Future 50 puts fastest-growing chains in spotlight
The Restaurant Business Future 50 list is out for 2019. Restaurant Business published the list of the fastest-growing chains based on 2018 year-over-year sales growth. At the top of the list was Burgerim, 110 Grill and Pokeworks. The Simple Greek and By Chloe rounded out the top five. Sales growth percentages for the top five chains on the list were all above 60 percent. These concepts represented a variety of food trends & cuisines, and also the diversity of American dining trends.
Burgerim showed impressive growth, with a near-278 percent change and $34M in total sales. The chain offers 10 proteins on the menu and builds consistency across the brand through training, notes the report. Each trade area has its own consultant. Training addresses the complexity of the menu across markets. Burgeriim ended 2018 with 80 units and now has nearly 200 stores, with another 350 slated in the development pipeline.
110 Grill is the second-fastest growing chain according to the Restaurant Business Future 50. The Massachusetts-based concept posted $49M in sales last year and grew 77.3 percent. 110 Grill is allergy-friendly, allowing for meals to be prepared without gluten and addressing common diner allergen concerns, including peanuts. The chain ended 2018 with 18 restaurants, and increased to 22 locations this year.
Pokeworks landed the number three spot on the list. As 2019 began, the chain had posted impressive growth: 76.2 percent, increasing system sales to $30M. Average unit volume increased to $1.2M. The report indicates the chain has been working to reduce transaction times. Earlier this year, Japanese investor Toridoll became a partner and took a minority stake in the brand.
Fastest-growing Future 50 chains
Here are some of the fastest-growing chains on the Restaurant Business Future 50 list, with system-wide sales and their total sales growth percentages:
- Burgerim, $34M, 277.8 pct.
- 110 Grill, $49M, 77.3 pct.
- Pokeworks, $30M, 76.2 pct.
- The Simple Greek, $35M*, 63.6 pct.
- By Chloe, $30M, 60.1 pct.
- Maple Street Biscuit Co., $44M, 58.9 pct.
- The Lost Cajun, $46M, 58.0 pct.
- Wahlburgers, $48M, 56.7 pct.
- Bibibop Asian Grill, $35M, 53.6 pct.
- Bulla Gastrobar, $25M, 52.7 pct.
- Flower Child. $32M, 51.9 pct.
- Slapfish, $25M, 49.7 pct.
- Your Pie, $41M, 49.1 pct.
- The Pizza Press, $23M, 47.4 pct.
- 85C Bakery Cafe, $38M*, 46.7 pct.
- Blue Bottle Coffee, $40M*, 46.4 pct
- Rapid Fired Pizza, $25M*, 41.5 pct.
- Willie Jewell’s Old School Bar-B-Q, $29M, 39.4 pct.
- Sugarfire Smokehouse, $20M, 38.9 pct.
- Famous Toastery, $42M, 38.5 pct.
- Duck Donuts, $32M, 38.5 pct.
- Apple Spice, $20M, 36.7 pct.
- Rusty Taco, $33M, 36.5 pct.
- Bluestone Lane, $38M*, 36.2 pct.
- Slater’s 50/50, $32M*, 34.0 pct.
Navigate to Restaurant Business for the entire list and additional statistics and analysis.
(*Sales with an asterisk were estimated by the trade journal.)
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