RestaurantChains.net Alerts Newsletter
December 6, 2006
Data reflects change and activity during the most recent four-month period from:
08/03/06 to 12/03/06
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
* Emerging Concepts
* Decreases/Increases/Trading area changes
* Mergers/Acquisitions
* Coming in January
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Emerging Concepts
Chelsea, MI-based BEAR CLAW COFFEE has
increased 7 units, from 9 to 16 (78% growth).
Locations are quick serve coffee shops, with a per
person check average of $1-$4. Units seat about 20
(1000 sq ft). Shops are open for breakfast, lunch,
and dinner hours, with catering available. About
half of locations are franchised. All units
are in MI.
SCOOTER'S COFFEEHOUSE based in Omaha, NE
(founded 1998) opened 7 new locations during the
period, from 41-48 units (17% growth). They expect
to open their 50th location sometime later this
month. Stores are quick service coffeehouses with
seating for about 20. The stores are 98% franchised
and located in AZ, IA, KS, MO, NE, SD and TX.
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Decreases/Increases/Trading area changes
Beverly Hills, CA-based WOLFGANG PUCK
WORLDWIDE (founded 1982), has closed 4
restaurants during the period, as well as opening a
new concept called Cut, an upscale steakhouse and
lounge at the Beverly Wilshire hotel in Beverly
Hills. The concepts they closed were Cucina Presto
(2), Granita (1) and Wolfgang Puck Express (1). The
company now no longer trades in the states of NJ and
CO. Wolfgang Puck operates a total of 31 restaurant
concepts, which are mostly upscale. Average units
have seating for about 200 (5000 sq ft), and banquet
and catering services are available. The company
also operates 14 Wolfgang Puck Express stores, which
are fast casual and have a per person check average
of $6-$15+. Other concepts include 20.21 (1), Café
Evanston (1), Café Niagara (1), Café Orlando (1),
Chinois (2), Postrio (2), Puck’s (1), Spago (4),
Trattoria Del Lupo (1), Vert (1), and Wolfgang Puck
Bar & Grill (1). Restaurants are located in the
states of CA, FL, GA, HI, IL, IN, MN, NC, NV, OH,
TN, and TX, with one location in Niagara Falls,
Ontario.
Metairie, LA-based AL COPELAND INVESTMENTS
(founded 1983), has closed 6 units of its Copeland’s
Famous New Orleans concept, from 29 to 23, and has
also closed its Super Popeye’s restaurant in New
Orleans (15% downsizing). The company no longer
operates in the states of KS, TN, and OH. There was
an increase for the Copeland’s Cheesecake Bistro
concept, from 3 to 4, as well as the opening of 2
new concepts (Sweet Fire & Ice and Amor de Brazil).
The company now operates a total of 36 units: Amor
de Brazil (1), Copeland’s Cheesecake Bistro (4),
Copeland’s Famous New Orleans (23), Jukebox Cajun
Diner (1), Sweet Fire & Ice (1), and Improv Comedy
Club (6). Restaurants are family style, with full
bar service and a per person check average of
$10-$30. Units seat about 300 (8000 sq ft), and are
open for lunch and dinner. Catering is available.
25% of locations are franchised. Trading areas are
AR, CA, FL, GA, LA, MD, MS, NC, NM, PA, and
VA.
Mergers/Acquisitions
Toronto, ON-based CHAIRMAN’S BRAND (founded
1982), a multi-concept operator of quick service
restaurants in Canada, has purchased Burlington,
ON-based Afton Food Group and all of its units.
Locations are mostly take-out, with a per person
check average of $2-$6, and seating for about 10
(500 sq ft). Concepts include 241 Pizza (85),
Coffee Time (301), Mrs. Powell’s Cinnamon Buns
(11), and Robin’s Donuts (128), for a
total of 525 units. Locations are in the provinces
of AB, BC, MB, NS, ON, and SK.
CASEY'S CARRYOUT PIZZA of Ankeny, IA (founded
1968) has increased by 36 units. 33 of them came
from the conversion of 33 Handi Mart units to
Casey’s general stores. In October ’06, the company
acquired Handi Mart and converted them to Casey’s.
There are now 1456 locations in IA, IL, IN, KS, MO,
MN, NE, SD and WI. 1% of locations are
franchised.
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Coming in January
You can expect to see some changes In January.
1)A published list of the top 10 growth
chains. Taking into account a specific set of
parameters, you can expect to see a list each
calendar quarter displaying the top growers from the
preceding three month period.
2)A larger, more enhanced newsletter. We will
continue to publish a free newsletter and we will
also be publishing a paid version that will be
larger and display more company specifics. Current
clients of the RestaurantChains.net directory will
receive the enhanced version free as part of their
subscription.
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.
Reproduction is allowed, but please give credit.
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
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