October's release of the top 10 growing concepts.

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...

October's results are now posted.

The index added 1.38 points during the month of October moving forward from 1030.01 to 1031.39. The October gain was the sixth straight growth month. The slow but steady growth pattern continued for another period. Major moves led by the coffee houses. Continue and see results...

Beaumont, TX-based JASON'S DELI (founded 1976) has opened 15 units, from 161 to 176 (9% growth) and entered into the state of NM.  The restaurants are fast casual, serving beer and wine, with a $6-$12 per person check average.  Locations are open for lunch and dinner.  Seating is for about 150.  Catering and delivery are available, as well as online ordering from the company’s website.  Trading areas are AL, AR, AZ, CO, FL, GA, IA, KS, KY, LA, MO, MS, NC, NE, NM, NV, OK, SC, TN, TX, UT, and VA.  About 40% of units are franchised.

Arby’s franchisee, MIRACLE RESTAURANT GROUP of Mandeville, LA (founded 2005) has increased by 10 units for their Arby’s concept from 47 to 57 and is now franchising Dunkin Donuts (2 units).  The overall company increase is 12 units, from 47 to 59 (26% growth).  Locations are in CO, IN, IL, LA, MS and TX.

Prairieville, LA-based STAN WARE ENTERPRISES, a Popeye’s Chicken & Biscuits franchisee, has opened 5 units, from 17 to 22 (29% growth).  All units are in the state of LA.

Owings Mills, MD-based LEE'S ICE CREAM (founded 1979) has opened a new unit, from 3 to 4 (33% growth) and entered into the state of FL.  All other locations are in MD.  These quick serve ice cream shops are open for lunch and dinner hours, with a $2-$6 per person check average.  Seating is for about 20.  All units are franchised.

Mississauga, ON, Canada-based SUNSET GRILL RESTAURANTS (founded 1985) has opened 2 units, from 12 to 14 (17% growth).  These are family/casual restaurants, open for breakfast and lunch, with a $4-$10 per person check average.  Beer is served.  Seating is for about 80.  About half of all stores are franchised.  All locations are in ON.

FRESCO PIZZERIA & PASTARIA based in Tucson, AZ has increased by 1 unit, from 3 to 4 (33% growth).  This is a fast casual Italian and Pizza concept with seating for around 40.  Locations are open for lunch and dinner and the per person check average is around $3-$8.  Catering is offered.  Locations are more than 90% franchised and are located in AZ.

Bridgewater, PA-based BRUSTER'S REAL ICE CREAM (founded 1989) has opened 5 units, from 261 to 266 (2% growth) and entered into NJ.  This concept was previously mentioned in our 9/6/06 newsletter (9% growth).  These are quick serve ice cream shops, open for lunch and dinner hours, with a $2-$6 per person check average.  Units seat about 10.  Catering is available.  Trading areas are AL, AR, DE, FL, GA, IN, KY, MD, MS, NC, NH, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, with a Huntington, WV location to open this year.  More than 90% of locations are franchised.

Mt Pleasant, SC-based WILD WING CAFÉ (founded 1990) has opened 3 units, from 27 to 30 (11% growth).  We previously featured this concept in our 3/6/07 & 6/19/07 newsletters (9% and 13% growth, respectively).  These are family casual restaurant and bars, specializing in chicken wings.  Seating is for about 250.  Meal periods are lunch and dinner.  Catering is available, with private party facilities at some locations.  Trading areas are FL, GA, NC, SC, TN, TX, and VA.  About 70% of locations are franchised.

San Francisco, CA-based MINA GROUP (founded 2002) has opened 2 new concepts, Bourbon Steak (1 unit) and Saltwater (1 unit).  Overall company growth is from 8 to 10 units (25% growth).  We previously covered this concept in our 12/19/06 newsletter, when they opened 2 units (67% growth during the past year).  Mina Group’s other concepts include Arcadia (1), Michael Mina (2), Nobhill (1), Seablue (2), Stonehill Tavern (1), and Stripsteak (1).  All concepts are upscale steak and seafood restaurants, with a per person check average of $50 and up.  Seating is for about 250.  Banquet rooms are available.  All restaurants are open for dinner only, except for Arcadia (B/L/D).  Trading areas are CA, MI, NJ, and NV, with a new Bourbon Steak location to open in Scottsdale, AZ in February 2008.

DUNN BROTHERS COFFEE of Minneapolis, MN (founded 1987) has increased by 7 units, from 91 to 98 (8% growth) and expanded into TN and ND.  The overall one-year growth is from 74 to 98 units (32% growth).  Locations are quick serve with seating for about 20.  The check average is around $2-$6 per person.  Locations are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Units are more than 90% franchised and are located in KS, MN, MO, ND, SD, TN, TX and WI.  We last reported on this company in our 5/20/07 newsletter when they had 17% growth.

CARIBOU COFFEE based in Brooklyn Center, MN (founded 1992 Nasdaq: CBOU) has increased by 8 units, from 456 to 473 (2% growth).  Units are quick serve with seating for about 20.  The per person check average is around $2-$6.  We last reported on this concept in our 12/19/06 newsletter when they had 3% growth.  Locations are in CO, DC, GA, KS, IA, IL, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, ND, OH, PA, SD, VA and WI.  Units are licensed rather than franchised.

Is Strong Chicken Production Growth Forthcoming?

At first glimpse, notable chicken production expansion appears to be underway, however  Continued...

Elusive Cash Flow 

It is quite common to see restaurant owners work hard all year and make nothing at all. The difference between a winning operation and a loser is cash management. Most of your cash will be spent on payrolls and paying suppliers. Landlords, mortgagees, tax authorities, insurers, banks and equipment companies consume more of your cash. Keeping track of single digit potential profits takes resolve. Continue...