Restaurant Trends - Growing And Emerging Concepts - Change and Activity Feb 7, 2012

Growing Concepts  Concepts that have grown by at least 5% (if less than 50 units). Albuquerque, NM-based FLYING STAR CAFE (founded 1987) has increased by 1 unit for the Satellite Coffee concept, from 8 to 9 (13% concept growth).  The company also operates 9 Flying Star Cafe locations.  Overall company increase was from 17 to 18 (6% company growth).  These are family/casual restaurant concepts, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Cuisine is American and per person price range is $4-$10.  Units serve beer and wine and have seating for about 100.  Catering and private party services are available.  All units are in NM.

Atlanta, GA-based WILLY'S MEXICANA GRILL (founded 1995) has increased by 1 unit, from 19 to 20 (5% growth) and entered into FL.  All other units are in GA.  The restaurants are fast casual, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a $4-$10 per person price range.  Units seat about 60 and beer and wine are served.  Catering and online ordering services are available.  

Miami, FL-based POLLO TROPICAL (founded 1988) has increased by 6 units, from 120 to 126 (5% growth).  These fast casual chicken restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, with a $4-$10 per person price range.  Units seat about 50 and offer catering and online ordering service.  Locations are franchised and trade in FL, GA, NJ, Puerto Rico, Bahamas, and South America.  Pollo Tropical is a subsidiary of Syracuse, NY-based Carrolls Corp.

DONNA'S CARIBBEAN RESTAURANT of Laud Lakes, FL has increased by 1 unit, from 4 to 5 (25% growth).  These are family/casual Caribbean restaurants with seating for around 50.  Meal periods are breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Per person check average is around $6-$12.  Catering is available.  All locations are in FL.  

Emerging and Re-emerging Concepts

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

Orlando, FL-based EARL OF SANDWICH (founded 2004) has increased by 4 units, from 13 to 17 (31% growth) and entered into NJ, NY, and PA.  These are fast casual sandwich shops, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a $4-$10 per person price range.  Units have seating for about 100.  Catering and online ordering options are available.  Units are franchised and trade in FL, MA, MI, NJ, NV, NY, PA, TX, London, and France.

Minneapolis, MN-based D'AMICO & PARTNERS (founded 1984) has increased by 2 units, from 18 to 20 (11% growth), with the addition of two new concepts called Gather and Parma 8200.  Other company concepts are Café & Bar Lurcat (2), Campiello (2), D'amico & Sons (12), D'amico Kitchen (1), and Masa (1).  These are mainly upscale restaurant concepts, open for  lunch and dinner hours.  Restaurants serve multiple cuisine types.  A full bar is available and seating is for about 200.  Catering and banquet services are offered.  Trading areas are FL and MN.

CITY BARBEQUE based in Dublin, OH (founded 1999) has increased by 3 units, from 18 to 21 (17% growth).  These are family/casual BBQ restaurants with seating for around 100.  Beer and wine are served.  Per person check average is around $6-$15+.  Meal periods are lunch and dinner.  Catering, banquets and franchising are available.  Locations are in IN, KY and OH.

Repeat Growers

Concepts previously written about in the past 18 months.

Columbus, OH-based BRAVO BRIO RESTAURANT GROUP(NASDAQ:BBRG; founded 1981) has increased by 6 units for the Brio Tuscan Grille concept, from 42 to 48 (14% concept growth) and entered into UT.  Other concepts are Bravo Cucina Italiana (47) and Bon Vie (1).  Overall company increase was from 90 to 96 (7% growth).  These are upscale Italian restaurant concepts, open for lunch and dinner.  Per person check average is $15-$30+.  Locations have full bar and seating for about 200.  Catering and banquet services are available.  Trading areas are AL, AR, AZ, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, PA, TN, TX, UT, VA, and WI.  We last featured this company on 1/11/11 (2% growth).  

Lone Tree, CO-based THE EGG & I (founded 1987) has increased by 9 units, from 43 to 52 (21% growth) and entered into AR, AZ, KS, and WI.  These family/casual restaurants are open for breakfast and lunch, serving American cuisine.  Per person check average is $4-$10.  Units have seating for about 125 and offer private party services.  Locations are franchised and trade in AL, AR, AZ, CO, KS, NE, TX, UT, WI, and WY.  We featured this concept on 11/2/10 (8% growth) and on 8/23/11 (2% growth).

BUSH'S CHICKEN based in Robinson, TX has increased by 5 units, from 42 to 47 (12% growth).  These are quick serve restaurants with seating for around 30.  Meal periods are lunch and dinner.  Per person check average is around $2-$6.  Catering, drive-thru and franchising are offered.  All locations are in TX.  We reported on this concept on 2/8/11 (14% growth) and on 9/13/11 (2% growth).

CHRONIC TACOS based in San Clemente, CA (founded 2001) has increased by 4 units, from 34 to 38 (12% growth).  These are fast casual Mexican restaurants with seating for around 30.  Meal periods are breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Per person check average is around $4-$10.  Drive-thru and patio seating are available.  There is a second company concept called Chronic Cantina (3 units).  Overall company growth is from 37 to 41 (11% growth).  Locations are more than 90% franchised and are in AZ, BC, CA, ID and NV.  We last reported on this company on 2/22/11 (20% company growth).

ELEVATION BURGER of Arlington, VA (founded 2005) has increased by 7 units, from 28 to 35 (25% growth) and expanded into ME.  These are fast casual restaurants with seating for around 70.  Meal periods are lunch and dinner.  Per person check average is around $6-$12.  Locations are more than 90% franchised and are in CA, FL, MD, ME, NJ, NY, PA, VA and TX.  We wrote about this concept on 4/26/11 (88% growth) and on 10/18/11 (87% 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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