REI links, ownership references and reuse terms reviewed October 19, 2026. Historical figures reflect the original research periods.
Republished May 2026 from the original RestaurantChains.net archives.
This January 2009 report highlights ten fast-growing restaurant concepts identified through the RestaurantChains.net restaurant chain research and verification process.
See also: Top Ten Fastest Growing Restaurant Concepts, January 2008, February 2009 Top 20 Fastest Growing Restaurant Concepts and Top Ten Fastest Growing Restaurant Concepts — October 2010.
(Began period with 50 units or less)
Research Period: 9/21/08 – 12/20/08
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CEREALITY | Limited | Quick Serve | 4 | 4 | 8 | 100% | AZ, CA, CO, FL, MN, OH | 11/5/2008 |
| 2 | RED MANGOREICurrent parent: Legacy Brands International | Ice Cream | Quick Serve | 25 | 14 | 39 | 56% | CA, HI, IL, NJ, NV, NY, OR, UT, WA | 9/30/2008 |
| 3 | PACIUGO ITALIAN GELATO | Ice Cream | Quick Serve | 26 | 13 | 39 | 50% | AZ, CA, CO, FL, IL, KS, MO, MT, TX, WI | 10/1/2008 |
| 4 | CRUMBS BAKESHOP | Bakery café | Quick Serve | 8 | 4 | 12 | 50% | CA, NY | 11/10/2008 |
| 5 | D’LITES EMPORIUM | Ice Cream | Take-Out | 10 | 4 | 14 | 40% | FL | 10/2/2008 |
| 6 | VIRGINIA BBQ CO | BBQ | Quick Serve | 11 | 4 | 15 | 36% | DE, MD, MI, VA | 10/1/2008 |
| 7 | CEFIORE | Ice Cream | Quick Serve | 24 | 8 | 32 | 33% | CA, HI, KY, NV, WA | 9/30/2008 |
| 8 | DINNER A’FARE | American | Meal Assembly | 30 | 9 | 39 | 30% | AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, IN, NC, NJ, PA, TN, UT, VA | 10/2/2008 |
| 9 | ORGANIC TO GO | American | Fast Casual | 26 | 7 | 33 | 27% | CA, WA | 10/21/2008 |
| 10 | WINGS PIZZA N THINGS | Chicken | Fast Casual | 24 | 5 | 29 | 21% | AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, MI, TX, VA | 10/6/2008 |
Research Notes
Unit ranges (starting, growth and ending) reflect growth information that occurred four months prior to the “research ending” listed (each company has their own research date range). Overall research for this quarter concluded on December 20, 2008.
RestaurantChains.net presents a quarterly list of Top Ten Fastest Growing Concepts (began period with less than 50 units) displaying quarter-to-quarter recent growth captured during our re-verification process.
Information is derived and calculated 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 4 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.
This quarter’s Top Ten list reveals three repeat concept leaders (all have been on previous Top Ten lists).
Repeat concept leaders:
- ORGANIC TO GO
- RED MANGO
- WINGS PIZZA N THINGS
Readers should know that unit counts and percentages are not annualized and relate to recent growth only of net growth, in units. Companies on the list are chosen without opinion and are a result of academic research. To receive more information including contact personnel and complete company profiles please contact us.
Related Links
- Restaurant Growth Archive
- Restaurantdata.com restaurant chain intelligence and industry growth data
- RestaurantPipeline.com for new restaurant openings
