REI links, ownership references and reuse terms reviewed October 19, 2026. Historical figures reflect the original research periods.
Preserved from original RestaurantChains.net research files, republished in May 2026, and corrected against the original May 2011 table in September 2026.
This historical RestaurantChains.net report ranks 20 restaurant concepts that began the research period with 50–200 units and recorded recent net unit growth. The figures are historical, are not annualized, and reflect the research dates shown in the table.
Research period: January 21, 2011 to April 20, 2011.
Eligibility range: Began the period with 50–200 units.
Browse the series: February 2011 Top 20 · Fastest Growing Restaurant Chains Archive · September 2011 Top 20
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 | End Count | Growth % | Research Ended | Trading States |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DICKEY’S BARBECUE PITREI | BBQ | Fast Casual | 139 | 27 | 166 | 19% | 4/2/2011 | AR, AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NM, NV, NY, OK, PA, SC, SD, TX, UT, VA, WY |
| 2 | PINKBERRYREICurrent parent: Kahala BrandsUltimate parent: MTY Food Group | Ice Cream/Yogurt | Quick Serve | 106 | 20 | 126 | 19% | 4/26/2011 | BC, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, HI, LA, MA, NC, NY, RI, TN, TX, VA |
| 3 | WHICH WICHREI | Sandwich | Quick Serve | 116 | 15 | 131 | 13% | 3/7/2011 | AR, AZ, CA, CO, GA, IA, IL, IN, LA, MO, MS, NC, NM, NV, NY, OK, SC, TN, TX, WA |
| 4 | MELLOW MUSHROOMREI | Pizza | Fast Casual | 112 | 12 | 124 | 11% | 4/25/2011 | AL, AR, AZ, CO, FL, GA, IN, KY, LA, MS, NC, OH, SC, TN, TX, VA |
| 5 | MONKEY JOE’S (RAVING BRANDS) | Pizza | Quick Serve | 55 | 6 | 61 | 11% | 4/11/2011 | FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, MO, MS, NC, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WI |
| 6 | ZPIZZA | Pizza | Quick Serve | 95 | 9 | 104 | 9% | 4/25/2011 | AZ, CA, CO, DC, GA, HI, MD, MN, MT, NC, NV, NY, OH, SC, TX, VA, WA |
| 7 | NRGIZE LIFESTYLE CAFEREICurrent parent: Kahala BrandsUltimate parent: MTY Food Group | Juice/Smoothie | Quick Serve | 109 | 6 | 115 | 6% | 3/8/2011 | AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, MN, NJ, NY, OR, PA, TX, VA, WA, WI |
| 8 | SHANE’S RIB SHACK (PETRUS BRANDS) | BBQ | Fast Casual | 65 | 3 | 68 | 5% | 4/6/2011 | AL, AR, AZ, CA, FL, GA, HI, IA, KY, LA, MA, MD, NC, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA |
| 9 | NESTLE TOLLHOUSE CAFE BY CHIP | Bakery/Café | Take-Out | 89 | 4 | 93 | 4% | 4/13/2011 | AL, AZ, CA, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OK, PA, SC, TX, VA |
| 10 | GAMBINO’S PIZZA | Pizza | Fast Casual | 53 | 2 | 55 | 4% | 4/25/2011 | KS, MO, NE, OK, TX |
| 11 | PIZZA PATRON | Pizza | Take-Out | 99 | 3 | 102 | 3% | 4/26/2011 | AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, NV, TX |
| 12 | ST-HUBERT RÔTISSERIESREIUltimate parent: Recipe Unlimited | Chicken | Family/Casual | 100 | 3 | 103 | 3% | 3/2/2011 | NB, ON, PQ |
| 13 | CHEZ CORAREI | American | Family/Casual | 119 | 3 | 122 | 3% | 4/11/2011 | AB, BC, MB, NB, NL, NS, ON, PE, PQ |
| 14 | EARLS | American | Family/Casual | 63 | 2 | 65 | 3% | 4/20/2011 | AB, AZ, BC, CO, MB, ON, SK, WA, YT |
| 15 | PIZZA NOVAREI | Pizza | Quick Serve | 122 | 3 | 125 | 2% | 4/10/2011 | ON |
| 16 | PEI WEI ASIAN DINERREI | Chinese | Family/Casual | 168 | 3 | 171 | 2% | 4/5/2011 | AR, AZ, CA, CO, FL, IL, KS, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NJ, NM, NV, OH, OK, PA, TN, TX, UT, VA |
| 17 | GLORIA JEAN’S COFFEE BEAN | Coffee | Take-Out | 85 | 2 | 87 | 2% | 4/6/2011 | AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IL, IN, MA, ME, MI, MO, NC, ND, NH, NJ, NV, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, WI, WV |
| 18 | GOLD STAR CHILI | American | Quick Serve | 89 | 2 | 91 | 2% | 4/3/2011 | IN, KY, OH |
| 19 | BJ’S RESTAURANTSREI | American | Family/Casual | 102 | 2 | 104 | 2% | 4/19/2011 | AZ, CA, CO, FL, HI, IN, KY, LA, NV, OH, OK, OR, TX, WA |
| 20 | ORIGINAL PANCAKE HOUSEREI | American | Family/Casual | 115 | 2 | 117 | 2% | 4/20/2011 | AL, AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, HI, IL, IN, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, SC, SD, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI |
Key Findings
- Dickey’s Barbecue Pit recorded the largest unit increase, adding 27 locations, followed by Pinkberry with 20 and Which Wich with 15.
- The 20 ranked concepts added 129 units in total during their respective research periods.
- Six pizza concepts made the list: Mellow Mushroom, Monkey Joe’s, zpizza, Gambino’s Pizza, Pizza Patron, and Pizza Nova.
- Dickey’s Barbecue Pit and Pinkberry each posted the highest reported growth rate at 19%.
Research Notes
Unit counts, growth figures, service types, cuisines, dates, and market abbreviations are preserved from the original RestaurantChains.net table. The overall research period ended April 20, 2011; individual company verification dates shown as April 25 or April 26 are retained exactly as published in the original source.
Current Restaurant Enterprise Index links are provided only where a direct company profile or a verified current parent-company profile is available. A current link does not imply that the same ownership relationship existed in 2011.
Ranking Parameters
- The restaurant chain or group had at least 50 units at the beginning of the period.
- The restaurant chain or group began the period with no more than 200 units.
- The concept grew by at least two units.
- The listing represents a distinct restaurant brand or concept rather than a franchisee.
- Growth occurred within the United States or Canada.
- Reliable information was available regarding unit counts and activity.
For definitions of unit counts, growth, ownership, and other terms used in these historical rankings, see the Restaurant Data Dictionary.
Related RestaurantChains.net Reports
- February 2011 Top 20 Fastest Growing Restaurant Concepts
- September 2011 Top 20 Fastest Growing Restaurant Concepts
- Fastest Growing Restaurant Chains Archive
- Restaurant Data Dictionary
Looking for Current Restaurant Company Data?
This report is a historical snapshot. For current profiles of larger restaurant companies, franchisors, multi-concept operators, and ownership groups, visit the Restaurant Enterprise Index.
