. Catering is available. Locations are in NH and VT.

MY BIG FAT GREEK RESTAURANT based in Phoenix, AZ (founded 2002) has increased by 2 units, from 9 to 11 (22% growth). These are family/casual Greek restaurants with full bar and seating for 100. The per person check average is around $8-$20. Locations are open for lunch and dinner. Catering and banquets are offered. Locations are in AZ.

Concepts previously written about in the past 18 months.
Baltimore, MD-based PHILLIPS FOODS INC (founded 1956) has increased by 1 unit, from 17 to 18 (6% growth) and entered into MA. These are mostly upscale seafood restaurants, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner hours. Some units are express, located in food courts and airports. Average price per person is $10-$30. Full service units have a full bar and seating for 300+. Catering, banquet and online ordering services are available. Trading areas are DC, GA, MA, MD, NC, NJ, NY, PA, SC, and VA. We featured this concept on 12/16/08 (6% growth).

THAI SPICE of Houston, TX (founded 1996) has increased by 1 unit, from 7 to 8 (14% growth). These are Thai buffet restaurants with seating for about 150. Locations are open for lunch and dinner and beer and wine are served. Catering is offered. Locations are in TX. We last reported on this concept on 3/4/08 when they had 40% growth.

Dallas, TX-based GOLDEN CHICK (founded 1978) has increased by 2 units for the Golden Chick concept, from 84 to 86 (2% concept growth). The company also operates the 16-unit Jalapeno Tree Mexican restaurant concept. Overall company increase was from 100 to 102 (2% company growth). Golden Chick is a quick serve chicken concept, open for lunch and dinner hours, with a $3-$8 per person check average. Seating is for about 60. Catering and delivery are available. Trading areas are OK and TX. We featured this company on 4/29/08 (4% growth).

DAVE & BUSTER'S of Dallas, TX (founded 1982) has increased by 1 unit, from 53 to 54 (2% growth) and expanded into VA and IN. These are family/casual restaurants/amusement units with square footage of more than 11,000. Full bar is available. The check average is around $10-$30 per person. Lunch and dinner are served and banquets are offered. Locations are in AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, HI, IL, IN, KS, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NE, NY, OH, OK, ON, PA, RI, TN, TX and VA. We last reported on this concept on 1/27/09 (4% growth).

Dallas, TX-based RED MANGO (founded 2002) has increased by 9 units, from 46 to 55 (20% growth) and entered into AZ, IN, and TX. These are quick serve frozen yogurt shops, open for lunch and dinner hours. Per person price range is $3-$8. Seating is for about 10-20. Trading areas are AZ, CA, HI, IL, IN, NJ, NV, NY, TX, UT, and WA, with locations to open soon in MA, MN, and OH. All stores are franchised. We featured this concept on 6/17/08 (92% growth) and on 10/7/08 (56% growth). Red Mango appeared 4 times on our Top Ten Fastest Growing Concepts list (#1 April 2008, #1 July 2008, #2 January 2009, and #8 April 2009).

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

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

Logos, product and company names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

Reader Comments:

Be the first to leave a comment for this article

Tweet