Restaurant Trends - Growing And Emerging Concepts - Change and Activity Nov 22, 2011

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

Chicago, IL-based REALLY NICE RESTAURANTS has increased by 1 unit for the Nick’s Fishmarket concept, from 1 to 2 (100% concept growth).  The company also operates The Clubhouse (1).  Overall company increase was from 2 to 3 (50% growth).  These are upscale steak and seafood restaurants, open for lunch and dinner.  Per person check average is $15-$50+, with full bar and seating for about 350.  Catering and banquet services are available.  All locations are in IL.

Charlotte, NC-based RI RA IRISH RESTAURANT & PUB(founded 1997) has increased by 1 unit, from 11 to 12 (9% growth) and entered into NV.  The restaurants are family/casual, open for lunch and dinner, with a $10-$30 per person check average.  This concept has full bar and seating for about 150.  Trading areas are GA, IN, KY, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ, NV, RI, VA, and VT.

Oak Brook, IL-based PORTILLO RESTAURANT GROUP (founded 1963) has increased by 1 unit for the Honey-Jam Café concept, from 2 to 3 (50% concept growth).  The company also operates Barnelli's (10), Luigi's House/Julian's Piano Bar (1), and Portillo's Hot Dogs (34).  Overall company increase was from 47 to 48 (2% growth).  The restaurants are family/casual, open for lunch and dinner, with a $6-$15+ per person check average.  Seating is for about 250, with full bar.  Catering and private party services are available.  Locations trade in CA, IN, and IL.

IPPOLITO'S headquartered in Roswell, GA (founded 1989) has increased by 1 unit, from 7 to 8 (14% growth) adding a new concept called Ipp’s Pastaria.  The Ippolito’s concept has 7 units.  These are family/casual Italian restaurants with seating for around 100.  Beer and wine are served.  Per person check average is around $10-$30.  Meal periods are lunch and dinner.  Catering and banquets are offered.  All locations are in GA.

REAL RESTAURANTS based in Sausalito, CA (founded 1985) has increased by 1 unit, from 12 to 13 (8% growth) adding a new concept called Bar Bocce.  Other company concepts are Betelnut (1), Bix (1), Buckeye Roadhouse (1), Bungalow 44 (1), Caffe Museo (1), Fog City Diner (1), Pan-o-rama (1), Picco (1), Pizzeria Picco (1), Pizzeria Tra Vigne (1), Tra Vigne (1) and Zero Zero (1).  These tend to be upscale restaurants with full bar and seating for around 200.  Meal periods are lunch and dinner.  Per person check average is around $15-$30+.  Catering and banquets are offered.  All locations are in CA.

LITTLE PUB COMPANY of Denver, CO (founded 1994) has increased by 1 unit, from 19 to 20 (5% growth) adding a new concept called Three Lion's.  Other company concepts are British Bulldog (1), College Inn (1), Dirk's (1), Doghouse Tavern (1), Don's Club Tavern (1), Gibby's (1), Icehouse (1), Irish Hound (1), Patrick Carroll's Irish Pub (1), Pifler's (1), Salty Rita's (1), Spot Bar & Grill (2), The Cooler (1), The Elm (1), The Old Man (1), The Pioneer (1), Three Dogs Tavern (1) and Wyman's No 5 (1).  These concepts tend to be family/casual with full bar and seating for around 100.  Meal periods are lunch and dinner.  Per person check average is around $8-$20.  All locations are in CO.

HOFFBRAU STEAK RESTAURANT based in Irving, TX (founded 1978) has increased by 1 unit, from 5 to 6 (20% growth).  These are family/casual steakhouse restaurants with full bar and seating for around 175.  Meal periods are lunch and dinner.  Per person check average is around $10-$30.  Catering and banquet services are offered.  All locations are in TX.

Emerging and Re-emerging Concepts

Concepts with 20 units or less who grew by at least 2 units.

Vancouver, BC-based VERA'S BURGER SHACK (founded 1977) has increased by 3 units, from 13 to 16 (23% growth).  These quick serve burger shops are open for lunch and dinner, with a $3-$8 per person price range.  Units seat about 40 and offer catering and online ordering services.  Locations are franchised and trade in BC and ON.

Duncansville, PA-based MEADOWS ORIGINAL FROZEN CUSTARD (founded 1950) has increased by 2 units, from 19 to 21 (11% growth).  These quick serve ice cream shops are open for lunch and dinner hours, with a $2-$6 per person price range.  Units have limited seating and drive-thru service.  Stores are franchised and trade in MD, NC, and PA.

Repeat Growers

Concepts previously written about in the past 18 months.

Colorado-based PASQUINI'S PIZZERIA (founded 1986) has increased by 1 unit, from 5 to 6 (20% growth).  The restaurants are family/casual, open for lunch and dinner.  Per person check average is $6-$12.  Locations have full bar and seating for around 200.  Catering and delivery are available.  All units are in CO.  We last featured this concept on 5/18/10 (25% growth).

Boston, MA-based WAGAMAMA (founded 1992) has increased by 8 units, from 107 to 115 (7% growth).  This is a fast casual Japanese concept, open for lunch and dinner, with a $6-$15+ per person price range.  Beer and wine are served and seating is for about 125.  Catering, delivery, private party, and online ordering services are available.  Between 30% and 40% of stores are franchised.  Trading areas are MA, Europe, Australia, and the Middle East.  We last featured this concept on 8/3/10 (2% growth) and on 11/23/10 (3% growth).

SMASHBURGER based in Denver, CO (founded 2007) has increased by 50 units, from 100 to 150 (50% growth) expanding into FL, GA and MO.  These are fast casual burger restaurants with seating for around 70.  Beer and wine are served.  Locations are more than 90% franchised and are in AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, KS, KY, LA, MI, MN, MO, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NV, OH, OK, TX and UT.  We reported on this concept on 1/25/11 (22% growth) and on 7/12/11 (8% 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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