Fastest Growing: From Season Pizza to Rum Runners USA

Here is a list of some of the fastest growing restaurant brands in the last four months during the most recent four-month period from May 21, 2009 to September 21, 2009. Restaurants that are franchised are highlighted in bold.

Concepts previously written about in the past 18 months.

Newark, DE-based SEASONS PIZZA & RESTAURANT has increased by 2 units, from 21 to 23 (10% growth).  These are family/casual Italian/pizza restaurants, open for lunch and dinner.  Per person price range is $6-$12.  Beer and wine are served.  Seating is for about 60.  Catering, delivery, private party and online ordering services are available.  Locations are in DE, MD, NJ, and PA.  Between 20% and 30% of the stores are franchised.  We previously featured this concept on 8/5/08 (13% growth) and on 4/19/09 (11% growth).

EARLS based in North Vancouver, BC (founded 1982) has increased by 4 units, from 59 to 63 (7% growth).  These are family/casual restaurants with full bar and seating for about 250.  Lunch and dinner are served.  The per person check average is around $10-$30.  Locations are in AB, AZ, BC, CO, MB, ON, SK and YT.  We wrote about this concept on 12/9/08 (4% growth) and on 5/20/09 (4% growth).

Charlotte, NC-based BOJANGLES' FAMOUS CHICKEN & BISCUITS (founded 1977) has increased by 14 units, from 437 to 451 (3% growth).  The restaurants are quick serve, with a $3-$8 per person check average.  Meal periods are breakfast, lunch and dinner, with an average seating for around 50.  Locations are franchised and located in AL, FL, GA, MD, NC, PA, SC, TN, and VA.  We wrote about this concept on 10/7/08 (5% growth) and on 1/20/09 (5% growth).

PIZZA KING headquartered in Lafayette, IN (founded 1955) has increased by 1 unit, from 45 to 46 (2% growth).  These are quick serve restaurants with seating for about 40.  Beer and wine are served.  Catering and banquets are offered.  All locations are franchised and are in IN.  We last reported on this concept on 4/28/09 (13% growth).

Calgary, AB-based EDO JAPAN (founded 1977) has increased by 3 units, from 91 to 94 (3% growth).  These are fast casual Japanese restaurants, open for lunch and dinner.  Per person check average is $6-$12.  Most locations have seating for around 40.  Units are franchised and located in AB, BC, CA, HI, NM, ON, PQ, SK, UT, and WA.  We wrote about this concept on 2/3/09 (5% growth) and on 6/2/09 (5% growth).

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

Hayward, CA-based MOUNTAIN MIKE'S PIZZA (founded 1978) has increased by 2 units, from 132 to 134 (2% growth).  These quick serve pizzerias are open for lunch and dinner, with a $4-$10 per person check average.  Beer and wine are served.  Average units have seating for about 50.  Catering, delivery and online ordering are available.  Trading areas are CA, NV, OR, and UT.  More than 90% of the stores are franchised.

RUM RUNNERS USA headquartered in Raleigh, NC (founded 1995) has increased by 1 unit, from 5 to 6 (20% growth) and expanded into AL.  These are family/casual restaurants with full bar and seating for about 200.  The check average is around $10-$30 per person.  Catering and banquets are offered.  Locations are now in AL, FL, IN, MI and NC.  Franchising is offered.

Chicago, IL-based LETTUCE ENTERTAIN YOU ENTERPRISES (founded 1971) has increased by 1 unit, from 71 to 72 (1% growth) and entered into CA, with the addition of a new concept called La Grande Orange.  Other concepts are Antico Posto (1), Ben Pao (1), Big Bowl (8), Big Bowl Chinese Express (7), Brasserie Jo (1), Café Ba Ba Reeba (2), Community Canteen (1), Di Pescara (1), Don & Charlie's (1), Eiffel Tower (1), Everest (1), Foodlife (1), Frankie's Fifth Floor (1), Hub 51 (1), Joe's Seafood (2), L. Woods (1), L20 (1), Maggiano's Little Italy (6), Magic Pan Crepe Stand (2), Mity Nice Grill (1), Mon Ami Gabi (5), Nacional 27 (1), Osteria Via Stato (1), Petterino's (1), Pizzeria Via Stato (1), Reel Club (1), Rj Grunt's (1), Scoozi (1), Shaw's Crab House (2), Stripburger (1), Tru (1), Tucci Benucch (1), Twin City Grill (1), Vong's Thai Kitchen (1), Wildfire (8), and Wow Bao (3).  The restaurants are mostly upscale concepts, with a $15-$50+ per person check average.  Meal periods are lunch and dinner.  Full bar is available and average seating is about for about 150.  Catering and banquet facilities are available.  Trading areas are AZ, CA, GA, IL, MD, MN, NV, VA, and WI. 

ELEPHANT & CASTLE based in Boston, MA (founded 1977) has increased by 1 unit, from 23 to 24 (4% growth).  These are family/casual European restaurants with full bar and seating for about 300.  The check average is around $8-$20.  Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served.  Catering is available.  Locations are more than 20% franchised and are in AB, BC, CA, DC, IL, MA, MB, NJ, ON, PA and WA.

WINGMAN of Northglenn, CO (founded 1981) has increased by 1 unit, from 8 to 9 (13% growth) and expanded into NY.  These are quick serve restaurants with seating for about 50.  Beer is served. Catering is offered.  The check average is around $3-$8 per person.  Locations are more than 70% franchised and are in CO, NJ, NY and WA.  

This a sample of RestaurantChains.net's list of fastest growing restaurant concepts. The site publishes more net unit growth figures (each company has their own four-month cycle and companies have varied verification dates, percentages are not annualized as a result) from one four-month period to the next. This is performed by re-verifying net growth figures of approximately 1,000 companies per month. Once researchers identify the following growth results from our research efforts, we highlight a new round of results each week in our newsletter. The featured growth stories above are only a fraction of the growth stories received by clients.