April 2007 top 10 growing concepts list, below 50 units.

April's top 10 growing concepts list. July is coming soon. See results

Restaurant Incubator Index updated

MAY results are posted. The index reflects change and growth of chains who have less than 200 stores and at least 3...
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Growing and emerging concepts

The Ohio based chain, FIREHOUSE GRILL & PUB, has opened 2 units during the period, from 6 to 8 (33% growth). The restaurants are family/casual grill and bars, open for lunch and dinner, with an $8-$20 per person check average. Seating is for about 100. All locations are in OH.

Salt Lake City, UT-based GASTRONOMY INC (founded 1978) has opened 2 units, from 6 to 8 (33% company growth). They opened 1 unit for the Market Street Grill concept, from 3 to 4 and 1 unit for the Market Street Oyster Bar, from 2 to 3. The company's third concept is called New Yorker (1 unit). This company was last featured in our 8/16/06 newsletter when they sold off 2 concepts (Baci Trattoria and Café Pierpont). The restaurants are upscale steak and seafood concepts, with a $15-$30+ per person check average. Meal periods are lunch and dinner. All restaurants have a full bar, with an average seating capacity of 250. The New Yorker and 1 Market Street Grill location have banquet facilities. All restaurants are in UT.

Broomfield, CO-based NOODLES & CO (founded 1995) has opened 19 units, from 137 to 156 (14% growth) and entered into the state of OH. We last featured this chain in our 1/16/07 newsletter (5% growth). These restaurants are fast casual, serving a wide variety of noodle dishes. Meal periods are lunch and dinner, with a $6-$12 per person check average. Seating is for about 150. Locations are in the states of CA, CO, IL, IN, KS, MD, MI, MN, MO, NE, OH, OR, UT, VA, and WI. About 10% of locations are franchised.

CLUCK U CHICKEN of College Park, MD (founded 1985) has increased by 3 units, from 33 to 36 (9% growth) and expanded into PA. Units are quick serve with seating for around 70. The check average is about $3-6 per person and catering is offered. Stores are more than 90% franchised and located in DC, DE, MD, NJ, OH and PA.

ZPIZZAbased in Newport Beach, CA (founded 1986) has increased by 2 units, from 58 to 60 (3% growth). Units are quick serve with seating for about 30 and catering is offered. Locations are more than 70% franchised. They are in AZ, CA, KS, MD, NC, NV and VA. There are plans to open 3 new units in NYC during '07 and '08.

IN-N-OUT BURGERS headquartered in Irvine, CA has increased by 2 units, from 205 to 207. Units are quick serve with seating for about 75 and a per person check average of around $3-$6. Outside catering is available. Stores are located in AZ, CA and NV.

Tampa, FL-based MELTING POT (founded 1975) has opened 6 locations, from 113 to 119 (5% growth). We last covered this chain in our 1/16/07 newsletter (4% growth). This is an upscale fondue concept, open for dinner only, with a $15-$50+ per person check average. Seating is for about 200. Banquet rooms are available. Trading areas are AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NE, NJ, NM, NV, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, and WI. More than 90% of units are franchised.

Decreased units

PORT OF SUBS of Reno, NV (founded 1972) has decreased by 3 units, from 145 to 142 locations. These are quick serve sub shops open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Stores seat around 40 with a per person check average of about $3-8. Locations are more than 80% franchised and are in AZ, CA, ID, NV, UT and WA.

Weatherford, TX-based CHICKEN EXPRESS (founded 1988) has closed 9 units, from 128 to 119 (7% downsizing). We mentioned this chain in our 1/30/07 newsletter as having had a 6% growth. Units are quick serve, with a $3-$8 per person check average and open for lunch and dinner. There is seating for about 40. More than 90% of locations are franchised. Trading areas are GA, TX, and OK.

Effective Food Cost Control

It is very important to use clear, properly prepared reports to analyze food cost results. Often, the reports become the focal point due to errors and omissions. Once the report has lost credibility, a meaningful discussion of operational issues is difficult. Continued.....

Dairy prices and milk production

As you are already experiencing, milk prices are soaring to historically inflated levels which is helping offset the rise in feed costs. Continued......

Don't let a paper roll seller scam your operation.

Jeff Aufdencamp's been through the paper roll scam numerous times. Now and then a caller rings up one of his four Mama Mimi's Take 'N Bake Pizza stores and asks to speak with the person who buys paper rolls for the credit card machine, the adding machine or the POS system. It's a courtesy call, the person says. Continued....

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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. Syndication of news stories is available to web and print publishers. Media inquiries are welcome. Please call 914-591-4297.