The January '08 top ten list of growing concepts will be out next week. See the October '07 list here.

Each calendar quarter we publish a list of the top ten growing concepts (by percentage) who start the preceding calendar quarter with less than 50 units. This list is a result of academic research performed in-house by our market research department.

 See the whole story. Continued...

November's results are now posted. December '07 will be posted next week.

The index added 4 points during the month of November moving forward from 1031.39 to 1035.40.  The November gain was the seventh straight growth month.  The slow but steady growth pattern continued for another period.  Continue and see results.

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

Rancho Cordova, CA-based PIZZA GUYS (founded 1986) has opened 4 units, from 55 to 59 (7% growth).  These are take-out/delivery pizzerias, open for lunch and dinner.  Between 80 and 90% of the units are franchised.  Locations are in CA and NV.

Longwood, FL-based FOOD SYSTEMS UNLIMITED INC (founded 1991) has opened 1 unit for their Asian Chao concept, from 35 to 36 and 3 units for the Chao Cajun concept, from 10 to 13.  The company also operates Maki of Japan (20 units).  Overall company increase was from 65 to 69 units (6% growth).  The restaurants are fast casual and located in mall and airport food courts.  Per person check average is $4-$10.  Meal periods are lunch and dinner.  Between 20 and 30% of units are franchised.  Trading areas are FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MN, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, TX, and WA.

OLGA'S KITCHEN based in Troy, MI (founded 1970) has increased by 3 units, from 30 to 33 (10% growth).  These are fast casual sandwich units with seating for about 60.  The check average is around $3-$8 per person.  Banquets are offered.  Locations are company owned and are in IL, MI and OH.

DUDUM SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT of Walnut Creek, CA has increased by 2 units, from 5 to 7 (40% growth) as a result of an acquisition of a concept called Cantina, which has 2 units.  Additional activity was the increase of 1 unit for the Joe DiMaggio's concept, from 1 to 2 while expanding into TX.  During the same period, the company has sold a single unit concept called "Center Court."   Current concepts are:  Bing Crosby's Restaurant (2), Joe DiMaggios (2), Mc Covey's (1) and Cantina (2).  Units are generally upscale with full bar and seating for about 175.  The per person check average range is $15-$30+.  Locations are in CA and TX.

Multiple New location openings:

RED ROBIN GOURMET BURGERS headquartered in Greenwood Village, CO (founded 1969 - NSDQ: RRGB) has 8 new locations opening in Carmel-IN, Portland-OR, Wareham-MA, Huntsville-AL, Renton-WA, Nashville-TN, Ashburn-VA and Poughkeepsie-NY.  There are currently 373 total locations in AB, AK, AL, AR, AZ, BC, CA, CT, CO, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, NE, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA and WI.

RED BRICK PIZZA based in Palmdale, CA (founded 1998) has 5 new locations to open in Tampa-FL, Milwaukie-OR, Peoria-AZ, Bakersfield-CA and Encino-CA.  There are currently 72 locations in AZ, CA, CO, FL, NM, NV, OR and TX.

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

Boise, ID-based CHICAGO CONNECTION PIZZA (founded 1982) has opened 2 units, from 9 to 11 (22% growth).  The restaurants are family/casual style, serving Italian cuisine and pizza, with a $4-$10 per person check average.  Meal periods are lunch and dinner, with seating for about 60.  Beer and wine is served.  Delivery, catering, and banquet facilities are available.  All locations are in ID.

Birmingham, AL-based ZOE'S KITCHEN (founded 1995) has increased by 3 units, from 17 to 20 (18% growth).  These are fast casual Greek restaurants, open for lunch and dinner, with a $4-$10 per person check average.  Seating is for about 60.  Catering is available.  About 40% of units are franchised.  Trading areas are AL, AZ, FL, LA, TN, and TX.

MARY'S PIZZA SHACK of Sonoma, CA (founded 1959) has increased by 2 units, from 15 to 17  (13% growth).  These are family/casual restaurants with full bar and seating for about 150.  The per person check average is $6-$15+.  Catering and banquet services are offered.  All locations are in CA.

Chicken Prices

Strong chicken exports are boosting the overall chicken index value which is good news for chicken breast buyers. Continued...

Are you receiving your rebates? Introducing the Dynamic Chains Cooperative.

When I ask operators if they receive rebates, the response "yes, we get rebates from our distributor" is very common.  Do they actually receive these rebates?

After investigation, I've found these operators were receiving a fraction of the available rebate income.  As a result, we are introducing the Dynamic Chains Cooperative.   Continued...