Growing Concepts of Multi Unit Operators

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

Whitaker, PA-based BISHOP\’S PIZZA (founded 1985) has increased by 1 unit, from 5 to 6 (20% growth). These quick serve pizza restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, with a $4-$12+ per person price range. Locations are in PA.

Houston, TX-based BREWINGZ SPORTS BAR & GRILL (founded 2013) has increased 1 unit, from 21 to 22 (5% growth). These family/casual sports bar restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, with an $8-20+ per person check average. Seating is for about 150 and catering is available. All the restaurants are located in TX.

South Carolina-based KANPAI OF TOKYO (founded 1973) has increased by 1 unit, from 3 to 4 (33% growth).  These family/casual Japanese restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, with a $10-$30+ per person check average.  Locations have full bar service and average seating for about 200.  Catering and banquet services are available.  Restaurants trade in SC and TN.

South Carolina-based TRAVINIA ITALIAN KITCHEN (founded 2002) has increased by 1 unit for the Travinia concept, from 12 to 13 (8% concept growth).  The company also operates Arizona\’s (1 unit).  Overall company increase was from 13 to 14 (8% company growth).  The restaurants are upscale, open for lunch and dinner, with a $15-$50+ per person check average.  Locations have full bar and average seating for about 175.  Catering and banquet services are available.  Trading areas are FL, GA, KY, NC, PA, SC and VA.

Richardson, TX-based GOLDEN CHICK (founded 1978) has increased by 38 units for the Golden Chick concept, from 120 to 158 (32% concept growth) and by 1 unit for the Jalapeno Tree concept, from 14 to 15 (7% concept growth).  Overall company increase was from 135 to 173 (28% company growth). Golden Chick is a quick serve chicken concept, open for lunch and dinner, with a $4-$12+ per person price range.  Jalapeno Tree is a family/casual Mexican concept, open for lunch and dinner, with an $8-$20+ per person check average.  Jalapeno Tree has full bar service, Golden Chick does not serve alcohol.  Golden Chick seats about 60 and offers catering, delivery and drive-thru services.  Jalapeno seats around 200, also offering catering.  Units are franchised and trade in GA, OK, SC and TX.

Emerging and Re-emerging Concepts

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

New York, NY-based BIRCH COFFEE (founded 2009) has increased by 5 units, from 3 to 8 (167% growth). These fast/casual sandwich restaurants are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a $4-$12+ per person check average. Beer and wine are served and seating is for about 30. Catering is available. Locations are in NY.

Point Pleasant, NJ-based BUBBAKOOS BURRITOS (founded 2007) has increased 3 units, from 6 to 9 (50% growth). These fast casual Mexican restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, with a $4-$12+ per person check average. Seating is for about 30 and catering is available. Locations are in NJ.

The Woodlands, TX-based BLACK WALNUT CAFÉ has increased 2 units for the Black Walnut Café concept from 12 to 14 (17% concept growth) and by 2 units for their Hubbell & Hudson concept, from 1 to 3 (200% concept growth) for an overall company increase from 13 to 17 (31% company growth). These family/casual American cuisine restaurants are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a $6-$15+ per person check average. Full bar service is available and seating is for about 100. The restaurants are located in TX.

Repeat Growers

Concepts previously written about in the past 18 months.
 

Gardena, CA-based GYU-KAKU (founded 1996) has increased by 7 units, from 30 to 37 (23% growth) and entered into AB and ON.  This family/casual Japanese concept is open for lunch and dinner, with a $10-$30+ per person check average.  The restaurants have full bar service and average seating for about 200.  Banquet services are available.  Locations are franchised and trade in AB, BC, CA, FL, HI, IL, MA, NV, NY, ON, PA and TX.  We last featured this concept on 4/7/15 (30% growth).

Irvine, CA-based HABIT BURGER GRILL (founded 1969) has increased by 24 units, from 132 to 156 (18% growth) and entered into ID, MD, VA and WA.  The restaurants are fast casual, open for lunch and dinner, with a $4-$12+ per person price range.  The restaurants seat about 40 and offer online ordering service.  Franchising is available.  Trading areas are AZ, CA, FL, ID, MD, NJ, NV, UT, VA and WA.  We featured this concept on 12/2/14 (20% growth) and on 9/29/15 (17% growth).