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

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

Restaurant Incubator Index updated

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

East Lansing, MI-based BEANER'S GOURMET COFFEE (founded 1995) has opened 11 units, from 65 to 76 (17% growth). This company was most recently featured in our 2/6/07 newsletter, with a 6% growth. Units are quick serve coffee shops, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner hours, with a $2-$6 per person check average. Seating is for about 50. Catering is available. Locations are in the states of AL, FL, GA, IL, IN, MI, OH, SC, and WI. All units are franchised.

Dallas, TX-based GOLDEN CHICK (founded 1978) has opened 4 units for their Golden Chick concept, from 74 to 78 and 2 units for the Jalapeno Tree concept, from 11 to 13. Overall company increase was from 85 to 91 (7% company growth). This company was featured in our 8/23/06 newsletter (6% company growth). The Golden Chick restaurants are a quick serve chicken concept, open for lunch and dinner, with a $3-$8 per person check average. Seating is for about 60. Delivery is available at some locations. Jalapeno Tree restaurants are family/casual, serving Mexican cuisine, with a full bar. Seating is for about 100. Per person check average is about $8-$20. Golden Chick locations are more than 70% franchised. Trading areas are OK and TX.

Toronto, ON, Canada-based PIZZA NOVA (founded 1963) has opened 11 units, from 103 to 114 (11% growth) and entered the province of PQ. Other locations are in ON, with 2 units in the state of NJ. These are quick serve pizzerias, open for lunch and dinner. Units seat about 50, with delivery service available. More than 90% of units are franchised.

Westport, CT-based EATZA PIZZA (founded 1997) has opened 3 units, from 8 to 11 (38% growth) and entered into OH. We last mentioned this concept in our 4/10/07 newsletter (55% downsizing over that period). The restaurants are pizza buffets, open for lunch and dinner, with a $6-$12 per person check average. Seating is for about 200. Trading areas are AZ, CA, MS, NC, OH, UT, and WA, with a Muncie, IN location opening this fall. All units are franchised.

Coquitlam, BC, Canada-based SAMMY J. PEPPERS (founded 1996) has opened 2 units, from 5 to 7 (40% growth). These are family/casual American restaurants, with a full bar and seating for about 200. Per person check average is $8-$20. Meal periods are lunch and dinner. All locations are in BC. A new franchise program is currently in the works.

PIO PIO RESTAURANT of New York, NY has increased by 1 unit, from 5 to 6 (20% growth). These are upscale South American restaurants with full bar and seating for about 70. The per person check average is around $10-$30. Locations are in NY.

DINNER A'FARE headquartered in Lawrenceville, GA has increased by 2 units, from 23 to 25 (9% growth). These are meal assembly units located in CA, FL, GA, IN, MD, NC, PA and TN. There are plans to open 5 new stores in CA, GA, NC and PA.

MAD ANTHONY'S INC based in Kirkland, WA (founded 1975) has increased by 2 units, from 19 to 21 (11% growth). These are seafood restaurants with full bar and seating for about 200. Some locations are family/casual and some are upscale. The per person check average is around $10-$30+ and banquets are offered. Locations are in OR and WA.

The owners of ULYSSES based in New York, NY have opened a new concept called Gold Street. The overall company increase is from 4 to 5 units (25% growth). Current concepts are Gold Street (1), Harry's Steakhouse (1), Puck Fair (1), Swift (1) and Ulysses (1). Units are family/casual with full bar and seating for around 125. The check average is around $8-$20 per person. All are located in NYC.

IHOP franchisee, QUANTUM MANAGEMENT of Draper, UT has increased by 2 units, from 38 to 40 (5% growth). Current locations are in CA, ID, MT, ND, UT and WY.

Phenomenal Sides

A quick way to attack food cost issues in almost any operation is through a simple menu upgrade. Rather than attacking entrees, take a hard look at your sides. A few mouth watering sides prepared with less costly ingredients will boost profits every time. Continued...

Decreased units

BELLACINO'S PIZZA & GRINDERS headquartered in Portage, MI (founded 1998) has decreased by 2 units, from 94 to 92 (2% concept downsizing). These are quick serve pizza/sandwich restaurants with seating for about 30. Current concepts are Bella Creamery (10) and Bellacino's Pizza & Grinders (92). Locations are in AL, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, MI, MO, NC, OH, OK, SC, TN, WA and VA. Units are more than 90% franchised. We last reported on this concept in our 1/30/07 newsletter when they had 3% downsizing.

SNAPPY TOMATO PIZZA based in Florence, KY (founded 1978) has decreased by 5 units, from 72 to 67 (7% downsizing). These are quick serve pizza restaurants with seating for about 30. Take-out, delivery and catering are offered and some units are buffet. Locations are more than 90% franchised and are located in AL, FL, IN, KY, MD, MO, OH, and TN. We last reported on this concept in our 7/31/06 newsletter when they had 9% downsizing.

St. Joseph, MO-based BREADEAUX PIZZA (founded 1985) has closed 4 units, from 96 to 92 (4% downsizing) and is no longer trading in the state of AZ. They did open 1 location, entering into the state of MD. Restaurants are quick serve pizzerias, open for lunch and dinner. Seating is for about 50. Units are in the states of AR, FL, IA, IL, KS, MD, MI, MN, MO, NE, and WI, with 4 locations in BC, Canada.

Scottsdale, AZ-based NOTHING BUT NOODLES (founded 2001) has closed 5 units, from 26 to 21 (19% downsizing) and is no longer operating in the state of IA. This concept was in our 10/10/06 newsletter (21% downsizing, pulled out of 2 states). These fast casual noodle restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, with a $6-$12 per person check average. Beer and wine is served. Seating is for about 100. Catering is available. Locations are in the states of AL, AZ, GA, IN, NC, NM, NY, OH, PA, TX, WA, and WI. All units are franchised.

Corn Supplies Enough For Ethanol?

The 2007/08 corn harvest is now projected at 13.31 billion bushels, the largest harvest on record. 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...

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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.

Directory information

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