RestaurantChains.net Alerts Newsletter
October 10, 2006
Data reflects change and activity during the most recent four-month period from:
6/07/06 to 10/07/06
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
* Restaurant Incubator Index updated
* Emerging concepts/Trading area expansion
* Units increased
* Units Decreased/Trading area withdrawal
* Still growing
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Emerging concepts/Trading area expansion
Wichita, KS-based FREDDY’S FROZEN CUSTARD, a
quick serve ice cream and burger restaurant chain,
has opened 3 locations, from 6 to 9 locations now
open (50% growth in the last four months) and has
expanded into the states of OK, IN, and AZ. The
restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, with
prices around $2-$6 per person. Average seating at
the restaurants is about 40 or 50 people (2000 sq
ft). Freddy’s parent company also operates the
Timberline Steakhouse & Grill, an upscale steakhouse
chain with 4 locations. Between 30-40% of the
company’s locations are franchised. Locations are
in the states of AZ, IN, KS, MO, OK, and TX.
Calgary, AB Canada-based JUGO JUICE (founded
in 1998) has increased by 5 units during the last
four-month period, from 59 to 64 locations. They have
also opened their first locations in the US, with 3
locations in Austin and Houston, TX. Other
locations are in the provinces of AB, BC, NB, NS,
ON, PQ, and SK. This quick serve, juice/smoothie
chain is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with
items priced at $2-$6. Locations are franchised.
More locations are planned in the US in AZ, FL, and
NV over the coming year.
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Units increased
Irving, TX-based M CROWD RESTAURANT GROUP
(founded in 1991) has opened 2 locations (1 Mi
Cocina and 1 Taco Diner), bringing the company’s
total from 21 units to 23. The restaurant group’s
primary concept is Mi Cocina, a family style Mexican
restaurant, open for lunch and dinner, with a full
bar. The family of restaurant locations includes:
Mi Cocina (15), Fort Worth Chophouse (1), Mainstream
Fish House (1), Mercury Grill (1), and Taco Diner
(5). Most restaurants seat about 200 people (5000
sq ft). Banquet and catering services are offered.
Locations are in the states of TX and MO.
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Units Decreased/Trading area withdrawal
Scottsdale, AZ-based NOTHING BUT NOODLES
(founded in 2001), has closed 7 locations during the
last four-month period, from 33 to 26 locations (21%
downsizing). As a result, they have pulled
operations out of the states of OR and NE. This
fast casual noodle chain is open for lunch and
dinner, with check averages about $6-$12 per person
(catering available). Stores seat about 100 people
(3000 sq ft) and beer and wine is served. Locations
are in the states of AL, AZ, GA, IA, IN, MI, NC, NM,
NY, OH, OK, PA, TX, WA, and WI. The chain has more
stores planned, with 2 locations coming soon to CA,
and one set to open in El Paso, TX.
KRYSTAL of Chattanooga, TN (founded in 1932)
has decreased by 16 units (3% downsizing).
Currently there are 411 units and they are 43%
franchised. The concept is quick service. They
serve burgers with seating for about 80. They are
open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with a check
average of $2-$6. Units are located in AL, AR, FL,
GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, TX and VA.
METROMEDIA RESTAURANT GROUP based in Plano,
TX has decreased by 11 units. They have closed 5
units for its Bennigan's concept, from 310 to 305
(2% concept downsizing) and also 7 units for
Ponderosa concept, from 330 to 323 (2% concept
downsizing). At the same time the company has
increased 1 unit for the Steak and Ale concept, from
62 to 63. They also have 58 Bonanza concept
locations and 2 locations called The Tavern. Overall
they are family/casual style, with American cuisine
and average seating for 175 to 250. There are now
751 total locations in: AB, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL,
GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MB, MD, ME, MI, MN,
MO, MS, MT, NB, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NS, NY, OH,
OK, ON, PA, SC, SD, SK, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI and WV.
Stores are 41-50% franchised.
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Still growing
JERSEY MIKE'S GIANT SUBS (founded in 1956)
headquartered in Manasquan, NJ has opened 13 new
units (4.2% increase) and in the process added WV as
a new trading area. There are currently 320
locations in: AL, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IN, KS, KY,
MA, MN, MO, NC, NJ, NV, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX,
VA, WA and WV. Jersey Mikes is 95% franchised. There
is seating for about 20 and a check average of
$2-$6.
STEAK N SHAKE (founded in 1934, NYSE:SNS) of
Indianapolis, IN has opened 7 new units during the
last four-month period. There are now 469 locations
and they are 11% franchised. There is seating for
about 70 and they are open for breakfast,
lunch and dinner. Locations are currently in: AL,
FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MI, MO, MS, NC, OH, PA,
SC, TN, TX and WI.
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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Keith Gellman
Restaurantchains.net
1 Bridge St
Irvington on Hudson, NY 10533
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