Restaurant Trends - Growing And Emerging Concepts - Data reflects change and activity from June 19, 2009 to October 19, 2009

Growing Concepts that have grown by at least 5% (if less than 50 units).
Miami, FL-based BENIHANA INC (NASDAQ: BNHNA; founded 1964) has increased by 1 unit for the Benihana concept, from 85 to 86 (1% concept growth) and by 4 units for Ra Sushi Bar, from 21 to 25 (19% concept growth). The company also operates a 9-unit concept called Haru Sushi. Overall company increase was from 115 to 120 (4% company growth). These are upscale Japanese restaurant concepts, open for lunch and dinner, with a $15-$30+ per person check average. Locations have a full bar and seating for about 250. Catering is available. Eighteen percent of the restaurants are franchised. Trading areas are AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, HI, IL, IN, MD, MI, MN, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, Central and South America.

FEAST of Chicago, IL, has increased 1 unit for their Goddess and Grocer concept, from 2 to 3 (50% concept growth). These are mostly take-out locations with seating for about 50. Beer and wine are served. The per person check average is around $4-$10. Catering and banquets are offered. The second company concept is called Feast (2 units). Overall company increase is from 4 to 5 (25% company growth). All locations are in IL.

Wilmington, DE-based IRON HILL BREWERY & RESTAURANT (founded 1994) has increased by 1 unit, from 7 to 8 (14% growth), entering into NJ. Other units are in DE and PA. These are family/casual bar and grill restaurants, open for lunch and dinner. Per person check average is $8-$20. Locations have a full bar and seating for about 225. Catering and banquet services are available.

BACK BAY RESTAURANT GROUP based in Boston, MA (founded 1983) has increased 1 unit for Joe's American, from 14 to 15 (7% growth). These are family/casual restaurants with full bar and seating for about 200. Lunch and dinner are served. The per person check average is around $10-$30. Catering and banquets are offered. Other company concepts are Abe & Louie's (2), Atlantic Fish Co (1), Bouche Urban Brasserie (1), Charley's (3), Coach Grill (1), and Papa Razzi (12). Overall company increase from 34 to 35 (3% company growth). Locations are in CT, DC, FL, MA, NH, NJ, NY and RI.

Fayetteville, GA-based JOHNNY'S NY STYLE PIZZA (founded 1977) has increased by 3 units for the Johnny's NY Style Pizza concept, from 53 to 56 (6% concept growth). The company also operates a 13-unit concept called Johnny Brusco's. Overall company increase was from 66 to 69 (5% company growth). These quick serve pizza restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, with a $4-$10 per person price range. Beer and wine are served. Average unit has seating for about 90. Catering and delivery are available. Units are franchised and located in AL, AR, GA, KS, MS, NC, TN, and TX.

ADAMS RIBS of Edgewater, MD (founded 1981) has increased by 1 unit, from 5 to 6 (20% growth). These are family/casual BBQ restaurants with full bar and seating for around 125. The per person check average is around $10-$30. Lunch and dinner are served. Catering and banquets are offered. All locations are in MD.

Concepts with 20 units or less who grew by at least 2 units.
Columbia, SC-based LIZARD'S THICKET (founded 1977) has increased by 2 units, from 12 to 14 (17% growth). These are family/casual restaurants, serving American cuisine. Meal periods are breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a $6-$15+ per person check average. Locations seat about 125 and offer catering and banquet facilities. All locations are in SC.

ELLIANO'S COFFEE COMPANY based in Lake City, FL (founded 2002) has increased by 2 units, from 8 to 10 (25% growth). These are drive-thru coffee restaurants that are open for breakfast and lunch. They are 90% franchised. All locations are in FL and GA.

Concepts previously written about in the past 18 months.
Ridgeland, MS-based MCALISTER'S DELI (founded 1989) has increased by 5 units, from 288 to 293 (2% growth). These are fast casual sandwich restaurants, open for lunch and dinner. Per person check average is $4-$10. Catering and online ordering are available. Average unit has seating for about 150. Locations are franchised and trade in the states of AL, AR, CO, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MI, MO, MS, NC, NM, OH, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, and WY. We featured this company on 7/22/08 (4% growth) and on 7/14/09 (3% growth).

TACO CASA of Gainesville, TX has increased 1 unit, from 33 to 34 (3% growth). These are quick serve Mexican restaurants with seating for around 50. Lunch and dinner are served. The check average is around $3-$8 per person. Catering and drive-thru are offered. Franchising is available. Locations are in OK and TX. We wrote about this concept on 2/6/09 when they had 6% growth.

Edmonton, AB-based BOOSTER JUICE (founded 1999) has increased by 10 units, from 209 to 219 (5% growth). These are take-out juice/smoothie cafes, with a $3-$8 per person price range. Catering is available. Trading areas are AB, AZ, BC, CA, FL, ID, MB, NB, NL, NS, NY, ON, OR, PQ, SK, TX, UT, WA, India, The Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. We featured this concept on 2/24/09 (8% growth) and on 6/30/09 (7% growth).

SAKURA JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE of Ellicott City, MD (founded 1988) has increased 1 unit, from 19 to 20 (5% growth) and expanded into CA. These are upscale Japanese restaurants with full bar and seating for about 150. Lunch and dinner are served. The check average is around $15-$30+ per person. Catering and banquets are offered. Locations are in CA, MD, NJ and VA. We last reported on this concept on 8/12/08 when they had 6% 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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