TOP TEN FASTEST GROWING RESTAURANT CONCEPTS, January 2010

(Began period with 50 units or less)

Research Period 9/21/09 – 12/20/09

Rank

Name

Cuisine

Service Type

Start Count

Growth Count

End Count

Growth %

Trading States

Research Ending

Weblinks

1

CHUY'S COMIDA DELUXE

Mexican

Family/Casual

12

4

16

33%

TN, TX

12/3/2009

www.chuys.com

2

ZOE'S KITCHEN

Greek

Fast Casual

22

6

28

27%

AL, AZ, FL, GA, LA, NC, SC, TN, TX

10/28/2009

www.zoeskitchen.com

3

LARRY'S PIZZA

Pizza

Buffet

12

3

15

25%

AR

10/21/2009

www.larryspizzaofarkansas.com

4

SAM & LOUIE'S NY PIZZA

Pizza

Family/Casual

12

3

15

25%

NE

11/11/2009

www.samandlouiesnyp.com

5

GENGHIS GRILL

Asian

Fast Casual

33

8

41

24%

AR, AZ, CO, IA, IL, KS, MN, MO, NM, NV, OK, TN, TX

10/13/2009

www.genghisgrill.com

6

THE UPPER CRUST

Pizza

Fast Casual

13

3

6

23%

MA

10/5/2009

www.theuppercrustpizzeria.com

7

CRUMBS BAKESHOP

Bakery/Café

Quick Serve

20

4

24

20%

CA, CT, NJ, NY,

11/17/2009

www.crumbsbakeshop.com

8

TILTED KILT PUB & EATERY

American

Family/Casual

22

4

26

18%

AL, AZ, CA, FL, GA, IA, IL, LA, NC, TX, WI

10/28/2009

www.tiltedkilt.com

9

NEWK'S EXPRESS CAFE

American

Fast Casual

23

4

27

17%

AL, FL, LA, MS, NC, TN, TX

12/15/2009

www.newkscafe.com

10

DAZBOG COFFEE COMPANY

Coffee

Quick Serve

24

3

27

13%

AZ, CA, CO, MD,

11/20/2009

www.dazbog.com

Unit ranges (starting, growth and ending) reflect growth information that occurred four months prior to the "research ending" listed (each company has their own research date range). Overall research for this quarter concluded on December 20, 2009.

RestaurantChains.net presents a quarterly list of Top Ten Fastest Growing Concepts (began period with less than 50 units) displaying quarter-to-quarter recent growth captured during our re-verification process.

Information is derived and calculated from the continual process of interviewing and verifying more than 7300 restaurant chain concepts.

Parameters considered:

· A restaurant chain or group with at least 3 units.
· A restaurant chain or group who began the period with fewer than 50 units.
· A restaurant chain or group who grew by at least 3 units.
· A restaurant chain or group that is a unique brand/concept, not a franchisee.
· A concept with growth within the U.S. or Canada.
· A restaurant chain or group with reliable information available regarding unit counts and activity.

This quarter’s Top Ten list reveals five repeat concept leaders (Concepts that have been on previous Top Ten lists).

Repeat concept leaders:

1)  CRUMBS BAKESHOP

2)  DAZBOG COFFEE COMPANY

3)  GENGHIS GRILL

4)  NEWK'S EXPRESS CAFE

5)  TILTED KILT PUB & EATERY

Readers should know that unit counts and percentages are not annualized and relate to recent growth only of net growth, in units. Companies on the list are chosen without opinion and are a result of academic research. To receive more information including contact personnel and complete company profiles please contact us.

 info@restaurantchains.net or call 1-914-591-4297.