Restaurant Trends - Growing And Emerging Concepts - Change and Activity Jan 3, 2012

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

Hattiesburg, MS-based MUGSHOTS GRILL & BAR (founded 2004) has increased by 1 unit, from 6 to 7 (17% growth).  These family/casual restaurants serve American cuisine and are open for lunch and dinner.  Per person check average is $6-$15+.  The restaurants seat about 125.  Locations are in AL, LA, and MS.  

Fort Myers, FL-based BLU SUSHI (founded 2003) has increased by 1 unit, from 2 to 3 (50% growth).  This is an upscale sushi concept, open for lunch and dinner.  Per person check average is from $15-$30+, serving full bar.  The restaurants have seating for around 60 and offer catering, banquet, and delivery services.  All locations are in FL.

Charlotte, NC-based SALSARITA'S FRESH CANTINA (founded 2000) has increased by 2 units, from 77 to 79 (3% growth).  These fast casual Mexican restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, with a $6-$15+ per person check average.  Restaurants have seating for around 80, serving beer and wine (full bar is available at select locations).  Catering and online ordering are available.  Units are franchised and trade in AL, FL, GA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MO, MS, NC, NJ, NY, OH, SC, TN, TX, and VA.

BIG CITY BURRITO of Fort Collins, CO (founded 1994) has increased by 1 unit, from 11 to 12 (9% growth).  These are fast casual Mexican restaurants with seating for around 50.  Beer and wine are served.  Meal periods are lunch and dinner.  Per person check average is around $3-$8.  Catering and patio seating are offered.  Locations are more than 90% franchised and are located in CO, HI and NE.

RUDY'S TACOS based in Davenport, IA (founded 1973) has increased by 1 unit, from 12 to 13 (8% growth).  These are fast casual Mexican restaurants with seating for around 60.  Beer and wine are served.  Meal periods are lunch and dinner.  Per person check average is around $6-$12.  Catering is offered.  Locations are more than 90% franchised.  All locations are in IA and IL

Emerging and Re-emerging Concepts

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

Austin, TX-based ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE CINEMA (founded 1997) has increased by 3 units, from 11 to 14 (27% growth) and entered into CO.  This is a family/casual restaurant/movie theater.  Cuisine is American, open for dinner only, with a $6-$12 per person check average.  Locations have full bar and seat around 200.  Private party facilities are available.  Locations are franchised and trade in CO, TX, and VA.

Gardena, CA-based GYU-KAKU has increased by 6 units, from 12 to 18 (50% growth) and entered into BC.  This is an upscale Japanese concept, open for lunch and dinner.  Per person check average is $15-$30+, serving full bar.  Seating is for about 200.  Banquet facilities are available.  Trading areas are BC, CA, HI, IL, and NY.

TEXAS DE BRAZIL CHURRASCARIA based in Dallas, TX (founded 1998) has increased by 5 units, from 17 to 22 (29% growth) and expanded into MI and NY.  These are upscale restaurants with full bar and seating for around 200.  Meal periods are lunch and dinner.  Per person check average is around $15-$50+.  Banquets and catering are offered.  Locations are in CO, FL, IL, LA, MI, NV, NY, TN, TX, VA, Aruba, Puerto Rico and Trinidad.

Repeat Growers

Concepts previously written about in the past 18 months.

New York, NY-based B.R. GUEST RESTAURANTS (founded 1987) has increased by 1 unit for Atlantic Grill, from 2 to 3 (50% concept growth), 2 to 3 for Bill’s Bar & Burger (50% concept growth), 6 to 7 for Dos Caminos (17% concept growth), and added Kibo (1) and Sammy D’s (1).  The company also acquired 2 Strip House locations.  Other company concepts are 1920 Bunker Club (1), 675 Bar (1), Blue Fin (1), Blue Water Grill (1), Fiamma Trattoria (1), Isabella's (1), Ocean Grill (1), Primehouse New York (1), Ruby Foo's (1), and Wildwood Bbq (1).  Overall company increase was from 21 to 27 (29% growth), due to closing of 1 Wildwood Bbq unit.  The company has now entered into NJ.  Other trading areas are FL, NV, and NY.  These are upscale restaurant concepts, open for lunch and dinner (some open for breakfast).  Per person check average is $15-$50+.  The restaurants have full bar and seating for around 250.  Catering and banquet services are available.  We last featured this company on 6/7/11 (11% growth).

Berwyn, IL-based BUONA RESTAURANTS (founded 1980) has increased by 1 unit for the Buona Beef concept, from 13 to 14 (8% concept growth).  Other company concepts are Brett Favre's Steakhouse (1) and Joey Buona's Pizzeria (1).  Overall company increase was from 15 to 16 (7% growth).  Buona Beef is a fast casual Italian concept, open for lunch and dinner.  Per person price range is $6-$12, serving beer and wine.  Units seat about 50.  Catering, delivery, online ordering and private party services are all available.  Trading areas are IL and WI.  We last wrote about this company on 2/8/11 (8% growth).

Chicago, IL-based FRANCESCA'S RESTAURANTS (founded 1992) has increased by 1 unit for the Mia Francesca concept, from 3 to 4 (33% concept growth) and added a new concept called Davanti Enoteca.  The company also operates Francesca's (19) and La Sorella Di Francesca (1).  Overall company increase was from 23 to 25 (9% growth).  These are upscale Italian restaurant concepts, open for lunch and dinner, with a $15-$50+ per person check average.  Full bar is served and seating is for about 150.  Catering and banquet facilities are available.  The company has now entered into NC.  Other trading areas are AZ, CA, IL, and WI.  We wrote about this company on 10/26/10 (5% growth) and on 4/19/11 (10% growth).

GRIMALDI'S COAL BRICK-OVEN PIZZERIA based in Scottsdale, AZ (founded 1931) has increased by 12 units, from 21 to 33 (57% growth).  These are family/casual restaurants with full bar and seating for around 125.  Meal periods are lunch and dinner.  Catering and banquets are offered.  Trading areas are AZ, FL, NJ, NV, NY and TX.  We last reported on this concept on 2/22/11 (11% 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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