CHICAGO -- Restaurant chains and other foodservice providers frequently look towards smaller chains to identify emerging trends with solid growth potential. Market research firm Technomic recently issued its 2008 Top 100 Emerging Chain Concept Report, which features 100 up-and-coming operators that exhibit a strong recipe for success.
The report segregates the top 100 chains into major operational segments (full-and limited-service, as well as fast casual, fine dining, casual dining and midscale), but also examines them within 16 unique concept clusters, including Mexican, pizza, sandwich, [image-nocss] beverage, specialty and more. It also includes "Beyond Restaurant" segments of the foodservice industry.
The rising stars in the limited-service segment all compete with well-established and well-defined competitors, but have successfully carved out niches through strong points of differentiation, including more emphasis on "green" elements such as organic foods, renewable energy and recycling programs and other areas of corporate social responsibility.
Casual dining chains dominate the emerging full-service segment and, as a group, experienced 13% growth rates in 2007. But three other full-service concepts performed even stronger, representing the fine dining and midscale categories, with growth rates of 33% and 32%, respectively. But several new players pose unique challenges to restaurants; for example, one such noteworthy "Beyond Restaurant" operator, NeXstore Marketplace (pictured), successfully combines a gas station, convenience store and fresh food market with a thriving catering program and gourmet meals to go.
"We firmly believe that these 100 up-and-coming chains are driving many of the industry's latest trends and represent the leading emerging concepts," said Darren Tristano, executive vice president of Technomic Information Services. "Larger chains wishing to maintain their competitive edge would be wise to take a closer look at this group."
Chicago-based Technomic Information Services tracks the foodservice industry, providing industry intelligence, forecasts, data and training support to manufacturers, operators, distributors and others allied to the field.
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