Fastest Growing Concepts in Restaurant Chains from June to October 2007

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.

ALESSIO'S ITALIAN RESTAURANT of GA (founded 2000) has increased by 1 unit, from 3 to 4 (33% growth). These are family/casual Italian/pizza restaurants serving beer and wine. Seating is for about 80 and the check average is around $8-$20 per person. All locations are company owned and located in GA.

CLYDE'S RESTAURANT GROUP based in Washington, DC (founded 1963) has increased by 1 unit for their Ebbitt concept from 1 to 2, and by 1 unit for their Clyde's concept, from 7 to 8. The overall company growth is from 14 to 16 (14% growth). The concepts tend to be upscale with full bar and seating for about 200. The per person check average is around $15-$30. Current concepts are 1789 (1), Clyde's (8), F Scott's (1), Old Ebbitt Grill/ Ebbitt Express (2), The Tombs (1), Tomato Palace (1), Tower Oaks Lodge (1) and Willow Creek Farm (1). Locations are in DC, MD and VA.

SPOLETO RESTAURANT of Northampton, MA has opened a new concept called Mama Iguana's growing from 5 to 6 units (20% growth). The new concept is upscale, featuring Mexican food. Seating is for about 150 and full bar is available. Current concepts are Del Raye Bar & Grill (1), Mama Iguana's (1), Pizzeria Paradiso (1), Spoleto Express (1) and Spoleto Restaurant (2). Cuisines include Italian, Mexican and American. All are located in MA.

JOHNNY'S NY STYLE PIZZA of Hapeville, GA (founded 1977) has increased by 3 units for their Johnny's NY Style Pizza concept, from 51 to 54 (6% concept growth). These are quick serve pizza restaurants serving beer and wine. Seating is for about 90 and catering is available. Current concepts are Johnny Brusco's (9) and Johnny's NY Style Pizza (54). All units are franchised and located in GA, KS, MS, TN and TX. Overall company growth is from 60 to 63. We previously wrote about this company in our 1/9/2007 newsletter when they had 15% growth.

MCCORMICK & SCHMICK'S SEAFOOD headquartered in Portland, OR (founded 1979 - ticker: MSSR) has increased by 5 units for their McCormick & Schmick's concept from 67 to 72 (7% concept growth). We featured this company in our 6/13/2006 newsletter when they experienced 9% overall growth. These are upscale seafood restaurants with full bar and seating for about 300. The per person check average is around $15-$50 and banquets are offered. The company's second concept (located in Canada) is called Boathouse Restaurants (5). Overall company growth is from 72 to 77. Units are in AL, AZ, BC, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, IL, IN, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, TX, VA and WA.

GLORIA'S RESTAURANT based in Dallas, TX has increased by 2 units, from 8 to 10 (25% growth). These are family/casual restaurants serving South American food. Seating is for about 150 and full bar is offered. The per person check average is around $8- $20. Catering and banquets are offered. All units are company owned and located in TX.

Eugene, OR-based CAFE YUMM (founded 1997) has opened 3 units, from 2 to 5 (150% growth). The chain is a fast casual soup, salad and sandwich concept, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with seating for about 90. Beer and wine is served. Per person check average is around $6-$10. Catering is available. All units are in OR.

Seattle, WA-based TACO DEL MAR (founded 1992) has opened 14 units during the period, from 255 to 269 (5% growth) and is now trading in the province of ON. Other trading areas are AB, AK, AZ, BC, CA, CO, HI, IA, ID, LA, MN, MS, MT, ND, NE, NV, OK, OR, SK, TN, TX, UT, and WA. We last featured this concept in our 6/19/07 newsletter (9% growth, entered 2 states). This is a fast casual Mexican concept, open for lunch and dinner, with a $4-$10 per person check average. Beer and wine is served. Seating is for about 30. Catering services are available. More than 90% of units are franchised.

Boisbriand, PQ, Canada-based CHEZ CORA (founded 1987) has opened 3 units, from 86 to 89 (3% growth). We last featured this concept in our 4/3/07 newsletter (6% growth; entered AB). These are family/casual American-style restaurants, open for breakfast and lunch. Beer and wine is served. Seating is for about 125. The restaurants are in the provinces of AB, MB, NB, NL, NS, ON, PE, and PQ. All locations are franchised.

Arkansas-based chain WHOLE HOG CAFÉ has opened 4 units during the period, from 5 to 9 (80% growth). These quick serve BBQ restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, with a $4-$10 per person check average. Beer and wine is served. Seating is for about 125. Units are in the states of AR, LA, NM, and TN.

Atlanta, GA-based FIRE OF BRAZIL has opened 1 unit for the Fire of Brazil concept, from 4 to 5 and also added a new Mexican concept, called Jalapeno Charlie's (1 unit). Overall company increase was from 4 to 6 (50% growth). Fire of Brazil restaurants are upscale Brazilian steakhouses, open for lunch and dinner, with a $50+ per person check average. There is seating for about 200. Jalapeno Charlie's seats about 150, with a $10-$15 per person check average. Both concepts have a full bar, with private party facilities available. Trading areas are GA and LA and Bahrain. A 2nd Jalapeno Charlie's is slated to open in Bahrain in 2008. A 3rd concept, called Checkered Parrot is also opening in Alpharetta, GA this fall. Less than 20% of locations are franchised.

Milford, OH-based BUFFALO WINGS & RINGS (founded 1988) has opened 5 units during the period, from 20 to 25 (25% growth) and entered into the state of IL. This concept was last covered in our 7/10/07 newsletter (29% growth, entered 2 states). These are family/casual restaurants, specializing in chicken wings. All locations are open for lunch and dinner, have a full bar and seating for about 200. Check average is about $6-$15+ per person. Catering is available. Trading areas are CA, FL, IL, IN, KY, NC, NY, OH, and TX. All locations are franchised.

Greenwood Village, CO-based RED ROBIN GOURMET BURGERS (NASDAQ: RRGP; founded 1969) has opened 10 units, from 363 to 373 (3% growth) and entered the state of FL. These are family/casual restaurants, serving American style cuisine. Locations have a full bar and seating for about 250. Per person check average is $8-$20. Meal periods are lunch and dinner. Trading areas are AB, AK, AL, AR, AZ, BC, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, NE, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, and WI. Locations are 36% franchised.

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Copyright 2007. All data is a representation of in house research including the perpetual surveying of more than 7300 restaurant chain concepts. Publisher accepts no responsibility for errors or omissions. Syndication of news stories are available to web and print publishers. Media inquiries are welcome. Please call 914-591-4297.