Expanding restaurant brands and multi unit operators continue demonstrating growth across regional markets. Tracking growing restaurant chains provides insight into which concepts are successfully scaling operations and entering new trade areas.
Key Expansion Insights
- Several multi unit operators increased unit counts across multiple markets
- Fast casual concepts continue to show expansion momentum
- Smaller brands adding multiple units indicate early-stage scaling potential
- Franchise models continue driving multi-state expansion
- Repeat growers demonstrate sustained brand expansion activity
Multi unit restaurant growth often signals strong unit economics, franchise demand, and increasing consumer adoption. Companies monitoring restaurant leads and foodservice leads frequently analyze expanding restaurant concepts to identify brands gaining traction and emerging competitors within specific cuisine segments.
Growing Concepts of Multi Unit Operators
The following restaurant concepts have demonstrated measurable unit growth, indicating continued expansion momentum across multiple markets.
North Vancouver, BC-based BEAN AROUND THE WORLD COFFEES (founded 1990) has increased by 6 units, from 21 to 27 (29% growth). This quick-serve coffee shop is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner hours, with a $4–$12+ per person price range. Shops have limited seating. All the locations are in BC.
Blue Island, IL-based BEGGAR’S PIZZA (founded 1976) has increased by 3 units, from 23 to 26 (13% growth). This family/casual pizzeria is open for lunch and dinner, with a $6–$15+ per person check average. Beer is served. Average unit seats about 100. Online ordering, delivery, catering, and private party services are available. Locations are franchised and trade in IL and IN.
Columbus, OH-based BIBIBOP ASIAN GRILL (founded 2013) has increased by 13 units, from 30 to 43 (43% growth). The concept is fast casual, open for lunch and dinner, with a $6–$15+ per person price range. Seating is for about 30. Catering and online ordering options are available. Stores are franchised and trade in CA, DC, IL, MD, and OH. Bibibop is a subsidiary of Charleys Philly Steaks.
Albany, NY-based DELMONICO’S ITALIAN STEAKHOUSE (founded 1998) has increased by 1 unit, from 6 to 7 (17% growth). This upscale steakhouse is open for dinner, with a $15–$50+ per person check average. The restaurants have full bar service and average seating for about 150. Banquet services are available. Trading areas are FL and NY.
Emerging and Re-emerging Concepts
Smaller restaurant brands adding multiple units often represent early-stage growth opportunities and may indicate increasing franchise or corporate expansion activity.
Concepts with 20 units or less who grew by at least 2 units.
Marietta, GA-based J. CHRISTOPHER’S RESTAURANT (founded 1997) has increased by 4 units, from 20 to 24 (20% growth). This family/casual concept is open for breakfast and lunch, specializing in breakfast foods. Seating is for about 125. Locations trade in GA and TN. Franchising is available.
Repeat Growers
Concepts demonstrating repeated growth over multiple periods often indicate stable operating models and sustained expansion strategies.
Concepts previously written about in the past 18 months.
Irving, TX-based BARTECA RESTAURANT GROUP (founded 1995) has increased by 2 units for the Barcelona Wine Bar concept, from 15 to 17 (13% concept growth) and by 6 units for the bartaco concept, from 16 to 22 (38% concept growth). Overall company increase was from 31 to 39 (26% growth). The restaurants are upscale, serving Spanish and Mexican cuisines. Meal periods are lunch and dinner, with a $15–$50+ per person check average. The restaurants have full bar service and average seating for about 150. Catering and banquet services are available. Trading areas are AL, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, MA, NC, NY, PA, TN, and VA. We last wrote about this concept on 10/9/18 (7% growth).
Pre-Opening Restaurant Sales Leads
Companies tracking growing restaurant chains often rely on structured restaurant leads data to identify expanding restaurant brands and multi unit operators earlier.