SPECIAL ALERT ABOUT CHIPOTLE:

According to our records, Chipotle (CMG) has filed or opened for 33 locations in the month of December. New openings volume has NOT declined at all.  New openings by state (December 2015):

8 New locations in TX, 6 in CA, 3 in FL, 2 in NJ, and singles in many other states. Please contact us for a full list of locations as they develop.

New!!!! See our 3 city comparison of restaurant survival rates from the 1st half of 2015. Chicago, New York and Los Angeles.

Growing Concepts of Multi Unit Operators

Concepts that have grown by at least 5% (if less than 50 units).

Rockville Centre, NY-based GEORGE MARTIN GROUP (founded 1989) has increased by 1 unit for the Grillfire concept, from 3 to 4 (33% concept growth).  Other company concepts include George Martin-the Original (1), Gm Burger Bar (2), Strip Steak (1) and Vivo (1).  Overall company increase was from 8 to 9 (13% growth).  The restaurants are upscale steakhouse concepts, open for lunch and dinner, with a $15-$50+ per person check average.  The restaurants have full bar and average seating for about 125.  Catering and banquet services are available.  Locations are in MD and NY.

Arlington, VA-based ELEVATION BURGER (founded 2005) has increased by 7 units, from 46 to 53 (15% growth). These fast casual burger restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, with a $4-$12+ per person price range.  Average unit seats about 70.  Online ordering is available.  Locations are franchised and trade in DC, FL, IN, MD, ME, MI, NC, NY, PA, TX, VA, Mexico and the Middle East.

Orlando, FL-based HARD ROCK CAFE (founded 1971) has increased by 21 units, from 145 to 166 (14% growth) and entered into AK, MN, Austria, the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, Greece, Kazakhstan, Laos, Montenegro, Nigeria, Panama, Paraguay and Tunisia.  The restaurants are family/casual, serving American cuisine.  Meal periods are lunch and dinner, with a $10-$30+ per person check average.  Seating is for about 400 and catering and banquet services are available. Trading areas are AK, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, HI, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NJ, NV, NY, OH, ON, PA, SC, TN, TX, WA and 65 other countries worldwide.

New York, NY-based THE HUMMUS & PITA CO (founded 2012) has increased by 1 unit, from 3 to 4 (33% growth).  This fast casual Mediterranean concept is open for lunch and dinner, with an $8-$20+ per person check average.  Beer and wine are served and seating is for around 60.  Catering, delivery and online ordering options are available.  All the restaurants are in NY.

Lake City, FL-based ELLIANO\’S COFFEE COMPANY (founded 2002) has increased by 1 unit, from 11 to 12 (9% growth).  The coffee shops are quick serve, open for breakfast and lunch hours.  Per person price range is $4-$12+, with limited seating and drive-thru service.  Locations are franchised and trade in FL and GA.

Emerging and Re-emerging Concepts

Concepts with 20 units or less who grew by at least 2 units.

Columbus, OH-based SUNNY STREET CAFE (founded 1985) has increased by 2 units, from 16 to 18 (13% growth) and entered into AB and IL.  This family/casual concept is open for breakfast and lunch, specializing in breakfast foods.  Per person price range is $4-$12+ and average seating is for about 150.  Catering is available.  Trading areas are AB, AL, IL, MO, OH and TX.  About half the restaurants are franchised.

Woodland Hills, CA-based MASTRO\’S RESTAURANTS (founded 1999) has increased by 3 units for the Mastro\’s Steakhouse concept, from 5 to 8 (60% concept growth) and by 1 unit for the Mastro\’s Ocean Club, from 3 to 4 (33% concept growth).  Other concepts are Beverly Hills Penthouse (1) and City Hall Steakhouse (1).  Overall company increase was from 10 to 14 (40% growth).  These upscale steak and seafood concepts are open for dinner, with a $15-$50+ per person check average. The restaurants have full bar service and average seating for around 300.  Banquet services are available.  Trading areas are AZ, CA, DC, IL, NV and NY.

Repeat Growers

Concepts previously written about in the past 18 months.
 

St Louis, MO-based IMO\’S PIZZA (founded 1964) has increased by 8 units, from 93 to 101 (9% growth).  These quick serve pizzerias are open for lunch and dinner, with a $4-$12+ per person price range.  Beer is served and seating is for around 30.  Catering, delivery and online ordering options are available.  Locations are franchised and trade in IL, KS and MO.  We last featured this concept on 7/8/14 (3% growth).