Growing Concepts of Multi Unit Operators

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

Richmond, BC-based NANDO’S CANADA (founded 1994) has increased by 3 units, from 41 to 44 (7% growth). These fast casual chicken restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, with an $8-$20+ per person check average. Seating is for about 60 and catering is available. Trading areas are AB, BC and ON.

Cary, NC-based SMITHFIELD CHICKEN & BBQ (founded 1964) has increased by 4 units, from 33 to 37 (12% growth). These fast casual BBQ restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, with a $4-$12+ per person check average. Seating is for about 40 and catering is available. All locations are in NC.

Vaughn, ON-based SHOELESS JOE\’S RESTAURANTS (founded 1985) has increased by 7 units, from 35 to 42 (20% growth). These family style American restaurants are open for lunch and dinne,r with a $10-$30+ per person check average. Full bar service is available and seating is for about 250. Locations are franchised. All the restaurants are in ON.

Vancouver, BC-based WHITESPOT RESTAURANTS (founded 1928) has increased by 2 units for their Triple O\’s concept, from 45 to 47 (4% growth) for an overall company increase from 109 to 111 (2% growth).  Their other company concept is Whitespot (64 units). These family style American cuisine restaurants are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with an $8-$20+ per person check average. The restaurants have full bar and seating is for about 150.  Locations are franchised and located in AB and BC.

Northbrook, IL-based KAMEHACHI OF TOKYO (founded 1967) has added a new concept called Hachi’s Lounge, for an overall company increase from 4 to 5 (25% company growth). Other company concepts include: Kamehachi Of Tokyo (2), Sushi Bar @ Westin Chicago River North (1) and Sushi Café (1). These upscale sushi restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, with a $15-$50+ per person check average. Full bar service is offered and catering is available. Locations are in IL.

Trafford, PA-based UNIQUE PIZZA & SUBS (founded 1991) has added a new concept called Unique Pizza Brewhouse, for an overall company increase from 7 to 8 (14% growth). The company also operates 7 Unique Pizza & Subs units. These quick serve pizza restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, with a $4-$12+ per person check average. Beer and wine service is offered at select locations.  Average seating is for about 30. Unique Pizza Brewhouse is more of a family/casual concept.  Locations are franchised. Trading areas are CA, PA and WI.

Orlando, FL-based URBAN LIFE MANAGEMENT RESTAURANT GROUP has added 2 new concepts called Soco and Baeorey.  Other concepts are Citrus Restaurant (1), Cityfish Restaurant (1) and Hue Restaurant (1). Overall company increase was from 3 to 5 (67% growth). These are upscale restaurants, open for lunch and dinner, with a $15-$50+ per person check average. Multiple cuisine types are offered.  Full bar service is available and seating is for about 175. Locations are in FL.

Merrillville, IN-based WHITE LODGING (founded 1985) has increased by 1 unit for their Osteria Pronto concept, from 1 to 2 (100% concept growth) and added new concepts Millioke, Tillers Kitchen & Bar, Burger Bar, Corner, Park 25, Copperfox Gastro Pub, 703 Bar & Kitchen, Pancetta, Canyons and Stella San Jac, for an overall company increase from 22 to 34 (55% growth). Other company concepts include: Bayfront Grille (1), Bin 595 (1), Blu Italian Mediterranean Grill (1), Champions (4), Circle City Bar & Grill (1), Coaches Bar & Grill (2), Dempsey\’s Irish American Grill (1), Flatz (1), High Velocity (1), Limestone Lounge & Kitchen (1), Mangos (1), Osteria Pronto (2), Parkway Grille (1), Sonoma\’z (1), Tgi Friday\’s (2), Tj Maloney\’s (1), T-miller\’s (1) and Urban (1). These family/casual restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, serving multiple cuisine types. Per person check average is $10-$30+, with full bar and seating is for about 200. Catering is available. Trading areas are CO, FL, IL, IN, KY, MI, TX and VA.

Scottsdale, AZ-based STAR BUFFETS (founded 1997) has increased by 7 units for the 4b\’s Restaurants concept, from 7 to 14 (100% concept growth) and by 2 units for the Pecos Diamond Steakhouse concept, from 1 to 3 (200% concept growth) and added a new concept called Whistle Junction. Other company concepts include: Barnhill\’s Buffet (1), Buddyfreddy\’s (1), Casa Bonita Mexican (1), B\’s Restaurants (6), Western Sizzlin (1). Overall company increase was from 20 to 29 (45% growth).  These American buffet 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 250. Trading areas are AL, AR, AZ, CO, FL, ID, MS, MT, NM, OK, OR, TN, TX, UT, WA and WY.

Whitehaven, MD-based SOUTHERN BOYS CONCEPTS (founded 1996) has increased by 1 unit, from 8 to 9 (13% growth) with the addition of a new concept called Encantada.  Other company concepts are Birroteca (2), Boonies Burgers Beer & Bait (1), Evolution Public House (1), Red Roost Restaurant (1), So Bo\’s Wine Bistro (1), Specific Gravity Pizzeria (1) and The Nickel Taphouse (1).  The restaurants are mostly family/casual, open for lunch and dinner, with a $10-$30+ per person check average.  The concepts have full bar service and average seating for about 150.  Private party services are available.  All the restaurants are located in MD.

Long Island, NY-based BAGEL BOSS (founded 1954) has increased by 1 unit, from 11 to 12 (9% growth).  These quick serve restaurants are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a $4-$12+ per person price range.  Locations have limited seating and offer catering, delivery and online ordering services.  All the restaurants trade in NY.

Chula Vista, CA-based LOLITA\’S TACO SHOP (founded 1984) has increased by 1 unit, from 5 to 6 (20% growth).  This fast casual Mexican concept is open for lunch and dinner, with a $4-$12+ per person check average.  Units seat about 50 and offer catering.  All the locations are in CA.

Emerging and Re-emerging Concepts

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

Springfield, MO-based GUSANO’S CHICAGO-STYLE PIZZERIA (founded 2004) has increased by 3 units, from 5 to 8 (60% growth) and entered into KS, TX and MO.  This family/casual pizzeria concept is open for lunch and dinner, with a $6-$15+ per person check average.  Locations have full bar and average seating for around 100.  All the restaurants are franchised and trade in AR, KS, MO and TX.

Waterbury, CT-based FRANKIE\’S FAMILY RESTAURANTS (founded 1937) has increased by 2 units, from 5 to 7 (40% growth).  This quick serve sandwich concept is open for lunch and dinner, with a $4-$12+ per person price range.  Units seat about 80 and offer catering and drive-thru service.  About half the locations are franchised.  All the restaurants are located in CT.

Lexington, KY-based BLUEGRASS HOSPITALITY GROUP (founded 1998) has increased by 1 unit for the Drake\’s concept, from 7 to 8 (14% concept growth) and added a new concept called Meats BBQ Market.  Other company concepts are Harry\’s (2), Malone\’s (3), Obc Kitchen (1) and Sal\’s Chophouse (1). Overall company increase was from 14 to 16 (14% growth).  The restaurants are mainly upscale, with a $15-$50+ per person check average.  Meal periods are lunch and dinner, serving steak and seafood.  The restaurants have full bar service and seating for around 200.  Banquet facilities are available.  Trading areas are AL, KY and TN.

Repeat Growers

Concepts previously written about in the past 18 months.
 

Southfield, MI-based ZOUP! FRESH SOUP COMPANY (founded 1998) has increased by 10 units, from 85 to 95 (12% growth) and entered into WA.  This fast casual soup/salad/sandwich concept is open for lunch and dinner, with a $4-$12+ per person price range.  Units seat about 50 and offer catering and online ordering options.  Locations are franchised and trade in CO, DC, DE, IL, IN, KY, MA, MI, MO, NE, NY, OH, ON, OR, PA, SD, VA, WA and WI.  We last featured this concept on 7/14/15 (55% growth).  

Athens, GA-based YOUR PIE (founded 2008) has increased by 9 units, from 26 to 35 (35% growth) and entered into AL, AZ, CA, MD, NC and TX.  This fast casual pizzeria is open for lunch and dinner, with a $6-$15+ per person price range.  Beer and wine are served and seating is for about 60.  Catering, delivery and online ordering are available.  The locations are franchised and trade in AL, AZ, CA, FL, GA, IL, MD, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX and VA.  We last wrote about this company on 6/2/15 (37% growth).