St Paul, MN-based?CARBONE’S PIZZA?(founded 1954) has increased by 1 unit, from 33 to 34 (3% growth).? These quick serve pizzerias are open for lunch and dinner, with a $4-$10 per person price range.? Beer is served and seating is for about 50.? Online ordering, delivery and private party services are available.? Stores are franchised and trade in MN, MT, and WI.
YOGURT MOUNTAIN?based in Birmingham, AL (founded 2009) has increased by 2 units, from 42 to 44 (5% growth).? These are quick serve shops with seating for around 30.? Locations are open during the lunch and dinner hours.? Per person check average is around $2-$6.? Trading areas are AL, AR, FL, GA, IN, KS, LA, MD, MS, NC, OH, SC, TN, TX and WV.
King of Prussia, PA-based?GINO’S BURGERS & CHICKEN(founded 1957) has increased by 1 unit, from 5 to 6 (20% growth).? The restaurants are fast casual, open for lunch and dinner.? Seating is for around 50.? Locations are franchised and are located in MD and PA.
Washington, DC-based?TRYST COFFEE HOUSE & BAR?(founded 1998) has increased by 1 unit, from 3 to 4 (33% company growth), with the addition of a new concept called The Coupe.? Other concepts include Open City (1) and The Diner (1).? The concepts are family/casual, serving American cuisine.? Meal periods are breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a $4-$12+ per person check average.? Locations have full bar and seating for about 90. Catering is available.? All the restaurants are in DC.
MCGUIRE’S IRISH PUB?of Pensacola, FL (founded 1997) has increased by 1 unit, from 4 to 5 (25% growth), adding a new concept – Vinny Mcguire’s Pizza Pub.? Other company concepts are Crabs We Got Em (1), Flounder’s Chowder House (1) and Mcguire’s (2).? These tend to be upscale restaurants with full bar and seating for around 200.? Meal periods are lunch and dinner.? Per person check average is around $15-$50+.? Catering and banquets are offered.? All locations are in FL.
Orlando, FL-based?CAPITAL GRILLE?(founded 1990) has increased by 3 units, from 46 to 49 (7% growth) and entered into NJ.? Capital Grille is an upscale steakhouse concept, open for lunch and dinner.? Per person check average is $15-$50+, with full bar service and seating for about 250.? Catering and banquet services are available.? Trading areas are AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, IL, IN, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NJ, NV, NY, PA, RI, TX, VA, WA, and WI.? Capital Grille is a subsidiary of Darden Restaurants.
Emerging?and Re-emerging Concepts
Concepts with 20 units or less who grew by at least 2 units.
Pasadena, CA-based?BLAZE PIZZA?(founded 2011) has increased by 6 units, from 2 to 8 (300% growth) and entered into IL, MI, and WI.? This fast casual pizzeria concept is open for lunch and dinner, with a $6-$12 per person price range.? Stores serve beer and wine and seat about 70.? Online ordering is available.? Trading areas are CA, IL, MI, and WI.? Franchise opportunities are now available.
South Carolina-based?EGGS UP GRILL?(founded 1987) has increased by 2 units, from 5 to 7 (40% growth).? The restaurants are family/casual, specializing in breakfast foods.? Meal periods are breakfast and lunch, with a $4-$12+ per person check average.? Seating is for around 90.? All the restaurants are in SC.? About 50% of locations are franchised.
Seattle, WA-based?ZAW ARTISAN BAKE AT HOME PIZZA(founded 2010) has increased by 2 units, from 6 to 8 (33% growth).? This fast casual pizza concept is open for lunch and dinner, with a $6-$12 per person check average.? The restaurants serve beer and wine and seat about 40.? Catering, delivery, and online ordering services are available.? All units are in WA.
Repeat Growers
Concepts previously written about in the past 18 months.
TOP THAT! PIZZA?based in Tulsa, OK (a subsidiary of Beautiful Brands) has increased by 1 unit, from 9 to 10 (11% growth).? These are quick serve restaurants with seating for around 50.? Meal periods are lunch and dinner.? Per person check average is around $4-$10.? Catering is available.? Locations are in CO, OK and TX.? We featured this concept on 7/31/12 (800% growth).
Austin, TX-based?CASA GARCIA MEXICAN RESTAURANT?has increased by 1 unit, from 5 to 6 (20% growth).? The restaurants are family/casual, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.? Per person check average is $6-$15+, with full bar service.? The restaurants seat about 200.? Catering and online ordering services are available.? All locations are in TX.? We last featured this company on 12/4/12 (25% growth).
Irvine, CA-based?YARD HOUSE RESTAURANT?(founded 1996) has increased by 5 units, from 40 to 45 (13% growth) and entered into NC, OH, and WA.? The restaurants are family/casual, serving American cuisine.? Meal periods are lunch and dinner, with a $10-$30 per person check average.? All locations have full bar and average seating for about 300.? Catering, online ordering and private party services are available.? Trading areas are AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, HI, IL, KS, MA, NC, NV, NY, OH, TX, VA, and WA.? We wrote about this concept on 4/3/12 (13% growth) and on 10/23/12 (11% growth).
TOPPERS PIZZA?based in Whitewater, WI (founded 1991) has increased by 3 units, from 47 to 50 (6% growth).? These are quick serve restaurants with seating for around 50.? Meal periods are lunch and dinner.? Per person check average is around $3-$8.? Catering and delivery are offered.? Locations are more than 70% franchised and are in IL, IN, KY, MI, MN, NC, NE, OH, TX and WI.? We last wrote about this concept on 7/31/12 (21% growth).
Orlando, FL-based?OLIVE GARDEN?(founded 1982) has increased by 36 units, from 786 to 822 (5% growth) and entered into AK.? The restaurants are family/casual, open for lunch and dinner, with an $8-$20 per person check average.? Locations have full bar and seating for about 250.? Catering is available.? Trading areas are AB, AK, AL, AR, AZ, BC, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MB, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, and WY.? We featured this concept on 7/31/12 (4% growth).? Olive Garden is a subsidiary of Darden Restaurants.