Restaurant Trends - Growing And Emerging Concepts - Data reflects change and activity from July 2, 2009 to November 2, 2009

Growing Concepts that have grown by at least 5% (if less than 50 units).
Scottsdale, AZ-based BLU BURGER GRILL (founded 2003) has increased by 1 unit, from 3 to 4 (33% growth). These are family/casual restaurants, open for lunch and dinner, with a $10-$15 per person check average. Locations have a full bar and seating for about 150. Catering is available. All units are located in AZ.

IZZO'S ILLEGAL BURRITOS based in Baton Rouge, LA (founded 2001) has increased by 1 unit, from 4 to 5 (25% growth). These are fast casual Mexican restaurants with seating for around 200. Beer and wine are served. Locations are open for lunch and dinner and catering is offered. The per person check average is around $6-$12. Franchising is available. All locations are in LA.

SANT AMBROEUS of New York, NY has increased by 1 unit, from 4 to 5 (25% growth) opening a new concept called Casa Lever. Other concepts are Felice Wine Bar (1) and Sant Ambroeus (3). These are upscale Italian restaurants with full bar and seating for around 60. The check average is around $15-$30+ per person. Catering and banquets are offered. All locations are in NY.

Baton Rouge, LA-based DEANGELO'S PIZZERIA COMPANY (founded 1991) has increased by 1 unit, from 7 to 8 (14% growth). These are family/casual Italian/pizza restaurants, open for lunch and dinner. Per person check average is $8-$20. Restaurants have a full bar and seating for about 225. Catering and private party services are available. All units are in LA.

THE NUTTY IRISHMAN of Farmingdale, NY has added a new concept called The Lark Pub and Grub, increasing from 5 to 6 units (20% company growth). Other concepts are George Keely (1), Nutty Irishman (2), T J Finley's (1) and The Dead Poet (1). These are family/casual pubs with full bar and seating for around 150. Lunch and dinner are served and catering is offered. All locations are in NY.

SAN FRANCISCO OVEN headquartered in Springfield, MO (founded 2001) has increased by 1 unit, from 7 to 8 (14% growth). These are fast casual pizza restaurants with seating for around 100. Beer and wine are served. The check average is around $4-$10 per person. Catering is offered. Locations are more than 80% franchised and are in MO, OH and TX.

Mississauga, ON-based EXTREME BRANDZ (founded 1997) has increased by 7 units for the Extreme Pita concept, from 184 to 191 (4% concept growth) and by 4 units for their Mucho Burrito concept, from 16 to 20 (25% concept growth). Overall company increase was from 200 to 211 (6% company growth). Extreme Pita is a fast casual sandwich shop, open for lunch and dinner, with a $4-$10 per person check average. Mucho Burrito serves fast casual Mexican cuisine. Catering, delivery and online ordering are available. Average unit has seating for about 30. Trading areas are AB, AZ, BC, CA, LA, MA, MB, MN, NB, ND, NL, NS, NV, ON, PQ, RI, SD, SK, TX, and WA. All locations are franchised.

MANGIA based in New York, NY (founded 1981) has added a new concept called Mangia Organic. Overall company growth is from 5 to 6 (20% growth). Other company concepts are Centro Vinoteca (1), Gusto (1) and Mangia (3). These tend to be family/casual Mediterranean restaurants with full bar and seating for around 70. Locations are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Catering and banquets are offered. The per person check average is around $4-$10. All locations are in NY.

Concepts with 20 units or less who grew by at least 2 units.
Southfield, MI-based ZOUP FRESH SOUP CO (founded 1998) has increased by 2 units, from 20 to 22 (10% growth) and entered into IN. These are fast casual soup and sandwich restaurants, open for lunch and dinner. Per person check average is $3-$8. Locations have an average seating for about 50. Catering and online ordering are available. Units are franchised and located in IN, MI, OH, and PA.

COYOTE UGLY SALOON based in New Orleans, LA (founded 1993) has increased by 3 units, from 12 to 15 (25% growth). These bars have seating for around 200. Limited snacks are available. The check average is around $8-$20 per person. Locations are in CO, FL, LA, NV, NY, OK, TN and TX.

Concepts previously written about in the past 18 months.
New York, NY-based BOBBY FLAY'S RESTAURANTS (founded 1991) has increased by 1 unit for the Bobby's Burger Palace concept, from 3 to 4 (33% concept growth) and entered into CT. Other concepts are Bar Americain (1), Bobby Flay's Steak (1), and Mesa Grill (3). Overall company increase was from 8 to 9 (13% company growth). The restaurants are mostly upscale, with a $15-$50+ per person check average. Units have a full bar and average seating for about 200. Trading areas are CT, NJ, NV, and NY. We featured this company on 5/20/09 (14% growth).

Minneapolis, MN-based BUFFALO WILD WINGS (NASDAQ: BWLD; founded 1982) has increased by 36 units, from 600 to 636 (6% growth). These are family/casual restaurants, specializing in chicken wings. Locations have a full bar and seating for about 200. Per person price range is $8-$20. Catering is available. Locations are franchised and located in AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, WI, and WV. We wrote about this company on 11/11/08 (5% growth), 3/17/09 (5% growth), and 7/21/09 (5% growth).

Wheat Ridge, CO-based QDOBA MEXICAN GRILL (founded 1995) has increased by 19 units, from 490 to 509 (4% growth). These fast casual restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, with a $4-$10 per person check average. Beer and wine are served and seating is for about 80. Catering is available. Locations are franchised and located in the states of AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI, WV, and WY. We featured this concept 3 times in the past 18 months (8/26/08-6% growth, 3/24/09-6% growth, and 7/28/09-2% growth). Qdoba is a subsidiary of San Diego, CA-based Jack in the Box restaurants.

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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