RestaurantChains.net Alerts Newsletter
October 2, 2006
Data reflects change and activity during the most recent four-month period from:
6/01/06 to 10/01/06
A free weekly newsletter covering public and
private restaurant chains featuring under-reported unique
facts relating to growth. Pertinent information is
gathered, verified and analyzed in-house using
proprietary methods created in our research and
library departments.
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In this issue
* Growing and growing
* Emerging concept
* Unit increased
* Units decreased
* Restaurant Incubator Index
* Error in last newsletter
* Did you know?
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Growing and growing
ZAXBY'S of Athens, GA (founded in 1990) has
increased by 13 units. The company has continued to
grow quickly since their last period increase of 34
units. There are now a total of 353 units open in
AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC and TN. The stores
are fast casual chicken concepts with a check
average of $3-8 and seating for about 90 persons.
Units are 50-60% franchised.
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Emerging concept
Nashville, TN-based BLUE COAST BURRITO
(founded in 2000), has increased 2 units during the
last 4 months, from 6 to 8 locations (33% growth).
This fast casual, Mexican restaurant seats about 80
people (2000 sq ft) and is open for lunch and
dinner. Check averages are about $3-$8 per person.
Catering is also available. The company also
operates a similar, fast casual operation called
Baja Burrito (1 location). All locations are in TN
and AR.
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Unit increased
Chef/owner Jean-Robert De Cavel has added a new
concept to his restaurant group, JEAN-ROBERT’S
GREENUP CAFÉ which opened in Covington, KY in
June. This bakery/café restaurant is open for breakfast,
lunch and dinner, serving mostly casual French fare.
The café seats 60 people. Mr. De Cavel also
operates 3 upscale eateries (Pigall’s on Fourth
Street, Pho Paris, and Jean Ro Bistro), all in
Cincinnati, OH.
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Units decreased
SCHELDE ENTERPRISES, a Grand Rapids, MI-based
multi-concept operator (founded in 1968) has sold
off 8 of its concepts, as well as closing 1 unit
from its Rio Grand Steakhouse concept, downsizing
from 17 to 8 locations now owned (53%). Concepts
sold were: Bastone, Bowers Harbor Inn, Café Habana,
Cinq, Grizzly Peak Brewing Co, North Peak Brewing
Co, Bowery, and Vinoteca. The company currently
operates Bonfire (1), Freshwater Lodge (1), Grand
Rapids Brewing (1), Rio Grand Steakhouse (3),
Schelde’s Grill & Spirits (1), and Travino (1). The
concepts are mostly upscale, seating around 125
people (3000 sq ft). Locations are open for lunch
and dinner and offer both banquet and catering
services. All locations are in MI.
Cary, NC-based BEAR ROCK CAFÉ (founded in
1997) has closed 4 units during the period, from 38
to 34 (11% downsizing) and are no longer operating
in WI. During the prior reporting period (from Jan
’06 to May ’06), the company had closed one location
and pulled out of the state of AL. This shows a
growth reversal trend, from a company that had
previously been growing steadily. This restaurant
chain had been featured previously in our 3/28/06
newsletter issue as having experienced a 6 unit (18%
growth) from Aug ’05 to Dec ’05. The restaurants
are fast casual and open for breakfast, lunch and
dinner, with a check average of $3-$8 per person.
Locations seat approximately 100 people (3000 sq
ft). Catering and delivery are offered. More than
70% of locations are franchised. Current locations
are in the states of AZ, CO, FL, GA, MA, MN, NC, NJ,
OH, PA, TN, and TX.
SKIPPER'S of Edmonds, WA (founded in 1962)
has closed 2 units during the period in addition to
3 units in the last 2 periods (7% annual decrease).
Skipper’s is a fast casual seafood concept that
averages $4-$10 per person with seating for about
80. There are now 65 stores with locations in AK,
ID, MT, OR, UT and WA. All locations are company
owned.
CARROLS CORP of Syracuse, NY (founded in
1960) has decreased 5 units for their Burger King concept.
Carrols Corp is a franchisee of Burger King and the
owner of Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana concepts.
The concept totals are currently: Burger King (329),
Pollo Tropical (73) and Taco Cabana (141). The
stores are located in CT, FL, GA, IN, KY, MA, ME,
MI, NC, NM, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, TX and VT. There
are also worldwide locations in Ecuador and Puerto
Rico
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Error in last newsletter
In last weeks newsletter, we stated that New World
Bagel was based in Hamilton, NJ when in fact they
are headquartered in Golden, CO.
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Did you know?
* We call, interview, research and re-verify
every company and contact 3 times per year?
* There are more than 100-150 alerts each week that DO
NOT get into this newsletter?
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Copyright 2006. 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.
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RestaurantChains.net must be listed as the source.
Media inquiries are welcome. Please call 914-591-4297.
Keith Gellman
Restaurantchains.net
1 Bridge St
Irvington on Hudson, NY 10533
1-914-591-4297
http://restaurantchains.blogspot.com
