Growing Concepts
Concepts that have grown by at least 5% (if less than 50 units).
Iselin, NJ-based BUGABOO CREEK STEAKHOUSE (founded 1993) has increased by 1 unit, from 12 to 13 (8% growth). This is a family/casual steakhouse concept, open for lunch and dinner. Per person check average is $10-$30, serving full bar. Seating is for around 200. Trading areas are DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, and NY.
San Antonio, TX-based WHATABURGER (founded 1950) has increased by 14 units, from 721 to 735 (2% growth). This is a quick serve burger concept, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a $2-$6 per person price range. The restaurants seat about 50 and offer drive-thru service. Units are franchised and trade in AL, AR, AZ, FL, GA, LA, MS, NM, OK, and TX.
CAPITAL GRILLE (Darden Restaurants) of Orlando, FL (founded 1999) has increased by 1 unit, from 45 to 46 (2% growth). This is an upscale steakhouse concept with full bar and seating for around 250. Meal periods are lunch and dinner. Per person check average is around $15-$30+. Catering and banquet services are offered. Locations are in AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, IL, IN, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NV, NY, PA, RI , TX, VA, WA and WI.
JOHNNY’S TAVERN based in Overland Park, KS (founded 1953) has increased by 1 unit, from 8 to 9 (13% growth). These are family/casual taverns with full bar and seating for around 125. Meal periods are lunch and dinner. Per person check average is around $6-$12. Catering and patio seating are available. Locations are in KS and MO.
JAK’S GRILL based in Seattle, WA (founded 1996) has increased by 1 unit, from 3 to 4 (33% growth) adding a new concept called Sunset Alehouse. The Jak’s Grill concept has 3 units. These are upscale restaurants with full bar and seating for around 80. Locations are open for dinner. Per person check average is around $15-$50+. Catering is available. All locations are in WA.
Emerging and Re-emerging Concepts
Concepts with 20 units or less who grew by at least 2 units.
Gulf Shores, AL-based SHRIMP BASKET (founded 1993) has increased by 3 units for the Shrimp Basket concept, from 11 to 14 (27% concept growth) and entered into MS. The company also operates Mikee’s Seafood (1) and The Steamer Baked Oyster Bar (1). Overall company increase was from 13 to 16 (23% company growth). These are family/casual seafood restaurants, open for lunch and dinner. Per person check average is $8-$20 and beer and wine are served. Seating is for about 125. Trading areas are AL, FL, and MS.
East Amherst, NY-based MIGHTY TACO (founded 1973) has increased by 2 units, from 18 to 20 (11% growth). This is a fast casual concept, open for lunch and dinner. Per person price range is $3-$8. Seating is for about 70 and drive-thru service is available. All units are in NY.
Repeat Growers
Concepts previously written about in the past 18 months.
Mississauga, ON-based EXTREME BRANDZ (founded 1997) has increased by 14 units for the Extreme Pita concept, from 228 to 242 (6% concept growth) and entered into CO, GA, and NH. The company also increased by 9 units for their Mucho Burrito concept, from 37 to 46 (24% concept growth). Overall company increase was from 265 to 288 (9% growth). These are fast casual sandwich and Mexican restaurants, open for lunch and dinner hours. Per person price range is $4-$10. Beer is served at select Mucho Burrito locations. Catering, delivery, and online ordering services are available. We last wrote about this company on 8/2/11 (14% growth).
Orange City, IA-based PIZZA RANCH (founded 1981) has increased by 9 units, from 158 to 167 (6% growth). This is a pizza buffet concept, open for lunch and dinner. Per person price range is $4-$10. Beer is served and seating is for about 90. Delivery service is available. Trading areas are IA, IL, KS, MI, MN, ND, NE, SD, and WI. We last featured this concept on 9/6/11 (2% growth).
Houston, TX-based IGNITE RESTAURANT GROUP has increased by 7 units for the Joe’s Crab Shack concept, from 121 to 128 (6% concept growth) and entered into MA. Ignite also operates the 16-unit Brick House Tavern & Tap concept. Overall company increase was from 138 to 144 (4% growth), due to a 1-unit closure for Brick House Tavern & Tap. The restaurants are family casual, serving seafood and American cuisines. Per person check average is $10-$30 and seating is for around 200. The restaurants have full bar service and offer private party facilities. Trading areas are AL, AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NE, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, and WA. We wrote about this company on 5/3/11 (5% growth) and on 12/20/11 (6% growth).
California-based TENDER GREENS (founded 2006) has increased by 1 unit, from 7 to 8 (14% growth). This fast casual sandwich and salad concept is open for lunch and dinner, with a $6-$12 per person check average. Beer and wine are served and seating is for about 60. Catering and online ordering services are available. All locations are in CA. We featured this concept on 4/19/11 (25% growth) and on 9/6/11 (40% growth).
CRUMBS BAKESHOP based in New York, NY (founded 2003) has increased by 6 units, from 45 to 51 (13% growth) and expanded into MA. These are quick serve bakeshops with limited seating. Locations are open during breakfast, lunch and dinner hours. Per person check average is around $4-$10. Catering is offered. Locations are in CA, CT, DC, IL, MA, NJ, NY and VA. We last reported on this company’s growth on 11/15/11 (29% growth).
FRESHII based in Chicago, IL (founded 2005) has increased by 6 units, from 47 to 53 (13% growth) and expanded into OH. This fast casual deli concept is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Seating is for around 50. Per person check average is around $3-$8. Catering and delivery services are available. Locations are more than 60% franchised and are in AB, BC, CA, CO, DC, IL, MA, MD, OH, ON, OR, PA, TN and TX. We reported on this concept on 10/25/11 (15% growth).
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