February 2009 Top 20 Fastest Growing Restaurant Concepts

Republished May 2026 from the original RestaurantChains.net archives.

This February 2009 report highlights the Top 20 fastest-growing restaurant concepts that began the research period with between 50 and 100 units.

Research Period 10/21/08 – 1/20/09

1. WHICH WICH
Cuisine: Sandwich
Service Type: Quick Serve
Start Count: 54
Growth: 10
End Count: 64
Growth: 19%
Research Ended: 11/25/2008
Trading States: AZ, CO, GA, IA, MO, MS, NM, OK, SC, TN, TX, WA

2. FAMOUS FAMIGLIA
Cuisine: Pizza
Service Type: Quick Serve
Start Count: 93
Growth: 16
End Count: 109
Growth: 17%
Research Ended: 1/19/2009
Trading States: AK, AZ, DC, FL, GA, HI, IL, KY, MA, MI, MN, MO, NJ, NV, NY, OH, PA, RI, TN, TX, VA

3. NRGIZE LIFESTYLE CAFE
Cuisine: Juice/Smoothie
Service Type: Quick Serve
Start Count: 59
Growth: 9
End Count: 68
Growth: 15%
Research Ended: 11/15/2008
Trading States: AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IL, IN, NJ, NY, OR, PA, TX, WA, WI

4. MELLOW MUSHROOM
Cuisine: Pizza
Service Type: Quick Serve
Start Count: 86
Growth: 10
End Count: 96
Growth: 12%
Research Ended: 12/31/2008
Trading States: AL, AR, FL, GA, IN, KY, LA, MS, NC, OH, SC, TN, TX, VA

5. SCOOTER’S COFFEEHOUSE
Cuisine: Coffee
Service Type: Quick Serve
Start Count: 61
Growth: 7
End Count: 68
Growth: 11%
Research Ended: 1/19/2008
Trading States: AZ, CO, IA, KS, MO, NE, SD, TX

6. ZPIZZA
Cuisine: Pizza
Service Type: Quick Serve
Start Count: 77
Growth: 8
End Count: 85
Growth: 10%
Research Ended: 11/25/2008
Trading States: AZ, CA, GA, MD, MN, MT, NC, NV, OH, PA, TX, VA

7. FLEMING’S PRIME STEAKHOUSE
Cuisine: Steak & Seafood
Service Type: Upscale
Start Count: 53
Growth: 5
End Count: 58
Growth: 9%
Research Ended: 11/18/2008
Trading States: AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, NC, NE, NJ, NV, OH, OK, PA, RI, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI

8. LA TASCA SPANISH TAPAS BAR & RESTAURANT
Cuisine: Spanish
Service Type: Upscale
Start Count: 72
Growth: 6
End Count: 78
Growth: 8%
Research Ended: 11/13/2008
Trading States: DC, MD, VA

9. DICKEY’S BBQ PIT
Cuisine: BBQ
Service Type: Fast Casual
Start Count: 90
Growth: 6
End Count: 96
Growth: 7%
Research Ended: 10/24/2008
Trading States: AZ, CA, CO, GA, IA, MO, MS, NC, NM, OH, PA, TN, TX, VA

10. MOXIE’S CLASSIC GRILL
Cuisine: American
Service Type: Family/Casual
Start Count: 56
Growth: 4
End Count: 60
Growth: 7%
Research Ended: 12/15/2008
Trading States: AB, BC, MB, ON, SK

Repeat Concepts

1. BJ’s Restaurant (May ’08, Aug ’08, Oct ’08)
2. Famous Famiglia (Aug ’08, Oct ’08)
3. Dickey’s BBQ Pit (Feb ’08, May ’08, Oct ’08)
4. Pizza Patron (May ’08, Oct ’08)
5. Nrgize Lifestyle Café (Oct ’08)

Parameters Considered

  • A restaurant chain or group with at least 50 units
  • A restaurant chain or group who began the period with fewer than 100 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

Readers should know that unit counts and percentages are not annualized and relate to recent growth only. Companies on the list are chosen without opinion and are a result of academic research.

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