Some chain restaurants are gaining sales traction. So far in quarter three of the 2009 earnings season, most chain restaurants have delivered “good” earnings results: generally negative sales comp results, favorable commodity and other cost reductions and as a result meeting EPS expectations.

Currently with 38 locations, franchisor Genghis Grill this report is opening stores at a rapid pace. Below are a few of the top growing restaurants concepts in the last four months, having grown in units by at least 5% if they have less than 50 restaurants.

Most of the chain restaurant earnings for the quarter are now in, but it will be interesting to watch Burger King on August 25.   This quarter, virtually all companies beat analysts estimates based on commodity and other cost structure reductions, all of which essentially fall 100% through to the bottom line.