Growing Concepts of Multi Unit Operators…. 

Maryland-based RAMS HEAD GROUP (founded 1989) has added a new concept called Ram\’s Head Dockside (1). Other company concepts include Pier Six Pavilion (1), Rams Head Live (1), Rams Head On Stage (1), Rams Head Roadhouse (1), Rams Head Shore House (1) and Rams Head Tavern (2). Overall company increase was from 7 to 8 (14% growth). The restaurants are family/casual, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with an $8-$20+ per person check average. The restaurants have full bar service and seating for around 150. Private party rooms are available. All the restaurants are located in MD.

Los Lunas, NM-based BURRITOS ALINSTANTE (founded 1989) has increased by 1 unit, from 4 to 5 (25% growth). The restaurants are quick serve, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a $4-$12+ per person price range. Units have limited seating and offer catering and drive-thru services. All the locations are in NM.

Lake Forest, CA-based DEL TACO (founded 1964) has increased by 22 units, from 554 to 576 (4% growth) and entered into SC. This quick serve Mexican concept is open for lunch and dinner, with a $4-$12+ per person price range. Units seat about 80. About half the locations are franchised. Trading areas are AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, ID, MI, NM, NV, OK, OR, SC, TX, UT and WA.

Emerging and Re-emerging Concepts

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

Nashville, TN-based JHS HOLDINGS (founded 1987) has increased by 1 unit for the Amerigo concept, from 4 to 5 (25% concept growth), 1 unit for Sombra Mexican Grill, from 1 to 2 (100% concept growth) and by 1 unit for Char, from 1 to 2 (100% concept growth). The company also added 2 new concepts called Etc (1) and Saltine (1). Other company concepts are Anjou Restaurant (1) and Etch (1). Overall company increase was from 8 to 13 (63% growth). The restaurants are family/casual, with a $10-$30+ per person check average, serving Mexican, French, Italian and American cuisines. The restaurants have full bar and average seating for about 200. Catering and banquet services are available. Locations trade in MS and TN.

New York, NY-based BLUESTONE LANE (founded 2013) has increased by 5 units, from 14 to 19 (36% growth) and entered into CA and NJ. The restaurants are fast casual, open for breakfast and lunch, with a $6-$15+ per person price range. Beer and wine are served and seating is for about 40. Catering is available. Trading areas are CA, NJ, NY and PA.

San Diego, CA–based BRIGANTINE FAMILY RESTAURANTS (founded 1969) has increased by 2 units for their Brigantine Seafood & Oyster Bar concept, from 6 to 8 (33% concept growth) for an overall company increase from 12 to 14 (17% company growth). Their other concept is called Miguel\’s Cucina (6). These restaurants are upscale, serving seafood and Mexican cuisine. Meal periods are breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a $15–$50+ per person check average. Full bar service is available and seating is for about 200. Catering and banquet services are also available. All the locations are in CA.

Repeat Growers

Concepts previously written about in the past 18 months. 

Countryside, IL-based COOPER\’S HAWK WINERY & RESTAURANT (founded 2005) has increased by 4 units, from 24 to 28 (17% growth). This upscale wine bar concept serves American cuisine, open for lunch and dinner, with a $15-$50+ per person check average. The restaurants serve full bar and seat around 300. Catering and banquet rooms are available. Trading areas are FL, IL, IN, MD, MO, OH, VA and WI. We last wrote about this concept on 12/6/16 (26% growth).

New York, NY–based CHOP\’T CREATIVE SALAD COMPANY (founded 2001) has increased by 12 units, from 33 to 45 (36% growth) and entered into NJ. These fast casual salad restaurants are open for lunch and dinner, with a $6-$15+ per person price range. Seating is for about 20 and catering and online ordering are available. Trading areas are CT, DC, MD, NC, NJ, NY and VA. We last featured this company on 1/12/16 (22% growth).