Fast Casual location counts and four year growth chart

Growing Concepts of Multi Unit Operators

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

South Carolina-based TABLE 301 (founded 1997) has increased by 1 unit, from 7 to 8 (14% growth), with the addition of a new concept called Southern Pressed Juicery.  Other company concepts are Nose Dive (1), Papi\’s Tacos (3), Passerelle Bistro (1), Soby\’s/Loft (1) and The Lazy Goat (1).  The restaurants are a mixture of upscale and fast casual concepts, open for lunch and dinner, with an $6-$20+ per person price range.  Some of the concepts offer full bar service.  Average unit has seating for about 150.  Multiple types of cuisine are served.  All the restaurants are in SC.

New Hampshire-based FRATELLO\’S RISTORANTE INC has increased by 1 unit for the Fratello\’s concept, from 2 to 3 (50% concept growth).  The company also operates a 2-unit concept called Homestead.  Overall company increase was from 4 to 5 (25% company growth).  These family/casual Italian restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, with a $10-$30+ per person check average.  Restaurants have full bar service and seating for about 225.  Catering is available.  All the restaurants trade in NH.

Dallas, TX-based CORNER BAKERY CAFE (founded 1991) has increased by 10 units, from 187 to 197 (5% growth) and entered into IN, KY, MT and WA.  This fast casual bakery/cafe is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a $4-12+ per person price range.  Units seat about 80 and offer catering and delivery options.  Trading areas are AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MS, MT, NJ, NM, OK, PA, RI, TX, UT, VA, WA and WI.  

Santa Ana, CA-based NEKTER JUICE BAR (founded 2010) has increased by 11 units, from 50 to 61 (22% growth).  This fast casual juice/smoothie shop is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with an $8-$20+ per person price range.  Units seat about 40.  Trading areas are AZ, CA, CO, NV and TX.

Seattle, WA-based ZOKA COFFEE ROASTER & TEA COMPANY (founded 1996) has increased by 1 unit, from 3 to 4 (33% growth). These fast casual bakery/cafe restaurants are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner hours, with a $4-$12+ per person price range. Seating is for about 50. Locations are in WA.

Houston, TX based ESCALANTE\’S MEXICAN GRILL (founded 1993) has increased by 1 unit, from 5 to 6 (20% growth). These family style Mexican cuisine restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, with a $10-$30+ per person check average. The restaurants have full bar and seating for about 600. Catering is also available. The restaurants are in TX.

Austin, TX-based K & N MANAGEMENT (founded 1989) has increased by 1 unit for the Mighty Fine Burgers Fries Shakes concept, from 4 to 5 (25% concept growth) for an overall company increase from 8 to 9 (13% growth). The company also operates Rudy\’s Country Store Bbq (4). The concepts are quick serve, serving burger and bbq, with a $4-$12+ per person check average. Meal periods are lunch and dinner, with average seating for about 100.  Beer is served at select locations. Catering and drive-thru services are also available. All the restaurants are located in TX.

Bloomington, MN-based DOOLITTLES RESTAURANTS (founded 1989) has increased by 1 unit for the Porter Creek Hardwood Grill concept, from 1 to 2 (100% concept growth) for an overall company increase from 6 to 7 (17% company growth). Other company concept is Doolittles Woodfire Grill (5). These family style American cuisine restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, with an $8-20+ per person check average. Full bar service is available and seating is for about 200. Trading areas are MN and ND.

Emerging and Re-emerging Concepts

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

Louisville, KY-based WILD EGGS RESTAURANT CAFE (founded 2007) has increased by 7 units, from 8 to 15 (88% growth) and entered into IN, OH and TN.  These family/casual restaurants specialize in breakfast foods, open for breakfast and lunch.  Locations have full bar and average seating for around 80.  Trading areas are CO, IN, KY, OH and TN.  Franchising opportunities are now available.  

Denver, CO-based DAZBOG COFFEE COMPANY (founded 1996) has increased increased by 7 units, from 19 to 26 (37% growth). These quick serve coffee shops are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner hours, with a $4-$12+ per person price range. Seating is for about 20. Shops are franchised and trade in CO and WY.

Berwyn, IL-based BUONA RESTAURANTS (founded 1980) has increased by 3 units for the Buona Beef concept, from 14 to 17 (21% concept growth) for an overall company increase from 15 to 18 (20% growth). The company also operates Brett Favre\’s Steakhouse (1). These fast casual Italian restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, with a $6-$15+ per person check average. Beer and wine service is served and seating is for about 50. Catering is also available. Trading areas are IL and WI.

Los Angeles, CA-based MENDOCINO FARMS SANDWICH MARKET has increased by 6 units for the Mendocino Farms concept, from 9 to 15 (67% concept growth) for an overall company increase from 10 to 16 (60% company growth). The company also operates Blue Cow Kitchen (1). These fast casual sandwich restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, with an $8-20+ per person check average. Beer and wine service is offered and seating is for about 50. Catering is also available. Trading areas are located in CA.

Repeat Growers

Concepts previously written about in the past 18 months. 

Dallas, TX-based WHICH WICH (founded 2003) has increased by 45 units, from 367 to 412 (12% concept growth) and entered into OR and Kuwait. The company also operates a 2 unit concept called Buruesa Burger.  Overall company increase was from 369 to 414 (12% company growth).  These fast casual concepts are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a $4-$12+ per person check average.  Units seat about 50 and offer catering service.  Locations are franchised and trade in AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, Mexico, South America and the Middle East.  We last featured this company on 11/3/15 (21% growth).

Athens, GA-based ZAXBY\’S (founded 1990) has increased by 92 units, from 705 to 797 (13% growth) and entered into KS.  This fast casual chicken concept is open for lunch and dinner, with a $6-$15+ per person check average.  Units seat about 90 and offer catering and drive-thru services.  All locations are franchised and trade in AL, AR, FL, GA, IN, KS, KY, LA, MO, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, UT and VA.  We last wrote about this concept on 9/22/15 (12% growth).