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).

Burlington, ON-based TORTOISE RESTAURANT GROUP (founded 1992) has increased by 1 unit for the Turtle Jack\’s concept, from 17 to 18 (6% concept growth).  The company also operates the 2-unit Fraticelli\’s Italian Grill.  Overall company increase was from 19 to 20 (5% growth).  The restaurants are family/casual, serving Italian and American foods.  Per person check average is $8-$20+, with full bar and seating for about 300.  Catering is available.  All the restaurants are in ON.  About 50% of the locations are franchised.

Atlanta, GA-based THREE DOLLAR CAFE (founded 1983) has increased by 1 unit, from 8 to 9 (13% growth).  This family/casual restaurant concept is open for lunch and dinner, with a $6-$15+ per person check average.  The restaurants have full bar and average seating for about 250.  Catering service is available.  The restaurants are individually owned and operated and are all located in GA.

Cincinnati, OH-based BUFFALO WINGS & RINGS (founded 1984) has increased by 8 units, from 45 to 53 (18% growth).  The restaurants are family/casual, serving American cuisine.  Per person check average is $6-$15+, with full bar and seating for about 200.  Catering and online ordering are available.  All locations are franchised and trade in CA, FL, IL, IN, KY, MI, NC, ND, NE, OH, SD and TX.

Emerging and Re-emerging Concepts

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

New York, NY-based LUKE\’S LOBSTER (founded 2009) has increased by 6 units, from 12 to 18 (50% growth) and entered into IL, MA, NJ and NV.  This family/casual seafood concept is open for lunch and dinner, with a $10-$30+ per person check average.  Beer and wine are served.  Average unit seats about 20 and offers catering.  Delivery is available at select locations. Trading areas are DC, IL, MA, MD, NJ, NV, NY and PA.

Sarasota, FL-based LINKSTERS MANAGEMENT (founded 2001) has increased by 1 unit for the Linksters Tap Room concept, from 9 to 10 (11% concept growth) and by 3 units for the Paddy Wagon Irish Pub concept, from 7 to 10 (43% concept growth).  The company also operates Central Tavern (1), Legends Sports Pub (1) and The Old Venice Pub (1).  Overall company increase was from 19 to 23 (21% growth).  The restaurants are family/casual, serving American and Irish cuisine.  Per person check average is $8-$20+, with full bar and average seating for about 150.  All the restaurants are in FL.

Repeat Growers

Concepts previously written about in the past 18 months.
 

Rockville, MD-based CALIFORNIA TORTILLA (founded 1995) has increased by 2 units, from 41 to 43 (5% growth) and entered into FL.  This fast casual Mexican concept is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a $6-$15+ per person price range. Units seat about 60 and serve beer and wine.  Catering is available.  Locations are franchised and trade in DC, DE, FL, MD, NJ, PA, VA and WV.  We last featured this concept on 11/11/14 (8% growth).

Lehi, UT-based COSTA VIDA FRESH MEXICAN GRILL (founded 2003) has increased by 5 units, from 71 to 76 (7% growth) and entered into IL.  The restaurants are fast casual, open for lunch and dinner, with seating for around 50.  Catering and online ordering options are available.  All locations are franchised and trade in AB, AZ, CA, CO, GA, ID, IL, MO, NM, NV, TX, UT, WA and WY.  We last wrote about this concept on 11/4/14 (20% growth).