RestaurantChains.net Alerts Newsletter
August 23, 2006
Data reflects change and activity during the most recent four-month period from: 04/21/06 to 08/21 /06
in this issue
* Restaurant Incubator Index
* Emerging concepts
* Continually emerging concepts/expanded trading areas
* RE-emerging concept
* Merger Acquisition
* Free Demonstrations
* RestaurantChains.net recent press release
Restaurant Incubator Index
A new benchmark for the industry called the
Restaurant Incubator Index has been formed. The
index reflects...... see more
Emerging concept
TACONE FLAVOR GRILL , a fast casual
wrap/sandwich chain, has increased five units, from
21 to 26 (24% growth), and has expanded into three
new states (GA, RI, and SC). Founded in 1996, the
restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, with per
person check averages of $3-8 per person. All
locations are in mall food courts and locations
offer catering. 90% of stores are franchised. Other trading areas are
AZ, CA, CO, NV, and WA.
Charlotte, NC based SALSARITA’S FRESH
CANTINA (founded 2000), is continuing to
expand rapidly. They have added 15 units (38% growth) this period in
addition to an 8 unit increase during the prior
period. Current store count is 54 locations. All
locations are franchised and fast casual. The concept
averages 80 seats and they serve beer
and wine. They just opened their first location in PA.
Stores are currently located in AL, GA, FL, KY, MD,
MI, MN, MO, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, TX, and
VA.
Lorton, VA-based FIVE GUYS BURGERS AND
FRIES has increased 17 units (21%) during the
period, growing from 87 to 105 locations and 25% in the prior period (12/22/05-
4/22/06). They have also entered the state of GA.
Founded in 1986, this quick serve burger chain has a
check average of about $2-6 per person.
Restaurants average around 1500 square feet. More than 80% of locations are
franchised. They have new locations in GA and they
trade in CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, MD, NC, NJ, NY, PA, SC,
and VA.
Continually emerging concepts/expanded trading areas
Richmond Heights, MO-based PANERA BREAD
COMPANY(Nasdaq:PNRA), has opened 62 units during
the period from 877 to 939, and expanded into the
states of WA and SD. Founded in 1981, this fast
casual bakery/café chain is open for breakfast, lunch
and dinner, with check averages of $4-9 per person.The
restaurants also operate in the states of AL, AR, CA,
CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME,
MI, MN, MO, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI,
SC, TN, TX, VA, WI, and WV. 64% of locations are
franchised.
GOLDEN CHICK based in Dallas, TX (founded
1978) has expanded by five units during the period.
This company is 75% franchised and has two
different quick serve concepts, Golden Chick with 74
units and Jalapeno Tree with 11 units. Both
concepts average around 60 seats and have a check
average of between $2-$6 per person. All locations
are currently in OK and TX.
CHEEBURGER CHEEBURGER of Fort Myers, FL
(founded in 1986) opened three new locations this
period while expanding into SC and AZ. All locations
are franchised and stores usually seat 70 with a
check average of $3-$8. There are currently 59
locations in AL, AZ, CO, FL, LA, MD, MI, NC, NE, NJ,
NY, OH, PA, SC, TN and VA.
RE-emerging concept
San Antonio, TX-based SOUPER SALAD, has
grown 19% over the last four months, from 74 to 88
locations. We had previously mentioned this
company back in our 3/14/06 newsletter issue as
having closed 12 units in the period between
November ’05 and March ’06. In 2005, the company
filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and closed about 50
units that year. The chain has reorganized and is
back to growth. All 14 new locations are in
CO, a state the company had previously pulled out
of. Other locations are in AZ, GA, KS, NC, NM, NV,
OK, SC, TN, TX, and UT. Founded in 1978, service is
buffet, with check averages from $4-10 per person.
The restaurants seat approximately 200 people.
Merger Acquisition
RIO WEST MANAGMENT SERVICES of Addison,
TX has taken over all operating units of Culinary
Kaleidoscope. Rio West now operates, seven
Denny's, six Podhnus BBQ, and five Trail Dust Steak
House locations in CO and TX. Also closed are two
Old San Francisco Steakhouse locations.
Units decreased
GASTRONOMY INC, a Salt Lake City, UT-based
multi-concept restaurant operator, has closed its
Baci Trattoria concept and sold off Café Pierpont to
Latitude Restaurant Group, also located in UT. The
company currently operates six other upscale
concepts: Market Street Broiler (1), Market Street
Grill (2), Market Street Oyster Bar (2), and New
Yorker (1), all located in UT.
CINDY HUTSON CONCEPTS, of Coral Gables, FL
has closed their Las Vegas location of Ortanique.
The company closed two locations in the prior period
as well. There are two units now open: Copra of
Baltimore, MD and Ortanique of Coral Gables, FL.
The restaurants are upscale and seat around 150.
Check averages are between $10 and $30 plus per person.
WILLY'S MEXICANA GRILL of Atlanta, GA has
closed two locations. This fast casual Mexican food
chain founded in 1995 average 60 seats and serve
beer and wine. Most locations serve lunch and
dinner but some serve breakfast as well. Per person
check average is below $8. There are now 15 company
owned locations open in the Atlanta, GA area.
Free Demonstrations
We offer complete one on one demonstrations
of the RestaurantChains.net directory for companies
and individuals who want to explore our data further.
You will be able to see where we get our information
and how we perform our process. Please contact me
directly: 914-591-4297 or email keith@restaurantchains.net
to set up a personal
demo.
RestaurantChains.net recent press release
RestaurantChains.net announes new changes to it's
database and functionality. see more
Keith Gellman
Restaurantchains.net
1 Bridge St
Irvington on Hudson, NY 10533
1-914-591-4297
http://restaurantchains.blogspot.com
