RestaurantChains.net Alerts Newsletter
August 29, 2006
Data reflects change and activity during the most recent four-month period from: 04/26/06 to 08/26 /06
in this issue
* Emerging Concepts/Trading areas
* Continually growing concepts/companies
* Significant Downsizing
* Restaurant Incubator Index
* Free Demonstrations
* RestaurantChains.net recent press release
Emerging Concepts/Trading areas
ANDY'S FROZEN CUSTARD of Springfield,
MO has grown from 7 to 11 units (57%) during the period. The
company is 72% franchised and is mostly a take-out ice cream/frozen
yogurt concept that began in 1987. New locations
have opened in TX and IL. Prior to the period, they
had locations in AR and MO. The companies next
expansion state is OK.
Baton Rouge, LA-based RAISING CANE’S CHICKEN
FINGERS (founded in 1996) has increased seven
units, from 37 to 44 (19% growth). The company has
also entered into the state of NE. This quick serve
chicken restaurant chain is open for lunch and
dinner, and seats between 70 and 100 people.
Between 10 and 20% of locations are franchised.
Other trading areas are CO, GA, LA, MS, NV, OH, OK,
and TX.
Margate, FL-based SALAD CREATIONS OF AMERICA
(founded in 2002) has increased two units, from
six to eight locations, a growth rate of 33% during
the period. This fast casual soup and salad chain
is open for lunch and dinner, with a check average
of about $2-6 per person. Most locations are in
malls. Future plans call for more than 20 locations
nationwide and in Mexico and Trinidad. The
restaurants currently operate in the states of FL,
OH, and have just recently entered VA.
LEO’S CONEY ISLAND (founded in 1972)
headquartered in Birmingham, MI has opened two more
units this period in addition to three openings
during the prior period. Leo’s was founded in 1972
and is a family style Greek food concept that serves
breakfast, lunch and dinner. Average check per
person is less than $8 The stores average 100 seats
and don’t serve alcohol. There are now 27
franchised units in MI.
Continually growing concepts/companies
Brooklyn Center, MN-based CARIBOU
COFFEE(Nasdaq:CBOU), founded in 1992 has increased
21 units over the last four months, growing from 395
to 416 locations. Over the prior reporting period
(November ’05 to March ’06) the company had
increased 58 units (17% growth). This quick serve
coffee café chain is open for breakfast, lunch and
dinner. Units average about 1000 sq feet.
Locations are in the states of CO, DC, GA, IA, IL,
IN, MD, MI, MN, NC, ND, NE, OH, PA, SD, VA, and WI.
Some locations are available through license
agreements.
LAKEE INC, a multi-concept operator based in
Metropolis, IL has become a franchisee of Moe’s
Southwest Grill. The company signed an agreement
with Raving Brands to open 20 new stores. So far
they have opened two Moe’s Southwest Grills. They
also operate four Nick's Family Sports Pubs, one
Buckets Neighborhood Pub & Grub, one Yesterday's
Frozen Custard, and one Willy Jak’s. Stores are
located in IL, IN, KY, MO, and TN.
GANDOLFO'S NEW YORK DELICATESSEN based in
Dacula, GA (founded in 1989) has opened six new
units this period bringing the total count to 62
units. This is a quick serve sandwich concept that
averages about 80 seats. Per person check averages
are below $8. Locations are currently in AZ, CO, FL,
GA, ID, MT, NC, NE, NV, OK, UT and WA. All
locations are franchised.
Significant Downsizing
Columbus, OH-based DAMON’S GRILL(founded in 1979) has closed 14 locations
over the period, from 99 to 85 now open (14%
downsizing) and has pulled out of the states of AZ,
CT, and NY. During the prior reporting period
(from November ’05 to March ’06) the company closed
12 units (11% downsizing) and had pulled out of IA,
OR, and TX. Although overall the company has been
closing units, they added one location in KY, making
KY a new trading state. Remaining trading areas are
CO, DE, FL, IL, IN, MD, MI, NC, NJ, OH, PA, SC, TN,
VA, WI, and WV. The barbeque grill restaurants are
open for lunch and dinner, with a check average of
$6-15 per person. Locations seat about 200 people.
Between 71 and 80% of locations are
franchised.
Scottsdale, AZ-based EATZA PIZZA (founded in
1997) has closed five locations, from 23 to 18 (22%
downsizing). This represents an interesting
downturn for the company, which over the past couple
of years had been steadily adding units. The
restaurants offer pizza buffet style service, and
seat about 200 people. More than half the locations
are franchised. Locations are in the states of AZ,
CA, MS, NC, OH, OR, and WA.
Restaurant Incubator Index
A new benchmark for the industry called the
Restaurant Incubator Index has been formed. The
index reflects...... see more
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
