Growing Concepts of Multi Unit Operators

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

Delaware-based LA TONALTECA (founded 1993) has increased by 1 unit for the La Tonalteca concept, from 8 to 9 (13% concept growth).  The company also operates a 4-unit concept called La Tolteca.  Overall company increase was from 12 to 13 (8% company growth).  These family/casual Mexican concepts are open for lunch and dinner, with an $8-$20+ per person check average.  Locations have full bar service and average seating for about 100.  Online ordering is available.  The restaurants trade in DE, NY and PA.

Jacksonville, FL-based LOOP PIZZA GRILL (founded 1981) has increased by 1 unit, from 13 to 14 (8% growth).  The restaurants are family/casual, open for lunch and dinner, with a $6-$15+ per person check average. Locations serve beer and wine and seat about 100.  Locations are franchised and trade in FL and NC.

Cincinnati, OH-based GRAETER\’S ICE CREAM (founded 1870) has increased by 10 units, from 41 to 51 (24% growth) and entered into IL. These quick serve ice cream shops are open for lunch and dinner hours, with a $4-$12+ per person price range.  Limited seating is available.  The shops offer catering services.  Trading areas are IL, IN, KY and OH.  Locations are franchised.

St Paul, MN-based GREEN MILL RESTAURANTS (founded 1935) has increased by 2 units for the Crooked Pint Ale concept, from  2 to 4 (100% concept growth).  The company also operates the 27-unit Green Mill concept.  The restaurants are family/casual, open for lunch and dinner, serving Italian andn American cuisines.  Per person check average is $8-$20+, with full bar service and average seating for about 250.  Catering, delivery and online ordering options are available.  Locations are franchised and trade in KS, MN, ND and WI.

Metairie, LA-based CARRETA\’S GRILL (founded 2003) has increased by 1 unit, from 3 to 4 (33% growth). These family/casual Mexican cuisine restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, with an $8-$20+ per person check average. Full bar service is available and seating is for about 50. Locations are in LA.  

Brampton, ON-based MANDARIN RESTAURANT FRANCHISE CORP (founded 1979) has increased by 5 units, from 21 to 26 (24% growth). These Chinese buffets are open for lunch and dinner, with an $8-$20+ per person check average. Full bar service is available and seating is for about 300. The restaurants are located in ON.

Austin, TX-based MANGIA CHICAGO STUFFED PIZZA (founded 1988) has increased by 1 unit, from 2 to 3 (50% growth). These family/casual Italian and pizza restaurants are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a $6-$15+ per person check average. Full bar service as well as catering is available and seating is for about 150.  Locations are in TX.

Holliston, MA-based MANGIA NEAPOLITAN PIZZA (founded 2003) has increased 1 unit, from 8 to 9 (13% growth). These fast/casual Italian style restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, with a $6-$15+ per person check average. Beer and wine are offered and seating is for about 50. Catering services are also available. Trading areas are MA and RI.  

Knoxville, TN-based COPPER CELLAR CORPORATION (founded 1975) has increased by 1 unit, for their Copper Cellar concept, from 2 to 3 (50% concept growth), for an overall company increase from 16 to 17 (6% growth). Other company concepts include: Calhoun\’s (8), Cherokee Grill (1), Chesapeake\’s Seafood House (1) and Smoky Mountain Brewery & Restaurant (4). These family/casual restaurants offer steak, seafood and American cuisines and are open for lunch and dinner. Per person check average is $10-$30+.  Full bar service is available as well as catering and seating is for about 250.  All the restaurants are located in TN.

Emerging and Re-emerging Concepts

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

New Orleans, LA-based BESH RESTAURANT GROUP has added 2 new concepts called Shaya and Willa Jean. Other company concepts are August (1), Besh Steak (1), Borgne (1), Domenica (1), Johnny Sanchez (2), La Provence (1), Lüke (2) and Pizza Domenica (1). Overall company increase was from 10 to 12 (20% growth).  The restaurants concepts are upscale, serving multiple cuisine types.  Per person check average is $15-$50+, with full bar and seating for about 200.  Catering and banquet services are available. Trading areas are LA, MD and TX.  

Phoenix, AZ-based LOLO\’S CHICKEN & WAFFLES (founded 2002) has increased by 3 units, from 4 to 7 (75% growth) and entered into NE and NV.  This family/casual concept is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with an $8-$20+ per person check average.  The restaurants have full bar service and average seating for about 150.  Catering is available.  The locations are franchised and trade in AZ, NE and NV.

Baltimore, MD-based HIP HOP FISH & CHICKEN has increased by 7 units from 13 to 20 (54% growth). These quick serve chicken restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, with a $4-$12+ per person check average. Seating is for about 30. Trading areas are DC and MD.

Hartford, CT-based HARTFORD RESTAURANT GROUP (founded 2002) has increased by 1 unit for their Wood N Tap concept, from 7 to 8 (22% concept growth) and added a new concept, Agave Canteen (1) for an overall company increase from 9 to 11 (20% growth). Other company concepts include: Agave Grill (1) and Td Homer\’s Sports Grill (1). These family/casual American dining restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, with a $10-$30+ per person check average. Full bar service as well as catering is available and seating is for about 150.  All the restaurants are located in CT.

Repeat Growers

Concepts previously written about in the past 18 months.
 

Atlanta, GA-based UNCLE MADDIO\’S PIZZA JOINT (founded 2009) has increased by 3 units, from 44 to 47 (7% growth) and entered into MD.  This fast casual pizzeria concept is open for lunch and dinner, with a $6-$15+ per person check average.  Beer and wine are served and seating is for about 70.  Catering is available.  Trading areas are AL, AR, CO, FL, GA, KY, MD, NC, ND, NE, PA, SC, TN, TX and VA.  We last wrote about this concept on 11/3/15 (26% growth).