keithgellman's blog

See the newly release Top 200 Pizza Chains by unit number, worldwide.

Restaurantchains.net releases its list of the top 20 fastest growing restaurant concepts in the U.S. and Canada.

Data reflects change and activity during the most recent four-month period from July 6, 2007 to November 6, 2007

Abbotsford, BC, Canada-based PANAGO PIZZA (founded 1986) has increased by 5 units, from 158 to 163 (3% growth). These are take-out/delivery pizza shops, open for lunch and dinner. More than 90% of units are franchised. Locations are in the provinces of AB, BC, MB, ON, and SK.

Dallas, TX-based LA MADELEINE BAKERY CAFE & BISTRO (founded 1983) has opened 2 units over the period, from 59 to 61 (3% growth). The concept is a fast casual French bakery/café, with a $4-$10 per person check average and seating for about 125. Meal periods are breakfast, lunch and dinner. Beer and wine is served. Catering packages and private party room are available at most locations. Trading areas are DC, GA, LA, MD, TX, and VA.

JIMBOY'S TACOS of Roseville, CA (founded 1954) has increased by 6 units, from 48 to 54 (13% growth). Units are quick serve with some serving beer. Seating is for about 80 and the per person check average is around $3-$6. Locations are more than 90% franchised and are in CA and NV.

Fastest Growing Restaurant Concepts For the Four-Month Period Between June 17 to October 17 

RestaurantChains.net is a weekly newsletter covering public and private restaurant chains featuring under-reported unique facts relating to growth. Pertinent information is gathered, verified and analyzed in-house using proprietary methods created in our research and library departments. In order to receive specific personnel for companies mentioned along with full profiles, you must be a client.  

Regarding growth stories listed: We publish net unit growth from (each company has their own four-month cycle, percentages are not annualized as a result) one four-month period to the next. This is performed by re-verifying net growth figures of approximately 1,000 companies per month. Once our researchers identify the following growth results from our research efforts, we highlight a new round of results each week in our newsletter. Featured growth stories are only a fraction of the growth stories received by clients.

WHICH WICH of Dallas, TX (founded 2003) has increased by 12 units, from 21 to 33 (57% growth) and expanded into IA and SC. These are quick service sandwich stores that are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Seating is for about 50 and the per person check average is around $3-$6. Catering is offered. We last reported on this concept in our 4/12/07 newsletter when they had 75% growth. The company also made it to #1 on our July '07 Top Ten Fastest Growing concepts list. Units are more than 90% franchised and are located in AZ, CO, FL, GA, IA, OK, SC, TN and TX.

Franchisor America's Incredible Pizza Sees Incredible Growth For Past 4 Months, Other Fastest Growing Restaurant Chains Like Taco Del Mar Also Listed

Writer's Note: Excerpts from a weekly newsletter covering public and private restaurant chains featuring under-reported unique facts relating to growth. Pertinent information is gathered, verified and analyzed in-house using proprietary methods created in our research and library departments. In order to receive specific personnel for companies mentioned along with full profiles, you must be a client. Data reflects change in activity during the most recent four-month period from 06/10/07- 10/10/07.

Regarding growth stories listed: We publish net unit growth from (each company has their own four-month cycle, percentages are not annualized as a result) one four-month period to the next. This is performed by re-verifying net growth figures of approximately 1,000 companies per month. Once our researchers identify the following growth results from our research efforts, we highlight a new round of results each week in our newsletter. Featured growth stories are only a fraction of the growth stories received by clients.

AMERICA'S INCREDIBLE PIZZA CO of Springfield, MO (founded 2002) has increased by 3 units, from 10 to 13 (30% growth). These are family entertainment locations with a capacity of about 450. The per person check average is $4-$10 and banquet/buffet service is offered. We last reported on this company in our 4/24/2007 newsletter when they had 43% growth. Locations are 61% franchised and are in LA, MO, OK and TX.

FOX TV's Kitchen Nightmares Wouldn't Work So Well With Multi-Units

Because Multi-units have what's called Standards of Operations (SOP). As a previous family restaurant operator and a chain GM I learned the difference, clearly.

The TV Show Kitchen Nightmares (for those who have not seen it), has Gordon Ramsey (famous restaurateur) entering into a restaurant that is failing for some reason(s) or another.

Gordon than (correctly and quickly it seems) does a review of the restaurant from the front door to the back. What he finds in each and every mission is a staff that seems oblivious in many facets of restaurant operations.

You would never see so many obvious mishaps in a multi-unit operators store because they have SOP's. A manager or supervisor almost always has a reference as to what to place here, there, and everywhere (for the most part). Then (optimally) how to hire, train, supervise and execute shifts, all with forms of documentation and feedback.

Of course, not all chain stores work this way, but by and large they (the big chains) mostly all have MANUALS.

RestaurantChains.net issues October's Top Ten list of the of the fastest growing restaurant chain concepts with 50 operating stores or less.

Irvington, NY -- RestaurantChains.net releases October's Top Ten list of the fastest growing restaurant chain concepts with 50 operating stores or less. The list is comprised of unique brand restaurant concepts headquartered in the U.S. and Canada. In order to qualify for the list, restaurant chains must have begun this research period with at least 3 units and less than 50 units. Growth had to be at least 4 units. Each company has their own four-month period of research. Research dates of discovery for October's list is 6/20/07-9/20/07.

Displayed in order by percentage growth:

1. Salad Creations Of America- 140%
2. Wings Etc- 50%
3. The Original Soupman- 32%
4. Spicy Pickle- 25%
5. Hurricane Grill And Wings- 24%
6. Joey's Seafood And Grill- 19%
7. Flemings Prime Steakhouse-18%
8. Garlic Jim's Famous Gourmet Pizza- 15%
9. Sansai Japanese Grill- 15%
10. Let's Dish!- 14%

Some of the biggest restaurant movers from April 28 - August 29, 2007

Writer's note: This list is from a weekly newsletter covering public and private restaurant chains featuring under-reported unique facts relating to growth. Pertinent information is gathered, verified and analyzed in-house using proprietary methods created in our research and library departments. We publish net unit growth from (each company has their own four-month cycle, percentages are not annualized as a result) one four-month period to the next. This is performed by re-verifying net growth figures of approximately 1,000 companies per month. Once our researchers identify the following growth results from our research efforts, we highlight a new round of results each week in our newsletter. Featured growth stories are only a fraction of the growth stories received by clients.

Emerging and growing concepts:

JIM 'N NICK'S BAR-B-Q headquartered in Birmingham, AL (founded 1985) has increased by 2 units, from 20 to 22 (10% growth). These are family/casual BBQ restaurants with full bar and seating for about 100. The per person check average is around $6-$10. Locations are in AL, CO, FL, GA, SC and TN. We last wrote about this concept in our 1/23/07 newsletter when they had 25% growth. The company was also ranked #8 on our April '07 Top Ten Fast Growers List.

Writer's Note: Below is a list of growing and emerging concepts from the Restaurantchains.net Weekly Newsletter. This weeks newsletter reflects activity captured from 04/14/07 to 08/14/07. We publish net unit growth from (each company as their own four-month cycle) one four-month period to the next. This is performed by re-verifying net growth figures of approximately 1,000 companies per month. Once our researchers identify the following growth results from our research efforts, we highlight a new round of results each week in our newsletter. Featured growth stories are only a fraction of the growth stories received by clients.

SALAD CREATIONS OF AMERICA of Margate, FL (founded 2002) has increased by 14 units, from 10 to 24 (140% growth). The company has now expanded into AZ, CA, GA, HI, IL, MI, MN, RI and SC. These are fast casual restaurants featuring salads, soups and sandwiches. Locations seat around 50 and the per person check average is about $4-$10. Units are more than 90% franchised and current trading areas are AZ, CA, FL, GA, HI, IL, MI, MN, NC, OH, RI, SC and VA.

Five Guys Burgers & Fries, Cheeburger Cheeburger, Leo's Coney Island, Milio's Sandwiches and Buffalo Wild Wings Among Fast Growing. Exceptionally Shrinking Chains Listed Too.

Writer's Note: Below is a list of growing and emerging concepts from the Restaurantchains.net Weekly Newsletter. This weeks newsletter reflects activity captured from 04/07/07 to 08/07/07. We publish net unit growth from (each company as their own four-month cycle) one four-month period to the next. This is performed by
re-verifying net growth figures of approximately 1,000 companies per month. Once
our researchers identify the following growth results from our research efforts, we
highlight a new round of results each week in our newsletter. Featured growth stories are
only a fraction of the growth stories received by clients.

BIG BURRITO RESTAURANT GROUP headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA (founded 1993) has increased by 2 units, from 14 to 16 (14% growth). The company opened a new Mad Mex location in Cranberry, PA and also a new concept called Café Phipps. Locations tend to be family/casual with full bar and seating for about 200. Current concepts are Casbah (1), Eleven (1), Kaya (1), Mad Mex (9), Soba (1), Umi (1), Warhal Café (1) and Café Phipps (1). Cuisines for the different concepts vary from Mexican to Asian, American and Sushi. Locations are company owned and are in OH and PA.

CHEEBURGER CHEEBURGER of Fort Myers, FL (founded 1986) has increased by 2 units, from 61 to 63 (3% growth) and expanded into CA and MO. These are family/casual service restaurants with seating for about 70. Beer and wine is served and the per person check average is around $6-$15+. Locations are more than 90% franchised and are in AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, FL, LA, MD, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NY, PA, SC, TN and VA.