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

July's release of the top 10 growing concepts list is here. See results

Restaurant Incubator Index updated

July results are posted. August will be posted next week. The index reflects change and growth of chains who have less than 200 stores and at least...
See results

Growing and emerging concepts

JIM 'N NICK'S BAR-B-Q headquartered in Birmingham, AL (founded 1985) has increased by 2 units, from 20 to 22 (10% growth). These are family/casual BBQ restaurants with full bar and seating for about 100. The per person check average is around $6-$10. Locations are in AL, CO, FL, GA, SC and TN. We last wrote about this concept in our 1/23/07 newsletter when they had 25% growth. The company was also ranked #8 on our April '07 Top Ten Fast Growers List.

Campbell, CA-based BLENDZ (founded 2003) has opened 2 units, from 5 to 7 (40% growth) and entered into AZ. All other locations are in CA. The restaurants are fast casual sandwich and salad cafes, with seating for about 30. Units are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Per person check average is $3-$8. Catering is available. More than 70% of locations are franchised.

Gaithersburg, MD-based GLORY DAYS GRILL (founded 1996) has opened 2 units over the period, from 19 to 21 (11% growth) and entered into WV. Other locations are in MD and VA. This company was previously highlighted in our 4/17/07 newsletter (12% growth). The restaurants are family/casual, serving American cuisine, and open for lunch and dinner. Per person check average is about $8-$20. Seating is for around 225. Catering and banquet services are available. Only 2 units (10%) of locations are franchised.

FIREFLY'S BODACIOUS BBQ based in Marlborough, MA has increased by 1 unit, from 2 to 3 (50% growth). These are family/casual restaurants with full bar. Seating is for around 200 and the per person check average is about $6-$15. Catering and banquets are offered. All locations are in MA.

RED ROCK CHILI CO based in Santa Ana, CA (founded 2002) has increased by 2 units, from 4 to 6 (50% growth) and entered into NV and TX. This is a fast casual concept, located mostly in malls. Beer and wine is served and catering is available at some freestanding units. Locations are 67% franchised and are in CA, NV and TX.

KING CRAB TAVERN & SEAFOOD GRILL headquartered in Chicago, IL (founded 1983) has added a new concept called Al's Place. The company increased from 4 to 5 units (20% growth). Locations are generally upscale steak and seafood houses with full bar and seating for around 200. The per person check average is around $15-$30+. Units are company owned and located in IL.

CHEESEBURGER IN PARADISE (founded 2002) of OSI Restaurant Partners, based in Tampa, FL has increased by 5 units, from 38 to 43 (13% growth). Additionally, the concept has expanded into FL. Units are family/casual with full bar and seating for around 250. The check average per person is about $10-$12+. Locations are in DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, MD, MI, NC, NE, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, VA and WI. We last reported on this concept in our 9/26/06 newsletter when they had a 16% growth.

Burnsville, MN-based LET'S DISH! (founded 2003) has increased by 4 units, from 29 to 33 (14% growth) and entered into the state of SC. We last featured this concept in our 1/23/07 newsletter, with a 53% growth rate and expansion into 4 states. This is a meal preparation company, specializing in healthy, family-size meals prepared in-store, either by customer or ordered online and prepared by staff. Large event catering is also available. Units are currently in the states of KS, MA, MD, MN, MO, NC, NJ, NY, OH, SC, VA, and WA, with a Middletown, DE location to open this fall. About 70% of locations are franchised.

Laguna Hills, CA-based INDIGO JOE'S SPORTS PUB & RESTAURANT (founded 2002) has opened 2 units, from 14 to 16 (14% growth) and entered into the states of NC and SC, while also closing 1 unit, pulling out of the state of IA. The restaurants are family/casual sports bar & grills, open for lunch and dinner, with an $8-$20 per person check average. Units have seating for about 225. Locations are in the states of AL, AZ, CA, CO, GA, MO, NC, NE, SC, and TX, with a Louisville, KY location to open this fall. All locations are franchised.

Huntington Beach, CA-based BJ'S RESTAURANTS (NASDAQ: BJRI; founded 1978) has opened 8 units, from 55 to 63 (15% growth) and entered into 3 states (FL, OH, and OK). The restaurants are family/casual, specializing in pizza and American cuisine. Units have seating for about 300, with a full bar. Per person check average is $8-$20. Meal periods are lunch and dinner. Special event facilities are available. Trading areas are AZ, CA, CO, FL, HI, NV, OH, OK, OR, and TX.

Why We Eat Out - The Science of Dining.

One of the most unfortunate things that happen when you open a business is that you lose touch with what it would be like to be your customer. As the owner or manager, it is nearly impossible to get the same experience that a paying customer would have in your establishment. Your service will be just a little (or a lot) better. So what can you do to get a great perspective on what's really going on in your four walls? Continued...

Decreased units

Garden City, ID-based MOXIE JAVA (founded 1988) has closed 3 units, from 74 to 71 (4% downsizing) and is no longer operating in the state of LA. The restaurants are quick serve coffee shops, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner hours. Seating is for about 40. Trading areas are AL, CA, CO, ID, MN, NC, ND, NV, OR, SC, VA, and WY, with locations planned in HI, TX and FL.

Wichita, KS-based TACO TICO (founded 1962) has closed 9 units, from 67 to 58 (13% downsizing) and is no longer operating in NE. These are quick serve Mexican restaurants, with seating for about 60 and a $3-$8 per person check average. Units are open for lunch and dinner. Trading areas are AR, IA, KS, KY, LA, OK, and TN.

Boston, MA-based LEGAL SEAFOODS (founded 1950) has closed 2 units, from 33 to 31 (6% downsizing), while also opening 1 new unit and entering into the state of PA. These upscale seafood restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, with full bar and seating for about 150. Per person check average is around $15-$30+. Catering and private party facilities are available. Restaurants are in the states of DC, FL, MA, MD, NJ, NY, PA, RI, and VA.

Cary, NC-based BEAR ROCK CAFÉ (founded 1997) has closed 4 units, from 36 to 32 (11% downsizing), pulling out of the states of MN and TN, while also opening 1 unit (adding the state of VA). Other locations are in AZ, CO, FL, GA, MA, NC, NJ, OH, PA, and TX. We last featured this concept in our 10/2/06 newsletter (11% downsizing). These are fast casual American cafes, serving beer/wine, with seating for about 100. Meal periods are breakfast, lunch and dinner. Per person check average is around $4-$10. Catering is available. About 70% of units are franchised.

Pizza hut franchisee, PIZZA HUT OF FORT WAYNE INC headquartered in Fort Wayne, IN (founded 1972) has decreased by 2 units, from 16 to 14 (13% downsizing). All locations are in IN.

SENOR SAM'S MEXICAN GRILL based in OR has decreased by 2 units, from 6 to 4 (33% downsizing). Locations are family/casual with seating for about 100. Per person check average is $4-$10. Beer and wine are served and catering is available. Units are company owned and are in OR.

Has the Ethanol Demand Bubble Burst?

The large inverted price spread between wholesale ethanol and gasoline since the beginning of the summer suggests an oversupply of ethanol.Continued....

Turning the tables on customer wait times.

Every Saturday night, the buzz on the restaurant floor is at its fervent, red hot peak. As diners enjoy the last few sips of their cappucinos Continued...

Wine Cellar Investments

For the non-accounting readers, I'm going to start out with a simple definition. Inventory turnover equals cost of goods sold divided by average inventory. Our industry is used to turning the food inventory every two weeks (sometimes quicker). With a food inventory turnover of 26, restaurant managers are often unprepared for the much lower wine turnover rate. Continued...

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Contact us to be a content sponsor or advertiser of this newsletter sent to more than 24,000 foodservice professionals. Continued...

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.

Directory information

As a reader you are viewing a snapshot of the companies, contacts and trend watching performed by us. To know more including pricing options, Continued...