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Month: June 2026

U.S. Restaurant Opening Cross-Tab Analysis: January- June 2026 Semi-Annual Report

Published: June 30, 2026
Source: Restaurantdata.com Proprietary Research

Key Findings

Restaurantdata.com tracked 9,541 restaurant opening and development records during the first six months of 2026. Activity was concentrated in the Southwest, Southeast, and West. Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Antonio, San Francisco, Dallas, Austin, San Diego, Miami, and Brooklyn ranked among the most active city markets.

Metric Count Share of Total
Total tracked records9,541100.0%
New openings8,68791.0%
Independent restaurants5,82061.0%
Micro / emerging multi-unit operators1,64317.2%
Multi-unit / chain operators2,05121.7%
Other / pending operator classification270.3%
Full bar records3,17633.3%
Beer / wine records1,11611.7%
No alcohol / not reported5,24955.0%
Shopping center / mixed-use locations6,20565.0%
Free-standing locations2,01121.1%

Restaurantdata.com analyzed U.S. restaurant opening activity from January through June 2026. The review includes new openings, ownership transfers, relocations, reopenings, and development-stage restaurant signals tracked during the first half of the year.

This report breaks down activity by geography, cuisine, location type, service segment, operator type, alcohol status, source type, month, and city. The analysis shows where restaurant development is occurring, which formats are expanding, and which early signals help identify market movement before a location opens.

Key Findings from the January–June 2026 Restaurant Opening Analysis

1. Restaurant opening activity was concentrated in the Sun Belt and West.

The Southwest accounted for 2,526 records (26.5%) of all tracked restaurant activity. The Southeast followed with 2,418 records (25.3%). The West accounted for 2,397 records (25.1%). Together, these three regions represented 76.9% of all tracked activity.

2. Shopping centers and mixed-use developments were the leading location formats.

Shopping center and mixed-use developments accounted for 6,205 records (65.0%) of tracked activity. Free-standing buildings represented 2,011 records. Other activity came from hotels, residential mixed-use projects, airports, entertainment venues, and other location types.

3. Independent restaurants remained the largest operator segment.

Independent restaurants accounted for 5,820 records (61.0%) of total activity. Multi-unit and chain operators represented 2,051 records (21.5%). Micro and emerging multi-unit operators accounted for 1,643 records (17.2%). Another 27 records (0.3%) were classified as other or pending operator classification.

4. Houston led all tracked city markets.

Houston produced 265 records during the first half of 2026. Other active markets included Los Angeles, New York, San Antonio, San Francisco, Dallas, Austin, San Diego, Miami, and Brooklyn.

5. Casual and family dining was the largest service segment.

Casual and family dining represented 4,605 records (48.3%) of all tracked activity. Fast casual accounted for 1,993 records (20.9%). Quick service represented 1,507 records (15.8%). Other service segments, including upscale dining and additional restaurant formats, accounted for the remaining records.

6. Restaurant opening intelligence depends on multiple source types.

DBA, fictitious-name, and incorporation filings accounted for 4,480 records (46.9%) of tracked activity. Regional news and publication monitoring represented 2,591 records (27.2%). Alcohol filings accounted for 1,673 records (17.5%). Building permits represented 765 records (8.0%). Other source types accounted for the remaining records.

7. Raw filings are only the starting point.

Many filings and source mentions do not become valid restaurant-opening records. More than half of raw filings and discovered records are removed or reclassified during review because they may be duplicate filings, re-filings, inactive entities, address corrections, ownership records with no operating change, or records that do not reflect a true restaurant opening or development event.

Research and verification note: Restaurantdata.com does not publish raw filing activity as final restaurant-opening data. Raw sources alone without human vetting can produce a nightmare scenario where sales reps are chasing bogus activity.

Records are reviewed by our staff before inclusion. The research process may include outreach, phone verification, location confirmation, neighborhood review, cuisine classification, service-type review, alcohol-status review when available, and operator-level research.

City-Level Restaurant Opening Activity

The highest city-level activity was led by Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Antonio, San Francisco, Dallas, Austin, San Diego, Miami, and Brooklyn. The data reflects strong Texas activity, continued California development, Florida growth, and dense urban activity in New York City markets.

City State Records Share Independent % Full Bar % SC / Mixed-Use %
HoustonTX2652.8%66%28%73%
Los AngelesCA1781.9%85%35%78%
New YorkNY1461.5%60%51%29%
San AntonioTX1451.5%57%32%63%
San FranciscoCA1411.5%73%30%75%
DallasTX1321.4%62%33%74%
AustinTX1221.3%55%33%67%
San DiegoCA941.0%63%40%83%
MiamiFL931.0%62%38%72%
BrooklynNY921.0%68%39%46%

Regional Restaurant Opening Activity

Region definitions: Restaurantdata.com groups markets into five reporting regions for analytical consistency. Texas markets are included in the Southwest region. Florida markets are included in the Southeast region.

Region Records Share of Total
Southwest2,52626.5%
Southeast2,41825.3%
West2,39725.1%
Northeast1,36714.3%
Midwest8338.7%

The Southwest, Southeast, and West were the three largest regions by activity. Together, they accounted for 76.9% of tracked restaurant opening and development records.

Cuisine by Location Type

Cuisine Free Standing SC / Mixed-Use Mixed Residential Total
American4349861751,773
Mexican / Latin312710501,128
Coffee / Tea11237935564
Bar Food11832730507
Pizza6830723412
Asian3725127331
Chicken1061826314
Italian4418730284
Burger851363238
Japanese2516022215

Shopping center and mixed-use locations led across most major cuisine categories. Chicken and Burger concepts showed stronger free-standing activity than most other categories.

Cuisine by Region

Cuisine Northeast Southeast Midwest Southwest West Total
American3455372372673871,773
Mexican / Latin115259884132531,128
Coffee / Tea5315841170142564
Bar Food766622165178507
Pizza561105088108412
Asian36642368140331

American concepts led nationally with 1,773 records. Mexican / Latin concepts followed with 1,128 records. Mexican / Latin activity was highest in the Southwest.

Location Type by Region

Region Free Standing SC / Mixed-Use Mixed Residential Hotel Other
Northeast1947662973179
Southeast5981,53811270100
Midwest231474801830
Southwest6731,6524629126
West3551,77510857102

Shopping center and mixed-use openings led in every region. The West had the highest shopping center / mixed-use count. The Southwest had the highest free-standing count.

Service Segment by Region

Service Segment Northeast Southeast Midwest Southwest West Total Share
Casual / Family7441,2324299211,2794,60548.3%
Fast Casual2575911954544961,99320.9%
Quick Serve1634001155862431,50715.8%
Upscale Dining13112958871445495.8%
Other service segments7266364782358879.3%

Operator Type by Region

Operator Type Northeast Southeast Midwest Southwest West Total Share
Independent8071,3854171,5491,6625,82061.0%
Micro / Emerging Multi-Unit2664612073393701,64317.2%
Multi-Unit / Chain2895692016333592,05121.5%
Other / Pending Classification53856270.3%

Source Type by Month

Source Type Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Total Share
DBA / Fictitious / Incorporation Filing3049079667098547404,48046.9%
Regional / News Publication3931244026495704532,59127.2%
Alcohol Filing2713692682632472551,67317.5%
Building Permit104961122241171127658.0%
Other / Multiple Source Types7311812320.3%

Monthly Restaurant Opening Activity

Month Records Share of Total
January1,07911.3%
February1,49915.7%
March1,74918.3%
April1,86319.5%
May1,78918.8%
June1,56216.4%

Activity increased after January and reached its highest point in April. May remained strong. June moderated but still represented 16.4% of first-half activity.

What These Findings Mean for Restaurant Suppliers and Sales Teams

The first-half 2026 data shows where restaurant industry demand is forming. Suppliers, distributors, technology companies, equipment manufacturers, POS providers, recruiters, real estate firms, investors, and sales teams should continue watching the Southwest, Southeast, and West.

Independent restaurants remain the largest source of restaurant activity. They represented 61.0% of tracked records. This matters because many independent openings do not appear through chain announcements. They are often first visible through filings, permits, licenses, and local sources.

Shopping centers and mixed-use projects also remain central to restaurant development. They accounted for 65.0% of tracked records. Companies selling into the restaurant market should monitor retail center redevelopment, landlord activity, tenant improvement permits, and mixed-use projects alongside public restaurant announcements.

Methodology

Source categories include DBA and fictitious-name filings, incorporation and LLC filings, alcohol license applications, building and construction permits, planning and zoning activity, regional publications, local business news, restaurant announcements, and additional market research sources. More than half of raw filings, new articles and discovered source records are removed or reclassified during review.

Combining these sources provides a more complete view of the market than relying on one source alone.

Classification Note: The analyses presented throughout this report examine the same dataset from different perspectives, including opening status, operator type, service segment, alcohol service, location type, geography, and source type. Individual tables summarize their respective categories and are not intended to total 100% across different sections. Minor differences may also occur where records are pending classification, fall into other categories, or result from rounding.

Continue Exploring Restaurant Opening Research

These related reports provide historical benchmarks, annual comparisons, monthly opening counts, and methodology context for restaurant opening research.

2020–2025 Restaurant Opening Cross-Tab Analysis

Review six years of restaurant opening trends, geographic shifts, cuisine changes, and development patterns across the United States. This analysis provides context for comparing 2026 activity with prior years.

2025 New Restaurant Openings Report

Review Restaurantdata.com’s annual analysis of restaurant openings during 2025, including cuisine rankings, regional growth, operator types, construction trends, and market observations from a full year of tracked activity.

2024 New Restaurant Openings Report

Compare first-half 2026 activity with the complete 2024 annual report to identify longer-term growth patterns, emerging markets, and changing restaurant development trends.

Monthly Restaurant Opening Counts

Review monthly U.S. restaurant opening activity and related context on how Restaurantdata.com tracks filings, openings, ownership changes, relocations, and development-stage restaurant signals.

Pre-Opening Restaurant Leads FAQs

Learn how Restaurantdata.com tracks pre-opening restaurants, development projects, permit activity, alcohol filings, incorporations, and other early expansion signals used by sales, marketing, and business development professionals.

Continue Your Research

This article is part of the RestaurantData Research Center, where RestaurantData publishes research based on verified restaurant openings, expansion activity, executive changes, operator records, and market intelligence.

The Research Center brings together RestaurantData reports, methodologies, and analysis in one place for readers following restaurant industry development and company movement.

Usage & Distribution Terms

This report may be shared and distributed on a non-exclusive, royalty-free basis, provided that full attribution is given to Restaurantdata.com and no modifications are made to the data, findings, tables, charts, or conclusions.

No resale, republication as a paid product, database extraction, scraping, data harvesting, bulk copying, or use of this report to create or enhance a competing commercial database, lead product, market research product, or restaurant intelligence platform is permitted without prior written consent from Restaurantdata.com.

Preferred citation: “Source: Restaurantdata.com, U.S. Restaurant Opening Cross-Tab Analysis, January–June 2026, published June 30, 2026.”

Restaurant Opening Signals Report: 1,188 Filings Across 49 States

RestaurantData.com

Signals Report

1,188 location filings  ·  49 states  ·  72 regions  ·  Three-week period ending June 25, 2026
Analysis

Key Observations

01

Volume moderates but Texas dominance holds

Total filings declined to 1,188 from 1,525 the prior period, a 22% drop consistent with typical mid-period variation. Texas recorded 357 filings, representing 30% of the national total. Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston-Galveston, and the Austin/San Antonio corridor together account for most of the state’s volume.

02

Casual dining reasserts its lead

Casual/family concepts returned to 50% of all filings, recovering from 43% last period as quick serve held steady at 22%. Fast casual and quick serve remain close, reflecting continued format-level competition in the mid-market.

03

New York surges to fourth, South Carolina enters the top ten

New York posted 144 filings, driven by significant Brooklyn-Queens-Staten Island activity. South Carolina entered the top ten at 21 filings, with a below-average single-unit share indicating stronger chain presence relative to other top-ten states.

04

Single-unit share softens slightly

748 of 1,188 filings, or 63%, are independent and single-unit owner/operators with no known chain or multi-unit affiliation, down from the prior two periods. Nevada and New York reached the highest single-unit shares among the top ten states, while South Carolina and Texas remained lower.

05

Anchored retail environments maintain their hold

Mixed-use and shopping center locations account for 850 filings combined, or 72%, the highest anchored share across the periods tracked. Freestanding locations fell to 226, or 19%.

Period Summary
1,188Net new location filings tracked
49States with net new activity
63%Single-unit owner/operators
Leaderboard

Top 5 States

TX
357 (30.1%)
CA
208 (17.5%)
FL
172 (14.5%)
NY
144 (12.1%)
NC
47 (4.0%)
Format Mix

Service Type Distribution

Casual/Family (50%)
594
Fast Casual (23%)
274
Quick Serve (22%)
266
Upscale Dining (4%)
50
Buffet (<1%)
4
State Analysis

Top 10 States by Service Type

Casual/family dining leads across all states, returning to its prior share after an uptick in quick serve last period. Texas continues to post the highest QSR volume. South Carolina enters the top ten for the first time.

StateTotalCasualFast CasualQSRUpscaleOther / UnclassifiedSingle Unit %
TX357126728576754%
CA208109422282774%
FL1727745422666%
NY1447627304782%
NC472110104262%
GA2913653252%
OH2915571161%
LA239590078%
NV2311730282%
SC2111541048%

Note: “Other / Unclassified” includes service formats outside the listed categories or records where service type was not fully classified at publication.

Chain Expansion

Chain Activity Summary

The public version of this report withholds brand-level names. Across the reporting period, chain activity was concentrated in a relatively small group of active operators, with multiple new-location filings appearing among fast casual, quick serve, and casual dining concepts.

Brand-level names are withheld from this public summary; the client version includes the full company-level detail, brand names, location signals, and related market context.

Metro Activity

Top 5 Regions

Dallas-Fort Worth
129
Houston-Galveston
105
Austin / San Antonio
100
Los Angeles County
62
Broward-Dade-Palm Beach
60
Summary

The prevailing new-opening profile for this three-week period is a casual or family-dining concept operated by a single-unit owner in a mixed-use or shopping center setting in a Texas, California, or Florida market. Volume moderated from the prior period but the structural patterns are consistent: Texas dominates by a wide margin, anchored retail environments account for nearly three in four filings, and the independent operator share, while slightly softer at 63%, remains the clear majority.

RestaurantData.com

Chain Activity & Market Intelligence

Signals for the three-week period ending June 25, 2026
Expansion & Footprint

New Locations & Trading Area Changes

164 net new chain location signals across 144 cities, plus 103 trading area additions and 176 market exits. Chain names are not disclosed in this public summary. Texas leads new location activity, with Leander recording the most signals of any single city this period.

New Location Signals

Multiple-signal cities: Leander, Austin, Katy, San Antonio, Cedar Park, Conroe, Fort Lauderdale, Georgetown, Hillsboro, Knoxville, Louisville, Sugar Land, and Temple.

Additional activity: Single-location chain signals were also tracked across Texas, Florida, California, and a broad group of other U.S. markets.

Trading Area Changes

Areas entered: NC, SC, TX, GA, CA, KY, MA, OH, VA

NCSCTXGACAKYMAOHVA

Areas exited: FL, IN, KS, IL, LA, NC, NY, TX, VA

FLINKSILLANCNYTXVA
People & Leadership

Personnel Changes

RestaurantData.com tracked 106 personnel changes across 68 organizations during the reporting period. This public version consolidates the activity by functional area and does not disclose organization names.

Executive leadership
Type of change: CEO, CFO, president, and senior executive changes
Public summary: C-suite and senior leadership movement appeared across multiple restaurant groups and operators.
Marketing & brand
Type of change: Added and changed roles
Public summary: Marketing, communications, brand, and commercial roles remained one of the more active personnel categories.
Operations
Type of change: Field operations and store management
Public summary: Several organizations updated operational leadership tied to store execution, field management, and regional oversight.
Finance, IT & administration
Type of change: Added and changed roles
Public summary: Finance, technology, administrative, legal, and merchandising changes were also observed during the period.
Methodology Note

Classification Notes

The analyses in this report examine the same reporting period from different perspectives, including state, region, service type, operator type, location setting, chain activity, and trading-area movement. Tables summarize their respective categories and may include “Other / Unclassified” records where a service format falls outside the listed categories or was not fully classified at publication.

Related RestaurantData.com Research

Explore More Restaurant Opening Research

For additional context on restaurant opening activity, market signals, and RestaurantData.com’s research process, the following reports provide broader historical analysis, detailed examples, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Restaurant Opening Cross-Tab Analysis (2020–2025) examines six years of restaurant opening trends by geography, cuisine, service type, operator size, and location characteristics, providing long-term perspective on the patterns summarized in this Signals Report.

Restaurant Brand Alerts – May 2026 (Week 1) highlights verified restaurant opening activity from a single reporting period, including new restaurant projects, expanding brands, ownership changes, and the early market signals identified through RestaurantData.com’s ongoing nationwide research.

March–May Restaurant Openings Report (2,698 Projects) provides a broader three-month analysis covering 2,698 restaurant projects, including new openings, ownership transfers, reopenings, relocations, operator size, service type, cuisine trends, location characteristics, and regional growth patterns.

Questions about how RestaurantData.com identifies and verifies restaurant openings? Visit the Pre-Opening Restaurant Leads FAQs to learn more about the research methodology, data verification process, report contents, and how companies use the information for sales, market research, and business development.

Continue Your Research

This article is part of the RestaurantData Research Center, where RestaurantData publishes research based on verified restaurant openings, expansion activity, executive changes, operator records, and market intelligence.

The Research Center brings together RestaurantData reports, methodologies, and analysis in one place for readers following restaurant industry development and company movement.

Usage & Distribution Terms

This report may be shared and distributed on a non-exclusive, royalty-free basis, provided that full attribution is given to Restaurantdata.com and no modifications are made to the data, findings, tables, charts, or conclusions.

No resale, republication as a paid product, database extraction, scraping, data harvesting, bulk copying, or use of this report to create or enhance a competing commercial database, lead product, market research product, or restaurant intelligence platform is permitted without prior written consent from Restaurantdata.com.

Preferred citation: “Source: Restaurantdata.com, U.S. New Restaurant Openings Report, published June 25, 2026.”

March-May Restaurant Openings: Analysis of 2,698 Projects

Restaurantdata analyzed 2,698 restaurant projects that opened, transferred ownership, relocated, or reopened during March, April, and May. The analysis covers operator growth stage, service format, cuisine category, location type, and regional activity. Several findings stand out.

Key Observations

1. Single-unit operators continued to dominate restaurant activity

Single-unit operators with no known restaurant affiliation accounted for 1,865 projects, or 69.2% of populated operator records. Some industry definitions classify operators with fewer than ten units as independent. Restaurantdata separates known 2-4 unit and 5-19 unit operators into distinct growth-stage cohorts.

2. Emerging brands in the 2-19 unit range represented 20.9% of operator activity

Micro-Regional Multi-Unit and Regional Multi-Unit operators accounted for 562 projects, or 20.9% of populated operator records. These brands are expanding from two locations up to nineteen locations and are often still building vendor relationships, operating systems, and purchasing programs.

3. Casual/Family concepts remained the leading service format

Casual/Family concepts accounted for 1,395 projects, or 55.5% of populated service-format records. That was more than Fast Casual and Quick Serve combined.

4. American and Mexican/Latin concepts continued to lead openings

American concepts represented 572 projects, or 22.2% of populated cuisine records. Mexican/Latin concepts accounted for 359 projects, or 13.9%. Together, these two categories generated more than one-third of populated cuisine activity.

5. Southern markets produced more than half of all regional activity

Southern markets accounted for 1,403 projects, or 52.1% of populated regional records. Texas and Florida were major contributors, with three Texas territories and two Florida territories ranking among the highest-volume Restaurantdata markets.

Operator Analysis

Restaurantdata classifies operators by growth stage rather than using a broad independent-versus-chain split. This distinction matters because many industry definitions classify operators with fewer than ten units as independent. Restaurantdata separately tracks operators in the 2-4 and 5-19 unit growth stages because purchasing behavior, expansion patterns, and vendor-selection processes differ from true single-unit operators.

Operator Type Count Share
Single-Unit Operators (No Known Affiliation) 1,865 69.2%
Micro-Regional Multi-Unit (2-4 Units) 383 14.2%
Multi-Unit (20+ Units) 255 9.5%
Regional Multi-Unit (5-19 Units) 179 6.6%
Other / Pending Classification 13 0.5%

Operator type was populated for 2,695 records.

Micro-Regional Multi-Unit operators are brands expanding from their first location to a second unit, from two locations to three, or from three locations to four.

Regional Multi-Unit operators are brands expanding within the 5-19 location range. These companies are often adding management structure, standardizing operations, and formalizing purchasing decisions.

Multi-Unit operators generally operate twenty or more locations. These brands are more likely to have approved vendor programs, structured purchasing processes, and broader geographic footprints.

The 2-19 unit segment is important because these operators are large enough to expand but often still flexible enough to consider new vendor relationships.

Location Type Analysis

Real estate type provides another signal for suppliers. It helps identify whether activity is being driven by neighborhood infill, shopping center redevelopment, free-standing sites, hotels, malls, or mixed-use projects.

Location Type Count Share
Mixed Use 983 36.7%
Shopping Center 660 24.7%
Free Standing 626 23.4%
Mixed Residential 215 8.0%
Hotel 61 2.3%

Location type was populated for 2,676 records.

Mixed-use locations generated the largest share of activity, reflecting continued restaurant demand in residential, retail, office, and entertainment-oriented developments.

Shopping centers and free-standing locations together accounted for 1,286 projects, or 48.1% of populated location-type records. These locations often involve buildout, retrofit, signage, equipment, parking, and second-generation restaurant space considerations.

Restaurant Openings Remained Focused on New Locations

Project Type Count Share
New Opening 2,392 88.8%
New Owner / Operator / Transfer 202 7.5%
Reopening 36 1.3%
Possible New Owner / Operator 33 1.2%
Change of Location 30 1.1%

Project type was populated for 2,693 records.

New restaurant openings represented almost nine out of ten populated project records. Transfers should not be ignored. When ownership changes, operators often reassess food suppliers, beverage programs, POS systems, equipment vendors, payroll providers, marketing firms, and other service relationships.

Casual/Family Concepts Continued to Lead Development Activity

Service Type Count Share
Casual/Family 1,395 55.5%
Fast Casual 555 22.1%
Quick Serve 421 16.8%
Upscale Dining 130 5.2%

Service type was populated for 2,513 records.

Casual/Family restaurants generated 2.5 times the activity of Fast Casual concepts and more than three times the activity of Quick Serve concepts.

This suggests full-menu restaurants remain a major source of demand for foodservice distributors, equipment suppliers, tabletop vendors, furniture suppliers, beverage companies, and labor-related service providers.

American and Mexican/Latin Concepts Generated the Most Activity

Cuisine Count Share
American 572 22.2%
Mexican/Latin 359 13.9%
Coffee/Tea 152 5.9%
Pizza 137 5.3%
Bar Food 99 3.8%
Café 91 3.5%
Asian 90 3.5%
Chicken 79 3.1%

Cuisine was populated for 2,577 records.

American concepts generated about 1.6 times the activity of Mexican/Latin concepts. Together, the two categories accounted for 931 projects, or 36.1% of populated cuisine records.

Coffee/Tea ranked third overall, finishing ahead of Pizza, Bar Food, Café, Asian, and Chicken concepts. Beverage-focused growth remains an important signal for suppliers selling coffee, tea, bakery, disposables, equipment, signage, and drive-thru or pickup-related services.

Regional Comparison: South Markets Led the Dataset

U.S. Region Count Share
South 1,403 52.1%
West 591 21.9%
Northeast 418 15.5%
Midwest 282 10.5%

Regional classification was populated for 2,694 records.

The South produced more than half of all populated regional activity in the dataset. The West accounted for 21.9%, followed by the Northeast at 15.5% and the Midwest at 10.5%.

Texas and Florida Led Restaurant Opening Activity

Restaurantdata Market Projects
Dallas-Fort Worth 161
Austin-San Antonio-Corpus Christi 143
Houston-Galveston 141
Tampa-Gulf Coast 134
South Florida 133

Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin-San Antonio-Corpus Christi, and Houston-Galveston combined for 445 projects. Those three Texas territories represented a major share of the highest-volume markets identified during March, April, and May.

Florida placed two markets among the top five: Tampa-Gulf Coast and South Florida. Together, Texas and Florida accounted for a large share of the highest-volume restaurant development markets in the dataset.

Sales Implications for Suppliers

The March-May data highlights several supplier-facing trends.

  • Single-unit operators with no known affiliation remain the largest source of new opportunities.
  • Micro-Regional and Regional Multi-Unit brands represent an important 2-19 unit growth segment.
  • Mixed-use, shopping center, and free-standing locations accounted for 84.8% of populated location-type records.
  • Casual/Family concepts continued to generate the largest share of restaurant projects.
  • American and Mexican/Latin concepts accounted for 36.1% of populated cuisine records.
  • South markets produced more than half of populated regional activity.
  • Texas and Florida remained priority states for restaurant prospecting.

The March-May data suggests restaurant growth remains concentrated among single-unit operators, emerging multi-unit brands, mixed-use developments, and high-growth Sun Belt markets. Suppliers that identify operators before opening day remain best positioned to establish vendor relationships before purchasing decisions become standardized.

Methodology

This analysis is based on 2,698 restaurant projects tracked by Restaurantdata that opened, transferred ownership, relocated, or reopened during March, April, and May. Projects were classified by operator type, cuisine category, service format, location type, project type, and geography. Percentages shown throughout the report are based on populated records for each category.

Classification note: Tables in this report summarize different analytical dimensions of the same dataset. Category totals may differ because some records are not populated for every field, are pending classification, or fall into other categories not shown in every table.

Related Restaurant Opening Reports

For questions about how Restaurantdata identifies and tracks pre-opening restaurant activity, see the Pre-Opening Restaurant Leads FAQs.

For a broader historical view, see the Restaurant Opening Cross-Tab Analysis 2020-2025, which compares restaurant opening trends by format, geography, ownership type, and market activity.

For the most recent Restaurantdata opening signal report, review Restaurant Opening Signals Report: June 2026, which tracks 1,188 location filings across 49 states and 72 regions for the three-week period ending June 25, 2026.

For a weekly opening-alert view, see Restaurant New Opening Alerts May 2026 – Week 1, covering 543 location filings across 48 states.

For the prior April signal report, review Restaurantdata.com Signals April 23, 2026, which provides another snapshot of near-term restaurant activity.

For a full-year benchmark, see the 2024 New Restaurant Openings Report, which provides a broader U.S. market comparison.

Continue Your Research

This article is part of the RestaurantData Research Center, where RestaurantData publishes research based on verified restaurant openings, expansion activity, executive changes, operator records, and market intelligence.

The Research Center brings together RestaurantData reports, methodologies, and analysis in one place for readers following restaurant industry development and company movement.

Usage & Distribution Terms

This report may be shared and distributed on a non-exclusive, royalty-free basis, provided that full attribution is given to Restaurantdata.com and no modifications are made to the data, findings, tables, charts, or conclusions.

No resale, republication as a paid product, database extraction, scraping, data harvesting, bulk copying, or use of this report to create or enhance a competing commercial database, lead product, market research product, or restaurant intelligence platform is permitted without prior written consent from Restaurantdata.com.

Preferred citation: “Source: Restaurantdata.com, March-May Restaurant Openings Report, published June 21, 2026.”

Top 10 Upscale Dining Brands by Expansion Pressure

This Top 10 list is Restaurantdata.com’s first public display of the Expansion Pressure Index™, highlighting a defined cohort of upscale dining brands that began the tracking period with 10 to 30 operating units.

The cohort covers brands tracked from late November 2025 through the end of May 2026. Rankings reflect recent openings, multi-state growth, and advancement toward the next operating stage.

The Expansion Pressure Index was developed through more than a year of research and development and is powered by Restaurantdata.com’s ongoing ingestion of more than 1,000 weekly expansion signals from legal filings, permits, licensing records, local reporting, and other public sources.

The index helps suppliers, investors, and other industry professionals identify expanding restaurant brands before new locations open.

Subscribers can monitor more than 2,000 restaurant brands, define custom stage ranges, and rank companies using metrics such as Expansion Pressure or Near Stage Promotion.

About the Expansion Pressure Index™
The index is built from weekly expansion signals that are collected, checked, de-duplicated, and organized to identify brands showing recent growth activity.

Top 10 Expanding Upscale Dining Brands (10-to-30-Unit Cohort)

Rank Brand Units Net New States Key Driver
1 Burtons Grill and Bar 30 → 33 +3 3 Added 3 tracked openings, 10% growth; active across 3 states.
2 Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille 27 → 29 +2 2 Approaching the 30-unit threshold; added 2 tracked openings, 7% growth.
3 Sant Ambroeus 18 → 20 +2 2 Added 2 tracked openings, 11% growth; active across 2 states.
4 BOA Steakhouse 14 → 16 +2 2 Added 2 tracked openings, 14% growth; active across 2 states.
5 Telefèric Barcelona 10 → 12 +2 1 Added 2 tracked openings, 20% growth; validated by 2 source types.
6 Bacari 11 → 13 +2 1 Added 2 tracked openings, 18% growth; validated by 2 source types.
7 El Toro Loco Churrascaria 13 → 15 +2 1 Added 2 tracked openings, 15% growth.
8 Bourbon Steak 29 → 30 +1 1 Crossed the 30-unit threshold; added 1 tracked opening, 3% growth.
9 Trader Vic’s 23 → 24 +1 1 Added 1 tracked opening, 4% growth. Most locations are international.
10 Perry’s Steakhouse 27 → 28 +1 1 Approaching the 30-unit threshold; added 1 tracked opening, 4% growth.

How the Expansion Pressure Index Works

The Expansion Pressure Index does not rank companies by total size. It measures recent expansion activity within a defined cohort.

For this list, brands were evaluated based on tracked new openings, state expansions and movement toward the next operating-stage threshold. The goal is to identify restaurant companies showing current growth pressure during a specific period.

What the Top 10 List Shows

Burtons Grill and Bar leads the ranking with three tracked openings across three states. Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille, Sant Ambroeus, and BOA Steakhouse also recorded multi-state activity during the tracking period.

Several brands are approaching the next stage within Restaurantdata.com’s growth framework. These transitions often coincide with larger purchasing decisions and broader expansion plans.

Importantly, subscribers can define their own stage ranges and ranking criteria to match different prospecting or market-monitoring goals.

Using Early Expansion Signals

Growing restaurant brands often generate multiple signals before opening new locations or entering additional states. Viewed together, those signals can reveal development activity that may not yet be visible through traditional industry reporting.

For additional restaurant growth intelligence, explore Restaurantdata.com’s related research and methodology pages below.

Continue Exploring Restaurant Growth Research

These related reports provide additional context on restaurant opening activity, early expansion signals, operator growth stages, and market movement tracked by Restaurantdata.com.

The RestaurantData Research Center brings together Restaurantdata.com reports, methodologies, and market analysis in one place for readers following restaurant openings, expansion activity, executive changes, operator records, and restaurant industry development.

Review the new restaurant openings database to understand how Restaurantdata.com tracks restaurant openings, pre-opening activity, ownership changes, relocations, and development-stage records.

Use the restaurant opening crosstab analysis covering 2020-2025 to compare current expansion signals with longer-term restaurant opening patterns across cuisine, geography, service format, and operator type.

Read the report on micro and small restaurant group growth for additional context on how smaller multi-unit operators move through early development stages.

Review the monthly restaurant opening counts for recurring benchmarks on U.S. restaurant opening activity and tracked development records.

See the fastest-growing restaurant brands analysis for additional examples of restaurant companies showing measurable expansion activity.

Usage & Distribution Terms

This report may be shared and distributed on a non-exclusive, royalty-free basis, provided that full attribution is given to Restaurantdata.com and no modifications are made to the data, findings, tables, charts, or conclusions.

No resale, republication as a paid product, database extraction, scraping, data harvesting, bulk copying, or use of this report to create or enhance a competing commercial database, lead product, market research product, or restaurant intelligence platform is permitted without prior written consent from Restaurantdata.com.

Preferred citation: “Source: Restaurantdata.com, Expansion Pressure Index™ Threshold Movement Analysis, November 2025–June 2026 tracking period, published July 2026.”

8-State Breakfast Restaurant Review Analysis

Breakfast Restaurant Trends Across 8 States

A current look at highly rated sit-down breakfast restaurants, including state comparisons, cuisine trends, service models, restaurant size, staffing, pricing, and market concentration.

A review of more than 3,400 highly rated sit-down breakfast restaurants across eight states provides a current snapshot of the breakfast dining market. The analysis shows where top-rated breakfast operators are concentrated, which restaurant formats dominate, how pricing compares by category, and how restaurant size and staffing vary across regional markets.

Key Breakfast Restaurant KPIs

  • Total Restaurants Analyzed: 3,418
  • States Covered: 8
  • Average Google Rating: 4.70
  • Exact 5.0 Google Rating Records: 207 restaurants, 6.1%
  • Average Seating Capacity: 121 seats
  • Median Seating Capacity: 150 seats
  • Average Restaurant Size: 2,780 square feet
  • Median Restaurant Size: 3,500 square feet
  • Average F&B Employees: 17.7
  • Median F&B Employees: 16
  • Most Common Check Average: $10-$30, 2,311 restaurants, 67.6%
  • Most Common Service Style: Casual/family dining, 3,266 restaurants, 95.6%
  • Most Common Meal Format: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, 2,303 restaurants, 67.4%

Regional Breakfast Restaurant Performance

The restaurant count is concentrated in a few large states. Illinois and New Jersey lead the file with a combined 1,447 restaurants, equal to 42.3% of all records. The top three states, Illinois, New Jersey, and North Carolina, account for 1,960 restaurants, or 57.3% of the total.

State Restaurants Share Avg. Rating Avg. Seats Avg. Sq. Ft. Avg. Employees
Illinois 785 23.0% 4.70 126 2,934 17.7
New Jersey 662 19.4% 4.72 113 2,540 14.9
North Carolina 513 15.0% 4.71 123 2,831 21.0
Washington 405 11.8% 4.71 117 2,668 14.4
Arizona 362 10.6% 4.70 125 2,921 17.0
Tennessee 335 9.8% 4.72 121 2,766 23.4
Maryland 187 5.5% 4.72 123 2,788 14.5
Kentucky 169 4.9% 4.72 122 2,830 21.0

Service Type Breakdown

Casual/family dining is the dominant format for highly rated sit-down breakfast restaurants in this analysis. Upscale dining represents a much smaller share of the category.

  • Casual/Family Dining: 3,266 restaurants, 95.6%
  • Upscale Dining: 152 restaurants, 4.4%

Meal Period Trends

Most restaurants in the file are not breakfast-only operators. The leading model is an all-day restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

  • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner: 2,303 restaurants, 67.4%
  • Breakfast and Lunch: 1,109 restaurants, 32.4%
  • Breakfast Only: 5 restaurants, 0.1%
  • Breakfast and Dinner: 1 restaurant, less than 0.1%

Check Average and Pricing Analysis

The $10-$30 check average is the core price band for highly rated sit-down breakfast restaurants across the eight states. This range accounts for more than two-thirds of the file.

  • $10-$30: 2,311 restaurants, 67.6%
  • $4-$15: 512 restaurants, 15.0%
  • $15-$40: 494 restaurants, 14.5%
  • $25-$75: 101 restaurants, 3.0%

Cuisine Trends Among Top-Rated Breakfast Restaurants

American restaurants are the clear leader in the breakfast sit-down category, accounting for 1,394 primary cuisine records, or 40.8% of the file. Mexican/Latin, cafe, and bar-food concepts form the next largest groups.

  • American: 1,394 records, 40.8%
  • Mexican/Latin: 392 records, 11.5%
  • Cafe: 368 records, 10.8%
  • Bar Food: 361 records, 10.6%
  • Coffee/Tea: 136 records, 4.0%
  • Bakery/Cafe: 113 records, 3.3%
  • Seafood: 82 records, 2.4%
  • Italian: 51 records, 1.5%
  • Sandwich: 48 records, 1.4%
  • Deli: 38 records, 1.1%

Restaurant Size, Seating, and Staffing

The average restaurant in the file has 121 seats, 2,780 square feet, and 17.7 food and beverage employees. The data points to a substantial sit-down breakfast segment with meaningful dining-room capacity rather than a category dominated by small counter-service formats.

  • Average Seats: 121
  • Median Seats: 150
  • Average Square Footage: 2,780 square feet
  • Median Square Footage: 3,500 square feet
  • Average F&B Employees: 17.7
  • Median F&B Employees: 16

New Jersey has the smallest average footprint at 2,540 square feet, while Illinois and Arizona both average above 2,900 square feet. Tennessee has the highest average employee count at 23.4, followed by North Carolina and Kentucky at 21.0.

Alcohol Availability

Alcohol availability varies across the file. A large share of restaurants list no alcohol, but full-bar restaurants still account for 788 records, or 23.1%. This supports the presence of brunch, all-day dining, and casual/family restaurants that serve breakfast but also compete during lunch and dinner.

  • No Alcohol: 1,311 restaurants, 38.4%
  • Unknown Alcohol Status: 1,025 restaurants, 30.0%
  • Full Bar: 788 restaurants, 23.1%
  • Beer/Wine: 245 restaurants, 7.2%
  • Alcohol Listed Generally: 49 restaurants, 1.4%

Top Metro Areas for Breakfast Restaurants

The top two metro areas, Chicago and the New York/Northern New Jersey region, account for 1,064 restaurants, or 31.1% of the file. The next largest markets include Phoenix, Seattle, Nashville, Charlotte, and Baltimore.

  • Chicago-Naperville-Joliet: 538 restaurants, 15.7%
  • New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island: 526 restaurants, 15.4%
  • Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale: 195 restaurants, 5.7%
  • Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue: 170 restaurants, 5.0%
  • Nashville Metro: 116 restaurants, 3.4%
  • Charlotte Metro: 95 restaurants, 2.8%
  • Baltimore Metro: 90 restaurants, 2.6%

Top Cities in the Breakfast Restaurant File

  • Chicago: 212 restaurants
  • Seattle: 80 restaurants
  • Phoenix: 68 restaurants
  • Tucson: 52 restaurants
  • Nashville: 47 restaurants
  • Charlotte: 46 restaurants
  • Baltimore: 32 restaurants
  • Scottsdale: 29 restaurants
  • Louisville: 26 restaurants
  • Jersey City: 23 restaurants

Outdoor Dining Availability

Outdoor dining is not a major feature in the file. Only 138 restaurants list patio or outdoor dining, representing 4.0% of the total.

  • No Patio or Outdoor Dining Listed: 3,280 restaurants, 96.0%
  • Patio or Outdoor Dining Listed: 138 restaurants, 4.0%

State-Level Breakfast Restaurant Findings

Illinois Breakfast Restaurant Market

Illinois leads the file with 785 restaurants, or 23.0% of the total. Chicago is the largest city market with 212 records. Illinois also has one of the larger average restaurant footprints at 2,934 square feet.

New Jersey Breakfast Restaurant Market

New Jersey ranks second with 662 restaurants, or 19.4%. The state has the smallest average footprint in the file at 2,540 square feet and one of the highest average Google ratings at 4.72.

North Carolina Breakfast Restaurant Market

North Carolina ranks third with 513 restaurants, or 15.0%. The state has a high average employee count at 21.0 per restaurant, with activity spread across Charlotte and other regional markets.

Washington Breakfast Restaurant Market

Washington accounts for 405 restaurants, or 11.8%. Seattle is the state’s largest city market in the file with 80 restaurants. Washington has one of the lowest average employee counts at 14.4.

Arizona Breakfast Restaurant Market

Arizona accounts for 362 restaurants, or 10.6%. Phoenix and Tucson are the strongest city markets. Arizona has one of the largest average footprints at 2,921 square feet.

Tennessee Breakfast Restaurant Market

Tennessee accounts for 335 restaurants, or 9.8%. The state has the highest average employee count in the file at 23.4, led by Nashville and other regional markets.

Maryland Breakfast Restaurant Market

Maryland accounts for 187 restaurants, or 5.5%. Baltimore is the leading city market in the state, and Maryland restaurants average 123 seats and 2,788 square feet.

Kentucky Breakfast Restaurant Market

Kentucky accounts for 169 restaurants, or 4.9%. Louisville is the leading city market, and the state’s average restaurant size is close to the overall file average.

What the Data Reveals About the Breakfast Dining Market

The breakfast restaurant category remains concentrated among casual/family dining operators with moderate pricing, substantial seating capacity, and all-day operating hours. American cuisine dominates the segment, but Mexican/Latin, cafe, bakery, coffee, and bar-food concepts hold meaningful share.

Illinois and New Jersey account for more than 42% of all restaurants in the analysis. Tennessee and North Carolina show some of the highest staffing levels, while New Jersey and Washington operate with smaller average footprints. Across all eight states, the data points to continued demand for approachable breakfast concepts with strong local customer sentiment, table-service dining, and value-oriented pricing.

For restaurant suppliers, brokers, distributors, technology providers, equipment dealers, marketing firms, and service companies, this type of analysis helps identify operators with strong consumer ratings, established dining-room capacity, and broad meal-period coverage.

Continue Exploring Restaurant Market Research

The RestaurantData Research Center brings together Restaurantdata.com reports, methodologies, and market analysis in one place for readers following restaurant openings, expansion activity, executive changes, operator records, and restaurant industry development.

These related reports provide additional context on restaurant category research, local market comparisons, growth-stage restaurant operators, and broader U.S. restaurant development patterns.

Related Restaurant Market Research

For more analysis of small restaurant group growth, see New Openings of Micro and Small Restaurant Group Locations Are on the Rise.

For local restaurant market comparisons, see Markets: Abbeville, LA to Ada, OK.

For a broader restaurant-category benchmark, see Top Buffet Restaurants in the U.S. States and Provinces by the Numbers.

Usage & Distribution Terms

This report may be shared and distributed on a non-exclusive, royalty-free basis, provided that full attribution is given to Restaurantdata.com and no modifications are made to the data, findings, tables, charts, or conclusions.

No resale, republication as a paid product, database extraction, scraping, data harvesting, bulk copying, or use of this report to create or enhance a competing commercial database, lead product, market research product, or restaurant intelligence platform is permitted without prior written consent from Restaurantdata.com.

Preferred citation: “Source: Restaurantdata.com, Breakfast Restaurant Trends Across 8 States, published July 2026.”

Restaurant Opening Signals: June 2026

RESTAURANTDATA.COM
Signals Report
1,525 location filings  ·  51 states  ·  73 regions  ·  Three-week period ending June 4, 2026
Analysis

Key Observations

01

Texas leads by a widening margin

Texas recorded 410 location filings, 61% more than California’s 254 and more than double Florida’s 202. Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston-Galveston, and the Austin/San Antonio corridor accounted for 374 Texas filings.
02

Quick serve is closing in on fast casual

Quick serve reached 22% of all filings, nearly matching fast casual at 23%. Texas accounted for 112 quick-serve filings, or about one-third of the national QSR total.
03

Single-unit operators remain the dominant profile

1,059 of 1,525 filings, or 69%, were tied to single-unit owner/operators. New York and California both exceeded 80%, while Georgia posted the lowest single-unit share among the top states at 44%.
04

North Carolina enters the top five

North Carolina posted 47 filings, moving into the top five. Its 74% independent share indicates growth driven primarily by organic operator activity rather than chain expansion.
05

Anchored locations continue to dominate siting decisions

Mixed-use and shopping center locations accounted for 981 filings combined, or 64% of the period total. Freestanding locations held at 292 filings, or 19%.

Period Summary

1,525
Net new location filings tracked
51
States with net new activity
69%
Single-unit owner/operators

State Analysis

Casual/family dining led across the top states. Texas posted a notably elevated quick-serve share, while California, New York, and Oregon reported the highest single-unit concentrations. Georgia remained the lowest among the top states at 44%.

State Total Casual Fast Casual QSR Upscale Single Unit %
TX41013167112566%
CA25410266491280%
FL2021164340275%
NY129642730881%
NC47221213074%

Format Mix

Service Type Filings Share
Casual / Family65143%
Fast Casual34723%
Quick Serve34322%
Upscale Dining533%
Buffet2<1%

Chain Expansion

The most active restaurant chains by new location filings were concentrated in fast casual and quick serve formats.

FilingsBrandService Type
10Chick-fil-AFast Casual
6Chipotle Mexican GrillFast Casual
4Blank StreetFast Casual
4Mountain Mike’s PizzaFast Casual
4Nothing Bundt CakesQuick Serve
37 Brew CoffeeQuick Serve
3CAVAFast Casual
3HTEAO Texas TeaQuick Serve
3Jimmy JohnsFast Casual

Metro Activity

RegionFilings
Dallas-Fort Worth159
Houston-Galveston108
Austin / San Antonio107
Los Angeles81
Broward-Dade-Palm Beach61

Summary

The prevailing new-opening profile for this three-week period was a casual or family-dining concept operated by a single-unit owner in a mixed-use or shopping center setting in a Texas, California, or Florida market. At 69%, the single-unit share remained high and consistent with prior periods. A notable development this period was the near-convergence of fast casual and quick serve, with quick serve reaching 22% nationally and accounting for a disproportionate share of Texas filings. North Carolina’s entry into the top five added a Southeastern dimension and signaled continued secondary-market expansion by independent operators.

Continue Exploring Restaurant Opening Research

The RestaurantData Research Center brings together Restaurantdata.com reports, methodologies, and market analysis in one place for readers following restaurant openings, expansion activity, executive changes, operator records, and restaurant industry development.

These related reports provide additional context on restaurant opening activity, brand expansion signals, operator movement, and longer-term market trends.

Related Restaurant Opening Reports

Explore additional Restaurantdata.com reports covering restaurant openings, brand expansion signals, and longer-term market trends.

Usage & Distribution Terms

This report may be shared and distributed on a non-exclusive, royalty-free basis, provided that full attribution is given to Restaurantdata.com and no modifications are made to the data, findings, tables, charts, or conclusions.

No resale, republication as a paid product, database extraction, scraping, data harvesting, bulk copying, or use of this report to create or enhance a competing commercial database, lead product, market research product, or restaurant intelligence platform is permitted without prior written consent from Restaurantdata.com.

Preferred citation: “Source: Restaurantdata.com, U.S. New Restaurant Openings Report, published June 4, 2026.”

Restaurant Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) Analysis & Growth Trends

Restaurant Franchise Disclosure Document Analysis | Restaurant Growth Report
Published: June 2, 2026
Franchise Disclosure Document Review

Restaurant Franchise Disclosure Document Analysis

This report reviews restaurant Franchise Disclosure Documents filed during late winter and spring 2026. The filings include updates from Craveworthy, Gregorys Coffee, The Human Bean, Nick the Greek, and Bonchon Korean Fried Chicken, covering unit counts, average unit volumes, franchised versus company-owned locations, and signed development agreements.

Summary of FDD Updates

Franchise Disclosure Documents provide structured information that is often difficult to collect from press releases alone. The filings can show system size, franchised versus company-owned locations, signed agreements, outlet changes, and financial performance representations when disclosed.

Brand / Company Reported Update Sales / Unit Data
Craveworthy / Gregorys Coffee Craveworthy now oversees 13 restaurant brands and added Gregorys Coffee to its portfolio in July 2025. Gregorys Coffee reports 51 company-owned locations and average unit sales above $800,000.
The Human Bean The 2026 FDD reports approximately 30% system growth during the three-year period ending December 2025. Average unit volumes of approximately $900,000; 14 signed agreements for unopened locations.
Nick the Greek The brand grew from 35 locations at the end of 2021 to 94 locations by early 2026. Average unit volumes of approximately $1.4 million; about 90% of locations are franchised.
Bonchon Korean Fried Chicken The filing reports five franchised openings during 2025 and one fewer company-owned location. Mature franchised dine-in restaurants reported AUV of approximately $1.595 million.

Craveworthy Adds Gregorys Coffee to Portfolio

Craveworthy LLC, formed in December 2022, continues to expand its restaurant brand portfolio. Recent franchise disclosure filings indicate that the company now oversees 13 restaurant brands.

Current Franchised Brands

Brand Franchised Units
Dirty Dough39
Wing It On7
Big Chicken10
BD’s Mongolian Grill6
Genghis Grill2
Taffer’s Tavern2

Company-Owned and Emerging Brands

  • Bulldog Hot Chicken
  • Fresh Brothers Pizza
  • Krafted Burgers
  • Lucky Cat Poke
  • Sigri Indian BBQ
  • Taim Mediterranean Kitchen

In July 2025, Craveworthy added Gregorys Coffee to its portfolio. Gregorys Coffee currently operates 51 company-owned locations and has no franchised units. The newly registered Franchise Disclosure Document reports average unit sales exceeding $800,000.

The Human Bean Reports Continued Growth

The Human Bean’s 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document, dated February 27, 2026, reports approximately 30% system growth during the three-year period ending December 2025.

Franchisees own approximately 94% of the system’s locations. The company operates in 25 states, with most locations concentrated in the western United States.

The filing reports average unit volumes of approximately $900,000. The disclosure document also lists 14 signed franchise agreements for locations that had not yet opened as of the filing date.

Nick the Greek Shows Multi-Year Unit Growth

Nick the Greek, a San Jose, California-based Greek restaurant concept, continued to expand across the United States.

The company ended 2021 with 35 locations and had grown to 94 locations by early 2026, according to its January website count. Approximately 90% of the system’s locations are franchised.

The Franchise Disclosure Document reports average unit volumes of approximately $1.4 million. While the brand has expanded into multiple states, approximately 85% of its locations remain in California.

Bonchon Korean Fried Chicken Files 2026 FDD

Bonchon Korean Fried Chicken registered its 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document on March 13, 2026.

According to the filing, the chain added five franchised locations during 2025 while reducing company-owned locations by one unit.

The filing reports average unit volumes of approximately $1.595 million for mature franchised dine-in restaurants. The highest-volume location reported annual sales exceeding $4.1 million.

Why FDD Filings Are Useful

Restaurant Franchise Disclosure Documents can show where restaurant brands are adding units, how much of the system is franchised, which brands have signed agreements, and whether average unit volume data is available.

For suppliers, distributors, investors, lenders, commercial real estate firms, and franchise-focused sales teams, FDD data can help identify growth brands before expansion is fully visible through openings alone.

Continue Exploring Restaurant Franchise Research

The RestaurantData Research Center brings together Restaurantdata.com reports, methodologies, and market analysis in one place for readers following restaurant openings, expansion activity, executive changes, operator records, franchise disclosure documents, and restaurant industry development.

These related reports provide additional context on franchise system growth, FDD filings, restaurant brand movement, average unit volumes, and longer-term restaurant expansion patterns.

Additional Restaurant Franchise Research

Restaurant Franchise Disclosure Document Analysis

This analysis reviews leading restaurant franchise brands by franchised location count, company-owned mix, AUV, service type, cuisine, and geographic footprint.

Restaurant Franchise Disclosure Document Analysis

Restaurant Franchise Growth Stories: FDD Analysis 2021–2025

This report uses FDD filings to examine multi-year franchise growth stories and brand-level development patterns.

Restaurant Franchise Growth Stories: FDD Analysis 2021–2025

Top Restaurant Franchisors: Early Bird Results

This early FDD filing review highlights restaurant franchisor unit growth, brand movement, and year-end location changes based on company releases.

Top Restaurant Franchisors: Early Bird Results

Restaurant Franchise Growth Trends

This report reviews restaurant franchise growth trends using FDD data across larger franchised restaurant systems.

Restaurant Franchise Growth Trends

Restaurant Industry News and Opening Data

This page collects Restaurantdata.com research updates on franchise expansion, restaurant openings, market activity, and foodservice data.

Restaurant Industry News and Opening Data

Usage & Distribution Terms

This report may be shared and distributed on a non-exclusive, royalty-free basis provided that full attribution is given to Restaurantdata.com and no modifications are made to the data, findings, tables, charts, or conclusions.

No resale, republication as a paid product, database extraction, scraping, data harvesting, bulk copying, or use of this report to create or enhance a competing commercial database, lead product, market research product, or restaurant intelligence platform is permitted without prior written consent from Restaurantdata.com.

Preferred citation: Source: Restaurantdata.com, Restaurant Franchise Disclosure Document Analysis, published June 2, 2026.