The 10 Fastest-Growing Emerging Restaurant Chains This Year
By Alaina Lancaster on Jun. 19, 2018CHICAGO -- Each year, CSP’s sister magazine Restaurant Business showcases the fastest-growing emerging restaurant chains in the country. The exclusive ranking, the Future 50, is based on systemwide sales and growth from RB's market research partner, Technomic, and showcases the restaurant brands poised to be major players in the industry.
So, who are the top 10 brands in the Future 50? Click though for a sneak peek at the competitors on convenience store’s back, and stay tuned for the full ranking, coming in July.
Photo courtesy of Restaurant Business magazine
10. Duck Donuts
Segment: Quick service
Menu type: Doughnuts
Headquarters: Mechanicsburg, Pa.
In 2007, Duck Donuts hatched out of a dearth of doughnut shops in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, specifically Duck, N.C. The chain touts the title of fastest-growing doughnut shop in the U.S. on its website. Within a decade, the store count grew to nearly 200 locations. Today, the chain is based in Mechanicsburg, Pa., and accepts franchise partners. The menu features doughnuts made with fresh ingredients and real fruit, such as its orange icing doughnut. In addition to the specialty doughnuts on offer, guests can purchase made-to-order doughnuts, coffee, sandwiches and sundaes.
Photo courtesy of Duck Donuts
9. Ahipoki Bowl
Segment: Fast casual
Menu type: Hawaiian poke
Headquarters: Hollywood, Calif.
Poke, or raw fish salad, concepts seem to be spawning at record rates. Ahipoki Bowl is staking its claim on the West Coast, with nearly 35 locations in California, Arizona and Washington. The chain boasts freshly sourced seafood at affordable prices. Guests of the Hawaiian fusion restaurant can choose from 37 different ingredients to customize their poke bowls.
Photo courtesy of Ahipoki Bowl
8. Cava
Segment: Fast casual
Menu type: Mediterranean
Headquarters: Rockville, Md.
Fueled by millions in outside financing, Cava, formerly known as Cava Grill, has quickly blazed through many iterations. At the forefront of operational technology, Cava has redesigned its format using data from motion sensors that detect traffic jams. The Mediterranean fast casual operates about 70 locations in 10 states.
Photo courtesy of Cava
7. Babalu Tapas & Tacos
Segment: Casual dining
Menu type: Latin
Headquarters: Roswell, Ga.
Serving up shareable Spanish-style tapas and Mexican street food with a Southern twist, Babalu Tapas & Tacos are known for opening in up-and-coming neighborhoods, often converting abandoned schools or other spaces into restaurants. After opening its first location in Jackson, Miss., in 2010, the chain has added eight more Southern units. The concept aims to provide superior customer service by investing in team members, according to the company’s website. Every menu item is made fresh daily, and guacamole is prepared tableside.
Photo courtesy of Babalu Tapas & Tacos
6. Bibibop Asian Grill
Segment: Fast casual
Menu type: Asian rice bowls
Headquarters: Columbus, Ohio
Bibibop Asian Grill, founded in Columbus, Ohio, in 2013, offers approachable South Korean flavors with customizable rice bowls, salads and burritos. The chain has taken its mantra of “Well B-Ing” to about 30 locations in five states. The philosophy, which promotes a happy, healthy lifestyle in every aspect of life, is the basis of all the operation’s decisions, according to its website.
Photo courtesy of Bibibop Asian Grill
5. Honeygrow
Segment: Fast casual
Menu type: Better-for-you bowls
Headquarters: Philadelphia
The first Honeygrow location opened in Philadelphia in 2012. More than $70 million in funding later, the chain has opened 32 units in nine states. The concept offers stir-fry, salad and a honey bar, where guests can create a cup of fruit, honey or syrup and assorted toppings. Proteins, sauces and dressings are made from scratch daily and sourced locally and seasonally when possible. Earlier this year, the company launched a sister fast casual called Minigrow in New York City, Chicago and Boston. The offshoot has a scaled down footprint and menu, with an assembly line ordering style.
Photo courtesy of Honeygrow
4. Maple Street Biscuit Co.
Segment: Fast casual
Menu type: Biscuit sandwiches
Headquarters: Jackson, Fla.
Maple Street Biscuit Co. slings modernized Southern comfort foods, such as its signature biscuit sandwiches. The fast-casual refers to its nearly 30 locations as a community of stores, dubbing store managers as “community leaders.” The chain’s growth has been led by its guiding principles, including gracious service, pristine stores and a sustainable business.
Photo courtesy of Maple Street Biscuit Co.
3. Wahlburgers
Segment: Fast casual
Menu type: Burgers
Headquarters: Hingham, Mass.
Wahlburgers is a burger chain with some star power. Actor Mark Whalberg has gathered a funky bunch of family members, namely his brothers Donnie and Paul Wahlberg, to spread the concept to 17 states. Wahlburgers recently updated its menu to showcase chef-inspired dishes. The chain boasts fresh ingredients and a roughly $10 price point for its burgers.
Photo courtesy of Wahlburgers
2. The Halal Guys
Segment: Fast casual
Menu type: Middle Eastern
Headquarters: Astoria, N.Y.
The Halal Guys started as a lone New York City food cart. After quickly changing the menu to a simple selection of hearty Middle Eastern food, the brand has taken off, adding dozens of units in the past couple years and posting sales growth of a whopping 740%. The brand keeps things simple, serving up large portions of meat, rice, falafel, hummus and a craveable “white sauce” that fit halal dietary standards.
Photo courtesy of The Halal Guys.
1. CoreLife Eatery
Segment: Fast casual
Menu type: Better-for-you bowls
Headquarters: Syracuse, N.Y.
Look out c-stores, CoreLife Eatery is looking to disrupt the U.S. culture of convenience. This bowl-centric fast casual prides itself on scratch-made dishes, making its bone and vegetable broth every night in each eatery. The concept aims to spread the gospel of clean, healthy eating, ditching GMOs, trans fat and artificial colors, additives and sweeteners. The chain has about 40 locations across 10 states, with 17 more units on the way in the next year.
Photo courtesy of CoreLife Eatery