REI links, ownership references and reuse terms reviewed October 19, 2026. Historical figures reflect the original research periods.
Originally released as part of RestaurantChains.net research and restored from the archives in May 2026.
This edition tracks restaurant concepts that achieved noteworthy expansion during the reporting period.
See also: February 2011 Top 20 Fastest Growing Restaurant Concepts and July 2011 Top Ten Fastest Growing Restaurant Concepts
(Began period with 50 units or less)
Research Period: 12/21/10 – 3/20/11
REI identifies a current company, parent-company or documented acquirer profile in the Restaurant Enterprise Index. Separately named parents have their own links. Ownership and acquisition notes are distinct from the historical report figures.
| Rank | Name | Cuisine | Service Type | Start Count | Growth Count | End Count | Growth % | Trading States | Research Ending | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | YOGURT MOUNTAIN | Ice Cream/Yogurt | Quick Serve | 5 | 14 | 19 | 280% | AL, AR, FL, GA, IN, NC, ST, TN | 3/1/2011 | www.yogurtmountain.com |
| 2 | PIZZA FUSION | Pizza | Quick Serve | 16 | 4 | 20 | 25% | CA, CO, CT, FL, NJ, OH, PA, VA, | 1/27/2011 | www.pizzafusion.com |
| 3 | JAKE’S WAYBACK BURGERSREI | Burger | Quick Serve | 23 | 5 | 28 | 22% | CT, DE, FL, MA, MD, NC, NY, PA, | 2/1/2011 | www.jakeshamburgers.com |
| 4 | ZOE’S KITCHENREIAcquired by CAVA Group in 2018. | Greek | Fast Casual | 38 | 8 | 46 | 21% | AL, AZ, FL, GA, KY, LA, MD, NC, SC, TN, TX, VA | 2/15/2011 | www.zoeskitchen.com |
| 5 | CHRONIC TACOS | Mexican | Fast Casual | 28 | 6 | 34 | 21% | AZ, BC, CA, ID, NV | 2/2/2011 | www.eatchronictacos.com |
| 6 | MENCHIE’S FROZEN YOGURTREI | Ice Cream/Yogurt | Quick Serve | 49 | 10 | 59 | 20% | CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MD, NV, OH, ON, TN, TX, UT, WA | 1/10/2011 | www.menchies.com |
| 7 | PIOLA | Italian/Pizza | Family Casual | 25 | 4 | 29 | 16% | DC, FL, GA, NC, NY, TX | 2/1/2011 | www.piola.it |
| 8 | BUSH’S CHICKEN | Chicken | Quick Serve | 36 | 5 | 41 | 14% | TX | 1/24/2011 | www.bushschicken.com |
| 9 | QUAKER STEAK & LUBE | American | Family Casual | 39 | 5 | 44 | 13% | CO, FL, IA, IN, MI, NC, NY, OH, ON, PA, SC, TN, VA, WI, WV | 1/26/2011 | www.lubewings.com |
| 10 | HUHOT MONGOLIAN GRILL | Asian | Fast Casual | 33 | 4 | 37 | 12% | AR, CO, IA, IN, KS, MN, MO, MT, ND, NE, SD, TX, WA, WI | 3/16/2011 | www.huhot.com |
Research Notes
Unit ranges, including starting, growth and ending counts, reflect growth information from each company’s research date range as recorded in the original RestaurantChains.net archive.
RestaurantChains.net presents quarterly lists of Top Ten Fastest Growing Concepts based on recent growth captured during the re-verification process. Information is derived from the continual process of interviewing and verifying more than 7300 restaurant chain concepts.
Parameters Considered
- A restaurant chain or group with at least 3 units.
- A restaurant chain or group who began the period with fewer than 50 units.
- A restaurant chain or group who grew by at least 3 units.
- A restaurant chain or group that is a unique brand/concept, not a franchisee.
- A concept with growth within the U.S. or Canada.
- A restaurant chain or group with reliable information available regarding unit counts and activity.
Repeat Concept Leaders
This report includes concepts that appeared on previous RestaurantChains.net growth lists.
- JAKE’S WAYBACK BURGERS
- PIOLA
- PIZZA FUSION
- ZOE’S KITCHEN
Readers should know that unit counts and percentages are not annualized and relate to recent growth only. Companies on the list are placed without opinion and are a result of academic research.
For current restaurant chain intelligence, growth tracking, and company profiles, visit RestaurantData.com.
