Restaurant Trends - Growing And Emerging Concepts - Data Reflects Change and Activity from November 1, 2009 to March 1, 2010

Growing Concepts that have grown by at least 5% (if less than 50 units).
Mill Creek, WA-based BLAZING ONION BURGER COMPANY (founded 2007) has increased by 1 unit, from 2 to 3 (50% growth). This fast casual burger concept is open for lunch and dinner, with an $8-$20 per person check average. Locations have a full bar with seating for about 50. All units are in WA.

SHRIMP SHACK based in Fort Myers, FL (founded 1998) has increased by 1 unit, from 2 to 3 (50% growth). These are family/casual seafood restaurants with full bar and seating for around 150. Banquets are offered. Lunch and dinner are served. Per person check average is around $6-$15+. Locations are in FL.

SOUTHWELL'S HAMBURGER GRILL based in Houston, TX has increased by 1 unit, from 3 to 4 (33% growth). These are quick serve restaurants with seating for around 80. Per person check average is around $4-$10. Lunch and dinner are served. Catering is offered. All locations are in TX.

Austin, TX-based CARINO'S ITALIAN GRILL (founded 1997) has increased by 2 units, from 146 to 148 (1% growth). These are family/casual Italian restaurants, open for lunch and dinner. Per person check average is $8-$20. Locations have a full bar and seating for about 250. Catering and online ordering are available. About half the restaurants are franchised. Trading areas are AL, AR, CA, CO, FL, GA, ID, IN, KS, KY, LA, MI, MO, MT, NC, ND, NJ, NV, OK, OR, PA, SD, TN, TX, UT, WA and the Middle East.

RICHMOND RESTAURANT GROUP of Richmond, VA (founded 1995) has increased by 1 unit, from 4 to 5 (25% growth) adding a new concept called The Water Grill. Other concepts are Deluxe Diner & Lounge (1), Europa Mediterranean Café & Tapas Bar (1), The Hard Shell (1) and The Hill Café (1). These are upscale restaurants with full bar and seating for around 80. Lunch and dinner are served. Catering and banquets are offered. The check average is around $15-$30+ per person. All locations are in VA.

Louisville, KY-based WICK'S PIZZA PARLOR (founded 1991) has increased by 1 unit, from 4 to 5 (25% growth) and entered into IN. Other units are in KY. These are family/casual Italian and pizza restaurants, open for lunch and dinner. Units have a full bar and seating for about 100. Per person check average is $6-$12. Catering and banquet services are available.

ESMERALDA'S CAFE HENRY CHAU based in Las Vegas, NV has increased by 1 unit, from 2 to 3 (50% growth). These are quick serve Mexican restaurants with seating for around 60. Meal periods are lunch and dinner. Check average is around $3-$8 per person. All locations are in NV.

PURPLE CAFE AND WINE BAR headquartered in Seattle, WA (founded 2001) has increased by 1 unit, from 3 to 4 (33% growth). These are upscale restaurants with full bar and seating for around 100. Catering and banquets are offered. Lunch and dinner are served. The check average is around $15-$30+ per person. All locations are in WA.

Concepts with 20 units or less who grew by at least 2 units.
Arkansas-based pizza chain LARRY'S PIZZA (founded 1992) has increased by 4 units, from 15 to 19 (27% growth). This is a pizza buffet concept, open for lunch and dinner. Units have seating for about 100. Catering and private party services are available. Locations are individually owned and operated and all trade in the state of AR.

CAMERON MITCHELL RESTAURANTS headquartered in Columbus, OH (founded 1993) has increased by 1 unit for Marcella's Ristorante from 2 to 3 (50% growth) and by 1 unit for Ocean Prime, from 5 to 6 (20% growth). Overall company growth from is from 15 to 17 (13% company growth). They have now expanded into TX. Units tend to be upscale with full bar and seating for around 250. Multiple cuisines are offered. Catering and banquets are available. Check averages are around $15-$30+ per person. Other concepts are Cameron's American Bistro (1), Cap City Diner (2), M (1), Martini Italian Bistro (1), Martini Modern Italian (1), Mitchell's Ocean Club (1) and Molly Woo's (1). Locations are in AZ, FL, KY, MI, OH and TX.

Concepts previously written about in the past 18 months.
Fayetteville, GA-based JOHNNY'S NY STYLE PIZZA (founded 1977) has increased by 1 unit for the Johnny’s NY Style Pizza concept, from 56 to 57 (2% concept growth) and by 2 units for the Johnny Brusco’s concept, from 13 to 15 (15% concept growth). Overall company increase is from 69 to 72 (4% overall growth). These are quick serve pizzerias, open for lunch and dinner. Beer and wine are served and seating is for about 90. Catering and delivery services are available. All locations are franchised. Trading areas are AL, AR, GA, KS, MS, NC, TN, and TX. We last wrote about this company on 10/27/09 (5% growth).

Huntington Beach, CA-based BJ'S RESTAURANTS (NASDAQ: BJRI; founded 1978) has increased by 4 units, from 88 to 92 (5% growth). These are family/casual restaurants, serving American cuisine. Per person check average is $10-$30, open for lunch and dinner. The restaurants have a full bar and seating for about 300. Online ordering and private party services are available. Trading areas are AZ, CA, CO, FL, IN, KY, LA, NV, OH, OK, OR, TX, and WA. We wrote about this company 3 times in the past 18 months (9/30/08-8% growth, 1/13/09-5% growth, and 10/20/09-5% growth).

UNCLE JULIO'S based in Irving, TX has increased by 1 unit, from 14 to 15 (7% growth). These are family/casual Mexican restaurants with full bar and seating for around 300. Lunch and dinner are served. Catering is offered. Per person check average is around $10-$30. Locations are in FL, GA, IL, MD, TX and VA. We last reported on this concept on 7/28/09 when they had 8% growth.

Minneapolis, MN-based BUFFALO WILD WINGS (NASDAQ: BWLD; founded 1982) has increased by 26 units, from 636 to 662 (4% growth) and entered into NJ. These are family/casual restaurants, specializing in chicken entrees. Meal periods are lunch and dinner, with an $8-$20 per person check average. Locations have a full bar and seating for about 200. Catering is available. Locations are franchised and trade in AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, WI, and WV. We featured this concept on 11/11/08 (5% growth), 3/17/09 (5% growth), 7/21/09 (5% growth), and 11/10/09 (6% 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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