Restaurant Trends - Growing And Emerging Concepts - Change and Activity Feb 21, 2012

Growing Concepts  Concepts that have grown by at least 5% (if less than 50 units). Sandy, UT-based RODIZIO GRILL (founded 1995) has increased by 1 unit, from 4 to 5 (25% growth) and entered into FL.  Other trading areas are CO and UT.  This is an upscale Brazilian steakhouse concept, open for lunch and dinner.  Per person check average is $15-$30+, with full bar and seating for about 200.  Banquet services are provided.  

Metairie, LA-based AL COPELAND INVESTMENTS (founded 1983) has increased by 2 units for the Copeland’s of New Orleans concept, from 18 to 20 (11% concept growth).  The company also operates Copeland's Cheesecake Bistro (5) and Improv Comedy Theater (6).  Overall company increase was from 29 to 31 (7% growth).  The restaurants are family/casual, open for lunch and dinner, with a $10-$30 per person check average.  Full bar is served and seating is for about 300.  Cuisine is American.  Catering and banquet services are available.  Company trading areas are AR, CA, FL, GA, LA, MD, PA, and TX.

FOOD MANAGEMENT INVESTORS of Minot, NC has increased by 1 unit for their Badlands concept, from 1 to 2 (100% growth).  These are family/casual restaurants with full bar and seating for around 200.  Meal periods are lunch and dinner.  Catering is offered.  Other company concepts are Applebee's (24), Space Aliens Grill & Bar (2) and Village Inn (2).  Overall company increase is from 29 to 30 (3% company growth).  Locations are in AZ, CA, MN and ND.

FRANK PEPE'S PIZZERIA based in Southington, CT (founded 1925) has increased by 1 unit, from 6 to 7 (17% growth).  These are family/casual Italian and Pizza restaurants with seating for around 50.  Beer and wine are served.  Meal periods are lunch and dinner.  Per person check average is around $6-$12.  Locations are in CT and NY.

GORDO TAQUERIA of San Francisco, CA (founded 1977) has increased by 1 unit, from 5 to 6 (20% growth).  These are mostly take-out Mexican restaurants with limited seating.  Meal periods are lunch and dinner.  Per person check average is from $2-$6.  All locations are in CA.

Emerging and Re-emerging Concepts

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

New York, NY-based ROSA MEXICANO (founded 1984) has increased by 4 units, from 10 to 14 (40% growth) and entered into MN and Panama.  This is an upscale Mexican restaurant concept, open for lunch and dinner.  Per person check average is $15-$50+.  The restaurants have full bar service and seating for around 200.  Catering and banquet facilities are available.  Trading areas are CA, DC, FL, GA, MD, MN, NJ, NY, and Panama.

Long Beach, CA-based SUPER MEX RESTAURANT (founded 1974) has increased by 2 units, from 14 to 16 (14% growth).  The restaurants are family/casual, open for lunch and dinner, with a $6-$15+ per person price range.  Locations have full bar and seating for around 100.  Catering and online ordering are available.  Units are franchised and trade in CA and NV.

HASH HOUSE A GO GO based in Las Vegas, NV has increased by 2 units, from 4 to 6 (50% growth).  These are family/casual restaurants with seating for around 100.  Beer and wine are served.  Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served.  Per person check average is around $6-$15+.  Catering and banquets are offered.  Locations are in CA and NV.

Repeat Growers

Concepts previously written about in the past 18 months. 

Broomfield, CO-based NOODLES & CO (founded 1995) has increased by 22 units, from 274 to 296 (8% growth).  This is a fast casual concept, open for lunch and dinner.  Per person check average is $6-$12.  Most units serve beer and wine (full bar is available at select locations).  Seating is for around 90.  Trading areas are CA, CO, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, ND, NE, OH, OR, PA, TN, TX, UT, VA, and WI.  We last featured this concept on 9/8/10 (2% growth) and on 8/30/11 (2% growth).

Jacksonville, FL-based FIREHOUSE SUBS (founded 1994) has increased by 49 units, from 457 to 506 (11% growth) and entered into IA, MA, MI, and Puerto Rico.  This quick serve sandwich shop is open for lunch and dinner, with a $3-$8 per person price range.  Units seat about 20 and offer catering and online ordering services.  Stores are franchised and trade in AL, AR, AZ, CO, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NM, NV, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WV, and Puerto Rico.  We featured this concept on 12/14/10 (4% growth) and on 8/30/11 (6% growth).

Portland, OR-based MIO SUSHI has increased by 1 unit, from 11 to 12 (9% growth).  The restaurants are family/casual, open for lunch and dinner.  Per person check average is $10-$30, serving beer and wine.  Units seat about 60 and offer catering service.  Trading areas are OR and WA.  Franchising is available.  We wrote about this concept on 1/25/11 (11% growth) and on 6/21/11 (10% growth).

CHICKEN EXPRESS of Weatherford, TX (founded 1988) has increased by 1 unit, from 166 to 167 (1% growth).  These are quick serve restaurants with seating for around 40.  Meal periods are lunch and dinner.  Per person check average is around $3-$8.  Catering and drive thru services are available.  Locations are in AR, GA, LA, OK and TX.  We last reported on this concept on 12/6/11 when they had 2% 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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