Announcing our top 10 growing concepts list

Announcing our quarterly top 10 growing concepts list. See who is...

Restaurant Incubator Index updated

DECEMBER results are posted. The index reflects...
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Emerging concepts

DICK'S WINGS headquartered in Jacksonville, FL has increased by 4 units from 18 to 24 (33% growth). Their concept is family/casual, chicken, with about 125 seats (3000 sq ft) and a per person check average of $6-$12. Units are open for lunch and dinner, serve beer and wine and offer catering services. All locations are franchised and located in FL and GA.

Fort Smith, AR-based GENO’S PIZZA, a quick service pizza chain, has opened 2 units during the last 4 months, from 4 to 6 (50% growth). Locations have seating for about 40 and are open for lunch and dinner, with a per person check average of $3-$8. All units are in AR.

Las Vegas, NV-based N9NE GROUP (founded 2000), has increased 1 unit for their N9ne Steakhouse concept, from 2 to 3 locations and added 3 new concepts: Playboy Club (1 unit), Moon (1 unit), and Nove, an upscale Italian restaurant (2 units). This marks an overall company expansion from 6 to 11 units (83% growth). A fourth concept (Liquid Sky) will open later this year in Dallas, TX. This multi-concept restaurant group operates upscale dining and nightclub venues in Las Vegas, NV, Chicago, IL, and Dallas, TX. Units seat about 150, with a per person check average of $15-$30+. Concepts include: Ghostbar (3), Moon (1), N9ne Steakhouse (3), Nove (2), Playboy Club (1), and Rain (1).

Duncansville, PA-based MEADOWS ORIGINAL FROZEN CUSTARD (founded 1950), has increased 3 units, from 11 to 14 (27% growth). These quick service ice cream parlors are open for lunch and dinner, with a per person check average of $2-$6, and seating for about 10 to 20. Locations are in MD and PA.

DUNN BROTHERS COFFEE based in Minneapolis, MN (founded 1987) has increased by 4 units from 74 to 78 (5.4% growth) units. Locations are quick serve coffeehouses open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with seating for about 20 (1000 sq ft) and a per person check average of $2-$6. All units are franchised and located in KS, MN, MO, SD, TX and WI. There are plans to open several new locations and expand into TN.

MR JIM'S PIZZA of Addison, TX (founded 1975) has increased by 7 units, from 70 to 77 (10% growth). Stores are take-out pizza shops with a per person check average of about $4. Stores are currently located in LA, NC, TX and WY. All locations are franchised.

Trading area expansions/Unit expansions

Hapeville, GA-based JOHNNY’S NY STYLE PIZZA (founded 1977), has increased 5 units for its NY Style Pizza concept, from 46 to 51 and 3 units for its Johnny Brusco’s concept, from 6 to 9, for an overall company increase from 52 to 60 (15% growth). With this expansion, the company has entered into the states of MO and TX. Other locations are in GA, MS, and TN. Locations are quick service, with a per person check average of $4-$10. Beer and wine is served. Units average seating for about 90. Catering and delivery options are available. More than 90% of locations are franchised.

JAKE'S HAMBURGERS based in Newark, DE (founded 1991) has opened 1 new location, from 5 to 6 units (20% growth) and expanded into PA. These are quick serve burger restaurants with seating for about 60 (1500 sq ft). They are open for lunch and dinner with a check average of $2-$6. Locations are about 20% franchised and are currently in DE, MD and PA.

FAMOUS DAVE'S of Minnetonka, MN (founded 1995 – NASDAQ = DAVE) has increased by 8 units from 137 to 145 (5.8% growth) and expanded into CT. Units are family/casual BBQ with full bar service and seating for about 250. Catering is offered with a per person check average of $6-$15. Locations are 71% franchised and trade in AR, AZ, CA, CO, GA, FL, CT, IA, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MT, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OK, PA, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, and WV.

SAKURA JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE based in Ellicott City, MD has increased by 1 unit from 15 to 16 (6% growth) and expanded into NJ. These are family/casual style restaurants with seating for about 150 (3500 sq ft) and a per person check average of $10-$30. The units serve beer and wine and offer catering and banquet service. Locations are currently in MD, NJ and VA.

Irvine, CA-based CLAIM JUMPER RESTAURANT (founded 1977), has opened 3 locations, from 37 to 40 (8% growth). Restaurants are family casual, with a full bar and a per person check average of $8-$20. Seating is for about 450. Party platters and private party services are available at all locations. Restaurants are located in the states of AZ, CA, CO, IL, NV, WA, with the first OR location to open in Clackamas in February ’07.

Decreased units

Heathrow, FL-based NEW YORK BURRITO GOURMET WRAPS (founded 1996), has decreased by 13 units over the last 4 months, from 28 to 15 (46% downsizing). During the 4-month period of March 06 to July 06, the company had actually increased 7 units (33% growth). Now, they are no longer operating in the states of MN, MO, NC, NJ, and WA. Current trading areas are CO, FL, ID, MI, NE, OR, TX, and UT. The restaurants are fast casual, with a per person check average of $3-$8, and seating for about 50. All locations are franchised. The concept is operated by Ultimate Franchise Systems.

Brookline, MA-based NEW ENGLAND SOUP FACTORY (founded 1995), has closed 2 units, from 8 to 6 (25% downsizing). Restaurants are fast casual, with a per person check average of $2-$6. Locations are open for lunch and dinner, with seating for 20. Catering, delivery and online ordering options are available. 67% of units are franchised. Trading areas are in MA and NJ.

San Diego, CA-based ST TROPEZ BAKERY & BISTRO has closed 2 units during the period, from 7 to 5 (29% downsizing). Restaurants are fast casual, French cuisine, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Locations seat about 60 (1500 sq ft), and have a per person check average of $6-$12. Between 10% and 20% of locations are franchised. All locations are in CA.

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Copyright 2007. All data is a representation of in house research including the perpetual surveying of more than 7300 restaurant chain concepts. Publisher accepts no responsibility for errors or omissions. Reproduction is allowed, but RestaurantChains.net must be listed as the source. Media inquiries are welcome. Please call 914-591-4297.