From the Restaurant chain monitor:

In our 6 month research confirmation of all 232,000 restaurant chain locations in the U.S., 338 closed less than 1.5% of total locations.

For specific numbers and further information, please contact us.

Growing Concepts of Multi Unit Operators

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

New York, NY-based B.R. GUEST RESTAURANTS (founded 1987) has increased by 1 unit for the Bill\’s Bar & Burger concept, from 4 to 5 (25% concept growth) and entered into PA.  Other company concepts are Atlantic Grill (2), Blue Fin (1), Blue Water Grill (1), Dos Caminos (6), Hilo (1), Isabella\’s (1), Ocean Grill (1), Ruby Foo\’s (1), Sammy D\’s (1), Strip House (4) and Troy Liquor Bar (1). Overall company increase was from 24 to 25 (4% growth).  The restaurants are upscale concepts, serving multiple cuisine types.  Meal periods are lunch and dinner, with a $15-$50+ per person check average.  The restaurants have full bar service and average seating for about 250.  Catering and banquet services are available.  Trading areas are FL, NJ, NV, NY and PA.

Marietta, GA-based NEIGHBORHOOD DINING GROUP (founded 1991) has increased by 1 unit, from 5 to 6 (20% growth) with the addition of a new concept called Minero.  Other concepts are Chicago\’s Steak & Seafood (1), Husk Charleston (1), Husk Nashville (1), Mccrady\’s Restaurant (1) and No 5 Faber (1).  The restaurants are upscale steakhouse concepts, open for lunch and dinner, with a $15-$50+ per person check average.  Locations have full bar service and seating for around 200.  Banquet rooms are available.  Trading areas are GA, SC and TN.

Vancouver, BC-based BLENZ THE CANADIAN COFFEE COMPANY LTD has increased by 5 units, from 55 to 60 (9% growth).  This quick serve coffee shop is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner hours, with a $4-$12+ per person price range.  Limited seating is avaiable.  Locations are franchised and trade in AB and BC.

Overland Park, KS-based SMALLCAKES A CUPCAKERY (founded 2009) has increased by 30 units, from 56 to 86 (54% growth) and entered into AZ, MN, NC, NE and SC.  This quick serve cupcake cafe is open for lunch and dinner hours, with a $4-$12+ per person price range.  Units seat about 20.  Locations are franchised and trade in AL, AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IA, IL, KS, MN, MO, NC, NE, NM, OK, SC, SD, TX and VA.

Emerging and Re-emerging Concepts

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

Illinois-based ONCE UPON A BAGEL (founded 1982) has increased by 2 units, from 5 to 7 (40% company growth) with the addition of 2 new concepts called Once Upon a Cafe and Lucky Fish Deli.  Other company concepts are Mean Weiner (1), Once Upon A Bagel (2), Once Upon A Deli (1) and Once Upon A Grill (1).  These fast casual bakery/cafes are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a $4-$12+ per person price range.  Units seat about 80 and offer catering, delivery and private party services.  All the restaurants are in IL.

Repeat Growers

Concepts previously written about in the past 18 months.
 

Chicago, IL-based BILLY GOAT TAVERN (founded 1934) has increased by 1 unit, from 8 to 9 (13% growth).  The restaurants are family/casual, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Per person check average is $6-$15+, with full bar service and seating for about 200.  Trading areas are DC and IL.  We last featured this concept on 6/10/14 (13% growth).

Spokane, WA-based ZIP\’S DRIVE IN (founded 1953) has increased by 1 unit, from 37 to 38 (3% growth).  This is a quick serve burger concept, open for lunch and dinner, with a $4-$12+ per person check average.  Average unit seats about 50.  Drive-thru service is available.  Trading areas are ID and WA.  We last wrote about this concept on 5/27/14 (3% growth).

Irvine, CA-based YOGURTLAND (founded 2006) has increased by 1 unit, from 298 to 299 (1% growth).  These quick serve frozen yogurt shops are open for lunch and dinner hours, with a $4-$12+ per person price range.  Limited seating is available.  Catering options are offered.  All locations are franchised and trade in AK, AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, HI, IL, LA, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OK, PA, TX, UT, WA and Australia.  We last wrote about this company on 9/16/14 (40% growth).