Restaurant Trends - Growing And Emerging Concepts - Data reflects change and activity from September 25, 2009 to January 25, 2010

Growing Concepts that have grown by at least 5% (if less than 50 units).
Markham, ON-based SARKU JAPAN (founded 1987) has increased by 6 units for the Sarku Japan concept, from 188 to 194 (3% concept growth) and entered into OK. The company also operates Ginger Pad (1), Kato's Cajun (7), and Ming Tree (5). Overall company growth is from 201 to 207 (3% company growth). These are fast casual Japanese restaurants, all located in mall food courts. Meal periods are lunch and dinner, with a $4-$8 per person check average. Between 20% and 30% of stores are franchised. Trading areas are AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, and WV.

CHANELLO'S PIZZA based in Virginia Beach, VA (founded 1987) has increased by 2 units, from 24 to 26 (8% growth). These are take-out/delivery pizza stores open for lunch and dinner. Locations are more than 60% franchised and are in NC and VA.

POPEYE'S CHICKEN & BISCUITS based in Atlanta, GA (founded 1972, Nasdaq: AFCE) has increased by 21 units, from 1922 to 1943 (1% growth). These are quick serve chicken restaurants with seating for around 80. The per person check average is around $3-$8. Catering, take out and drive thru are offered. Locations are 98% franchised and are in AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV and WY.

Rancho Cordova, CA-based PIZZA GUYS (founded 1986) has increased by 4 units, from 56 to 60 (7% growth). These are quick serve pizzerias, open for lunch and dinner, with limited seating. Delivery is available. Units are franchised and trade in CA and NV.

STUMPTOWN COFFEE ROASTERS based in Portland, OR (founded 1999) has increased by 1 unit, from 7 to 8 (14% growth) and expanded into NY. These are quick serve coffee restaurants with seating for around 40. Beer and wine are served. Online ordering is offered. The check average is around $2-$6 per person. Locations are in NY, OR and WA.

PIZZA RANCH based in Orange City, IA (founded 1981) has increased by 5 units, from 143 to 148 (3% growth). These are buffet pizza restaurants with seating for around 90. Beer is offered. The check average is around $4-$10 per person. Meal periods are lunch and dinner. Locations are franchised and are in IA, IL, KS, MI, MN, ND, NE, SD and WI.

Concepts with 20 units or less who grew by at least 2 units.
Vancouver, BC-based FRESHSLICE PIZZA (founded 1999) has increased by 4 units, from 20 to 24 (20% growth). These take-out/delivery pizzerias are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Locations have limited seating. Online ordering is available. All stores are in BC.

BLT RESTAURANTS based in New York, NY (founded 2004) has increased by 2 units for their BLT Steaks concept, from 9 to 11 (22% concept growth) and by 1 unit for their BLT Burger concept, from 2 to 3 (50% concept growth). They have now expanded into HI and NC. Other company concepts are BLT Fish/ Fish Shack (1), BLT Market (1) and BLT Prime (1). Overall company growth is from 14 to 17 (21% company growth). Concepts tend to be upscale with full bar and seating for around 150.
Locations are in AZ, CA, DC, FL, GA, HI, NC, NV, NY China and Puerto Rico.

EMERIL'S HOMEBASE INC based in New Orleans, LA (founded 1990) has increased by 2 units, from 11 to 13 (18% growth). They have added 2 new concepts - Burgers and More, and Lagasse's Stadium. Other company concepts are Delmonico Steakhouse (1), Emeril's Chop House (1), Emeril's Delmonico (1), Emeril's Gulf Coast Fish House (1), Emeril's New Orleans Fish House (1), Emeril's Restaurant (3), Emeril's Tchoup Choup (1), Nola Restaurant (1) and Table 10 (1). Concepts tend to be upscale with full bar and seating for around 225. Per person check average range is from $15-$50+. Banquets are offered. Locations are in LA, MS, NV and PA.

Concepts previously written about in the past 18 months.
Savannah, GA-based CAREY HILLIARD'S has increased by 1 unit, from 7 to 8 (14% growth). These are family/casual restaurants, open for lunch and dinner. The restaurants serve a variety of barbecue, steak, chicken and seafood entrees, with a $6-$12 per person check average. Locations serve beer and have an average of 200 seats. Catering and banquet services are available. All units are in GA. We previously featured this concept on 8/18/09 (17% growth).

KOLACHE FACTORY based in Houston, TX (founded 1982) has increased by 3 units, from 37 to 40 (8% growth). These are mostly take-out bakery/cafés with limited seating. Locations are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Per person check average is around $3-$8. Trading areas are CO, IN, KS, MO and TX. We last reported on this concept on 3/31/09 (9% growth).

Louisville, KY-based TEXAS ROADHOUSE (NASDAQ: TXRH; founded 1993) has increased by 6 units, from 326 to 332 (2% growth). These are family/casual steakhouse restaurants, open for dinner only. Per person price range is $10-$30. Locations have a full bar and seating for about 250. Catering is available. Trading areas are AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WI, WV, and WY. Between 20% and 30% of the restaurants are franchised. We wrote about this company on 3/10/09 (3% growth) and on 8/18/09 (1% growth).

SUNSET GRILL RESTAURANTS based in Mississauga, ON (founded 1985) has increased by 3 units, from 21 to 24 (14% growth). These are family/casual restaurants with seating for around 80. Locations are open for breakfast and lunch. Beer and wine are served. Per person check average is around $4-$10. All locations are in ON.
We reported on this concept on 9/1/09 (11% growth).

Contact
Keith Gellman
Restaurantchains.net
1 Bridge St, Unit 94
Irvington, NY 10533
914-591-4297

http://www.restaurantchains.net
keith@restaurantchains.net

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