Growth Stories

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.

THE ORIGINAL SOUPMAN headquartered in New York, NY (founded 1984) has increased by 8 units, from 25 to 33 (32% growth). These are quick serve locations featuring soup with seating for around 20. Locations are mostly franchised. Trading areas are in CO, FL, NY, ON, PA, TX, VA, VT and now expanded to MA, MI, MO and NC.

Emeryville, CA-based JAMBA JUICE (NASDAQ: JMBA; founded 1990), has increased by 60 units, from 577 to 637 (10% growth). This quick serve juice/smoothie concept is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a $2-$6 per person check average. Seating is available for about 10 to 20 persons. Catering services are provided. About half of locations are franchised. Trading areas are AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, HI, ID, IL, MA, MD, MN, NC, NJ, NV, NY, OK, OR, PA, TX, UT, VA, WA, and WI, with a location in the Bahamas.

Chicago, IL-based BRAVO RESTAURANTS INC (founded 1978) has opened 2 units for their Gino's East concept, from 11 to 13 (18% concept growth). The company also operates Edwardo's (10 units) and Ed Debevic's (2 units). Overall company increase from 23 to 25. Gino's East and Edwardo's are family/casual Italian & pizza restaurants. Meal periods are lunch and dinner, with a $6-$15+ per person check average. Beer and wine is served. Seating is for about 100 for most locations. Catering, delivery and private party facilities are available. Ed Debevic's locations are family/casual American diners, with seating for over 200. Per person check average is $6-$15+. Company trading areas are IL, IN, and WI.

Richardson, TX-based WINGSTOP (founded 1994) has opened 23 units over the period, from 284 to 307 (8% growth), while also closing their 1 location in IN. We last featured this concept in our 4/24/07 newsletter (3% growth). These are quick serve chicken restaurants, open for dinner only, with a $6-$12 per person check average. Beer and wine is served. Seating is for about 60. Locations are in AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, ID, IL, KY, LA, MD, MO, MS, NC, NE, NM, NV, OH, OK, OR, SC, TN, TX, VA, and WI. More than 90% of locations are franchised.

Dallas, TX-based BAKER BROS AMERICAN DELI (founded 1999) has opened 2 units, from 10 to 12 (20% growth) and expanded into AR. Other trading areas are NV and TX. Restaurants are fast casual, serving American cuisine, with a $6-$12 per person check average, serving beer and wine. Catering is available. 50% of locations are franchised.

Denver, CO-based SPICY PICKLE SUB SHOP (founded 1999) has opened 5 units, from 20 to 25 (25% growth) and entered into the states of IL, OH and VA. We last wrote about this company in our 3/27/07 newsletter, when they had an 18% growth and expanded into NV. Restaurants are fast casual sandwich shops, with a $3-$8 per person check average. Seating is for about 30. Meal periods are lunch and dinner. Catering and delivery are available. Trading areas are CA, CO, IL, NV, OH, OR, SD, TX, and VA. More than 90% of locations are franchised. Spicy Pickle ranked #5 on our January 2007 Top Ten Fastest Growing concepts list.

DYNACO INC headquartered in Fresno, CA (founded 1978) has opened two new concepts, Huckleberry and Yukon Jack's. The total company increase is from 94 to 96 units (2% growth). These are family/casual restaurants that serve breakfast and lunch. Yukon Jack's also serves dinner. Seating is for around 125 and beer and wine are served. Total current concepts are Brooks Ranch (4), Cool Hand Luke's Steakhouse/ Saloon (5), Country Waffles (42), Huckleberry (1), Perkos Café (43) and Yukon Jack's (1). All locations are in CA.

CHARLIE PALMER RESTAURANTS based in New York, NY (founded 1997) has opened 2 new units at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, NV. The concepts are Charlie Palmer Steakhouse and a new seafood concept called Fin Fin. Locations are upscale dinner concepts with seating for approximately 200 at the steakhouse and 70 seats at Fin Fin. The check average is above $50 per person and banquet service is offered. The overall company increase is from 8 to 10 units (25% growth). Total current concepts are Astra (1), Aureole (2), Charlie Palmer Steakhouse (3), Dry Creek Kitchen (1), Fin Fin (1), Kitchen 22 (1) and Metrazur (1). Locations are in CA, DC, NV and NY.

SCRAMBLER MARIE'S BREAKFAST BISTRO of Holland, OH (founded 1990) has begun a new franchise program and increased by 2 units, from 12 to 14 (17% growth). These are family/casual restaurants open for breakfast and lunch. Seating is for about 250 and the per person check average is around $6-$12. Banquets are offered. Current locations are 14% franchised and located in OH and MI.

ZERO'S MR SUBMARINE based in Virginia Beach, VA (founded 1967) has decreased by 5 units, from 59 to 54 (8% downsizing). We last wrote about this concept in our 1/30/07 newsletter (6% downsizing). Locations are quick serve with seating for about 50. Beer is served and the check average is around $3-$6 per person. Units are more than 90% franchised and are located in CA, GA, FL, NC, NV and VA.

SHAKEY'S PIZZA of Alhambra, CA (founded 1954) has decreased by 3 units, from 55 to 52 (5% downsizing). We last wrote about this concept in our 3/6/07 newsletter (11% downsizing). These are fast casual restaurants with seating for about 200. Beer and wine are served and banquets are offered. Locations are in AZ, CA, GA, WA and WI.

Minneapolis, MN-based BUCA DI BEPPO (NASDAQ: BUCA; founded 1996) has closed 2 units from 93 to 91 (2% downsizing). These family/casual Italian restaurants are open for dinner only, with a $10-$30+ per person check average (lunch is available at some locations). Seating is for about 250. Banquet rooms are available. Trading areas are AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, HI, IL, IN, KY, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, PA, TN, TX, UT, WA, and WI.

Livingston, NJ-based THE BRIAD GROUP (founded 1987), a franchisee of TGI Friday's and Wendy's, has closed 4 of its Wendy's units, from 51 to 47 (8% downsizing) and 15 units for TGI Friday's, from 87 to 72 (17% downsizing). Overall company decrease was from 138 to 119 (14% company downsizing). Trading areas are AZ, CA, CT, NJ, NM, NV, NY, and PA.

Richardson, TX-based ROCKFISH SEAFOOD GRILL (founded 1994) has closed 2 locations, from 16 to 14 (13% downsizing). The company now no longer operates in the states of AZ and NM. This concept was mentioned in our 10/24/06 newsletter (20% downsizing over 8 months). The restaurants are family/casual, serving seafood, with a per person check average of $10-$30+. Meal periods are lunch and dinner. Seating is for about 250, with full bar service. Catering is available. Trading areas are NC and TX.