New: Notes on small company growth. Click here,

Growing Concepts of Multi Unit Operators

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

Golden, CO-based HEIDI\’S BROOKLYN DELI (founded 1994) has increased by 1 unit, from 18 to 19 (6% growth). These fast casual deli restaurants are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a $4-$12+ per person price range. Seating is for about 50. Trading areas are AZ, CA, CO, GA, MD, ME, NV and OH.

Wilmington, DE-based IRON HILL BREWERY & RESTAURANT (founded 1996) has increased by 1 unit, from 11 to 12 (9% growth). These family style American restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, with a $10-$30+ per person check average. Full bar service is offered and seating is for about 225. Catering is available. Trading areas are DE, NJ and PA.

Carlsbad, CA-based ISLANDS RESTAURANTS (founded 1982) has increased by 1 unit, from 54 to 55 (2% growth). These family style burger restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, with a $10-$30+ per person check average. The restaurants have full bar service and seating for about 200. The restaurants are located in AZ, CA, HI and NV.

San Antonio, TX-based J ANTHONY\’S SEAFOOD (founded 2004) has increased by 1 unit, from 3 to 4 (33% growth). These family/casual seafood restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, with a $10-$30+ per person check average. Seating is for about 80. All locations are in TX.

New York, NY-based HUNDRED ACRES RESTAURANT BAR (founded 1999) has added a new concept called Rosie\’s. Other company concepts include Cookshop (1), Hundred Acres Restaurant Bar (1) and Vic\’s (1). Overall company increase was from 3 to 4 (33% company growth). The concepts are upscale, offering multiple types of cuisine. Meal periods are lunch and dinner, with a $15-$50+ per person check average. The restaurants have full bar service seating for about 90. Catering and banquet options are available. All the restaurants are located in NY.

Calgary, AB-based JUGO JUICE (founded 1998) has increased by 5 units, from 134 to 139 (4% growth). These fast casual juice/smoothie shops are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner hours, with a $4-$12+ per person price range. Seating is for about 20. All the stores are franchised and trade in AB, BC, MB, NB, NS, NV, ON and PQ.

Largo, FL-based KER\’S WINGHOUSE (founded 1994) has increased by 5 units, from 24 to 29 (21% growth). The restaurants are family/casual, specializing in chicken. Locations have full bar service and average seating for about 300. Catering, private party and online ordering options are available. All the restaurants are in FL.

Emerging and Re-emerging Concepts

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

Seattle, WA-based HEAVY RESTAURANT GROUP (founded 2001) has added two new concepts called Meet the Moon and The Commons, for an overall company increase from 7 to 9 (29% growth). Other company concepts include: Barrio (1), Cast Iron Studios (1), Lot No. 3 (1) and Purple (4). The restaurant concepts are upscale, open for lunch and dinner, with a $15-$50+ per person check average. The restaurants serve American cuisine and offer full bar service. Seating is for about 100. Catering and private party services are available. The restaurants are located in WA.

Witchita, KS-based HOG WILD PIT BBQ (founded 2002) has increased by 5 units, from 11 to 16 (45% growth). These family/casual BBQ restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, with a $6-$15+ per person check average. Seating is for about 100 and catering is available. Trading areas are KS and NE.

Michigan-based LOGAN\’S ALLEY (founded 2000) has added two new concepts called Little Lucy\’s Cafe and Brighton Graye\’s Bistro. Other company concepts are Derby Station (1), Graydon\’s Crossing (1) and Logan\’s Alley (1). Overall company increase was from 3 to 5 (67% company growth). The restaurants are family/casual, open for lunch and dinner, with an $8-$20+ per person check average. The restaurants have full bar and average seating for about 70. All the restaurants are located in MI.

Montreal, PQ-based EGGSPECTATION (founded 1993) has increased by 4 units, from 20 to 24 (20% growth) and entered into TX. The restaurants are family/casual, specializing in breakfast foods. Locations are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Per person check average is $6-$15+, with full bar service and average seating for about 200. Private party services are available. Trading areas are MD, ON, PQ, TX and VA.

Repeat Growers

Concepts previously written about in the past 18 months. 

Birmingham, AL-based JACK\’S FAMILY RESTAURANTS (founded 1960) has increased by 7 units, from 133 to 140 (5% growth). These quick serve American restaurants are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a $4-$12+ per person price range. Seating is for about 20. Trading areas are AL, GA, MS, and TN. We last featured this concept on 9/1/15 (9% growth).

Grapevine, TX-based COTTON PATCH CAFE (founded 1989) has increased by 2 units, from 45 to 47 (4% growth). These family/style restaurants serve American cuisine and are open for lunch and dinner. Per person check average is $6-$15+. Beer and wine are served and seating is for about 100. Catering is also available. Trading areas are NM, OK and TX. Franchising is available. We last wrote about this concept on 9/15/15 (7% growth).