Rapid Growth Concepts: 3-Year Growth Rate Analysis

Over a 3-year period, RestaurantData.com identified the fastest-growing restaurant brands from a pool of over 135 concepts. By examining Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs), brand websites, financial data, and growth metrics, our research team evaluated each brand’s store expansion rate and key growth trends from year-end 2020 through year-end 2023.

Key finding: Dave’s Hot Chicken led all brands with 2,314% growth over 3 years growing from just 7 locations to 169. All brands in this list are counter-service restaurant concepts.

Fastest-Growing Restaurant Brands by 3-Year Location Growth

The table below ranks the top fast-growing restaurant brands by 3-year growth rate, showing year-end 2020 and year-end 2023 U.S. location counts, total new locations opened, and percentage growth over the period.

Source: RestaurantData.com · FDD analysis, brand websites & financial data · 135+ concepts evaluated · U.S. locations only · Y/E 2020 vs. Y/E 2023

* 3-year growth rate calculated from Y/E 2020 to Y/E 2023 U.S. location counts as reported in Franchise Disclosure Documents and brand websites. All concepts listed are counter-service restaurant formats. RestaurantData.com analysis of 135+ concepts.

Research Methodology

RestaurantData.com’s expert research team routinely reviews, dissects, ingests, and analyzes data from more than 200,000 U.S. franchise locations. For this fast-growth analysis, each brand was evaluated across FDD filings, brand websites, financial data, and in-person growth metric verification. Point of Sale (POS) research was conducted via telephone interviews and in-store visits.

POS Systems at Fast-Growing Brand Locations

Based on primary research including telephone interviews and in-store visits, the following POS systems were identified at locations across the fast-growing brands listed above:

• Revel
• Toast
• PAR
• Aloha
• Square
• Touchpoint
• In-House Proprietary

What Fast Growth Means for Suppliers and Vendors

Brands growing at 100%+ over three years are adding dozens or hundreds of new locations annually — each one representing a new sales opportunity for food service suppliers, equipment vendors, POS providers, and distributors. The challenge is identifying these openings early enough to get in front of decision-makers before competitors do.

Dave’s Hot Chicken grew from 7 to 169 locations in three years. Crumbl went from 142 to 970. Each of those new locations needed a full equipment package, a POS system, a food supplier, smallwares, signage, and more — often standardized across the entire rollout.

RestaurantData.com tracks new openings from these and hundreds of other growing brands weekly — delivering verified leads to clients before locations open. See also: Top 100 Restaurant Franchise Growth Trends →