Restaurant Trends - Growing And Emerging Concepts - Change and Activity Jan 10, 2012

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

Massachusetts-based EAT DRINK LAUGH RESTAURANT GROUP(founded 1937) has increased by 1 unit for The Paramount, from 1 to 2 (100% concept growth).  The company also operates Blarney Stone (1), The 21st Amendment (1), and West On Centre (1).  Overall company increase was from 4 to 5 (25% growth).  The restaurants are family/casual, serving American cuisine.  Per person check average is $10-$30, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Locations have full bar and average seating for about 80.  Catering and banquet services are available.  The restaurants are all located in MA.

Wilmington, NC-based PORT CITY JAVA (founded 1995) has increased by 3 units, from 29 to 32 (10% growth) and entered into Costa Rica.  These are quick serve coffee shops, open for breakfast and lunch hours.  Per person price range is $3-$8.  Units have online ordering service.  Locations are franchised and trade in DC, MD, NC, Jordan, and Costa Rica.

OPHELIA'S RESTAURANT based in Independence, MO (founded 1899) has increased by 3 units, from 5 to 8 (60% growth) adding new concepts called Main Street Coffee House, Yogurtini and Updog.  Other company concepts are Café Verona (1), Clinton's Soda Fountain (1), Courthouse Exchange Rest (1), Ophelia's Restaurant (1) and Square Pizza (1).  These are family casual restaurants with full bar and seating for around 200.  Meal periods are lunch and dinner.  Catering and banquets are offered.  All locations are in MO.

Emerging and Re-emerging Concepts

Concepts with 20 units or less who grew by at least 2 units.

Atlanta, GA-based YOFORIA FROZEN YOGURT (founded 2007) has increased by 15 units, from 10 to 25 (150% growth).  This quick serve yogurt concept is open for lunch and dinner hours, with a $2-$6 per person price range.  Seating is for around 40 and catering service is available.  Stores are franchised and trade in GA and NC.

Mokena, IL-based AL'S ITALIAN BEEF (founded 1938) has increased by 3 units, from 15 to 18 (20% growth) and entered into GA.  These quick serve sandwich shops are open for lunch and dinner, with a $2-$6 per person price range.  Seating is for about 50.  Locations offer catering, delivery and online ordering options.  All units are franchised and trade in AZ, GA, and IL.

Huntington Beach, CA-based LAZY DOG CAFÉ (founded 2003) has increased by 2 units, from 7 to 9 (29% growth).  These family/casual restaurants serve American cuisine and are open for lunch and dinner.  Per person check average is $6-$15+.  Units seat about 300 and offer catering services.  All locations are in CA.

SARABETH'S KITCHEN headquartered in Bronx, NY (founded 1981) has increased by 2 units, from 8 to 10 (25% growth).  These are upscale restaurants with full bar and seating for around 150.  Meal periods are breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Per person check average is around $10-$30.  Catering, banquets and patio seating are available.  There is a second company concept called Doc’s Oyster Bar (1).  Overall company growth is from 9 to 11 (22% company growth).  All locations are in FL and NY.

SMILING MOOSE DELI based in Boulder, CO (founded 2003) has increased by 5 units, from 14 to 19 (36% growth).  These are family/casual delis with seating for around 30.  Meal periods are breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Per person check average is around $6-$15+.  Catering and franchising are offered.  Locations are in CO, IN, MT, TX and WI.

WEATHERVANE SEAFOOD of Kittery, ME (founded 1969) has increased by 2 units, from 14 to 16 (14% growth).  These are upscale seafood restaurants with full bar and seating for around 250.  Meal periods are lunch and dinner.  Banquets are offered.  Per person check average is around $15-$30+.  There is a second company concept called Original Shack (1).  Overall company increase is from 15 to 17 (13% company growth).  Locations are in MA, ME and NH.

Repeat Growers

Concepts previously written about in the past 18 months.

Fresno, CA-based EUREKA BURGER has increased by 1 unit, from 3 to 4 (33% growth).  These family/casual burger restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, with an $8-$20 per person check average.  The restaurants seat around 80 and have full bar service.  All locations are in CA.  We featured this concept on 5/3/11 (50% growth).

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA-based JOHN'S INCREDIBLE PIZZA CO (founded 1995) has increased by 1 unit, from 10 to 11 (10% growth) and entered into OR.  All other units are in CA.  This is a pizza buffet concept, open for lunch and dinner, with a $6-$12 per person check average.  The restaurants specialize in large group functions and childrens’ parties.  We last featured this concept on 9/8/10 (11% growth).

BLT RESTAURANTS of New York, NY (founded 2004) has increased by 1 unit for Casa Nonna, from 1 to 2 (100% concept growth) and added a new concept called Go Burger (2 units).  Other concepts are BLT Burger (3), BLT Bar and Grill (1), BLT Fish/ Fish Shack (1), BLT Market (1), BLT Prime (1), BLT Steak (11) and The Florentine (1).  Overall company growth is from 20 to 23 (15% company growth).  These tend to be upscale restaurants with full bar and seating for around 150.  Meal periods are lunch and dinner.  Banquets are offered.  Locations are in AZ, CA, DC, FL, GA, HI, IL, NC, NV and NY.  We last reported on this concept on 12/21/10 (18% 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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