Top 40 fast-casual chains
By Restaurant Business Staff on May 21, 2016Sales at the major fast-casual restaurants are growing at nearly three times the rate for the industry as a whole, but that intake is not evenly distributed. Which fast-casual brands are at the front of that increasingly crowded pack?
Restaurant Business borrowed data from its research sister, Technomic, to rank the 40 largest fast-casual chains by systemwide sales. Here, in ascending order, are the sector’s largest chains by sales volumes.
40. Newk's Eatery
2015 U.S. Sales: $183.2 million
2015 U.S. Units: 95
Newk’s Eatery was acquired in 2014 by Sentinel Capital Partners, so 2015 meant executive changes, including a new CFO and CMO, and brand tweaks—it debuted a new store prototype in Lafayette, La., with upscale elements like brickwork and pendant lights, a digital menu board and multiple dining areas with different seating including bar-height tables. Systemwide sales in 2015 were 29 percent higher than the prior year, a faster pace than even its healthy 27 percent five-year CAGR.
39. Donatos Pizza
2015 U.S. Sales: $183.6 million
2015 U.S. Units: 153
Late in 2015, the family-owned pizza chain debuted a new look and menu at a restaurant in its hometown of Columbus, Ohio. New elements include a black brick bar, a stage for musical performances, local beers on tap and real silverware and plates. From the semi-open kitchen to the marketing message, Donatos is focusing on its use of fresh ingredients and its relationship with the community.
38. Taco Bueno
2015 U.S. Sales: $185.0 million
2015 U.S. Units: 175
37. Café Rio Mexican Grill
2015 U.S. Sales: $196.2 million
2015 U.S. Units: 89
36. Shake Shack
2015 U.S. Sales: $199.4 million
2015 U.S. Units: 49
35. Baja Fresh Mexican Grill
2015 U.S. Sales: $206.7 million
2015 U.S. Units: 166
34. Bruegger's Bagels
2015 U.S. Sales: $209.0 million
2015 U.S. Units: 280
33. Which Wich Superior Sandwiches
2015 U.S. Sales: $214.4 million
2015 U.S. Units: 375
32. Rubio's
2015 U.S. Sales: $222.0 million
2015 U.S. Units: 192
31. Fazoli's
2015 U.S. Sales: $228.6 million
2015 U.S. Units: 214
30. Zoës Kitchen
2015 U.S. Sales: $230.8 million
2015 U.S. Units: 166
29. The Habit Burger Grill
2015 U.S. Sales: $251.4 million
2015 U.S. Units: 142
28. Fuddruckers
2015 U.S. Sales: $253.0 million
2015 U.S. Units: 173
27. Portillo's
2015 U.S. Sales: $275.3 million
2015 U.S. Units: 41
26. Smashburger
2015 U.S. Sales: $306.5 million
2015 U.S. Units: 328
25. Schlotzsky’s
2015 U.S. Sales: $319.6 million
2015 U.S. Units: 350
24. Taco Cabana
2015 U.S. Sales: $331.4 million
2015 U.S. Units: 166
23. Pei Wei Asian Diner
2015 U.S. Sales: $350.3 million
2015 U.S. Units: 213
22. Au Bon Pain
2015 U.S. Sales: $363.3 million
2015 U.S. Units: 207
21. Pollo Tropical
2015 U.S. Sales: $368.2 million
2015 U.S. Units: 160
20. Potbelly Sandwich Shop
2015 U.S. Sales: $379.8 million
2015 U.S. Units: 396
19. Corner Bakery Cafe
2015 U.S. Sales: $381.0 million
2015 U.S. Units: 197
18. Einstein Bros. Bagels
2015 U.S. Sales: $511.9 million
2015 U.S. Units: 742
17. Noodles & Company
2015 U.S. Sales: $517.9 million
2015 U.S. Units: 491
16. Dickey’s Barbecue Pit
2015 U.S. Sales: $519.6 million
2015 U.S. Units: 530
15. McAlister’s Deli
2015 U.S. Sales: $547.7 million
2015 U.S. Units: 361
14. Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers
2015 U.S. Sales: $567.3 million
2015 U.S. Units: 249
13. Boston Market
2015 U.S. Sales: $610.0 million
2015 U.S. Units: 452
12. Moe’s Southwest Grill
2015 U.S. Sales: $638.1 million
2015 U.S. Units: 637
11. Firehouse Subs
2015 U.S. Sales: $648.5 million
2015 U.S. Units: 943
10. Jason’s Deli
2015 U.S. Sales: $654.3 million
2015 U.S. Units: 262
9. Jersey Mike’s Subs
2015 U.S. Sales: $675.0 million
2015 U.S. Units: 1,046
8. Qdoba Mexican Eats
2015 U.S. Sales: $744.9 million
2015 U.S. Units: 670
7. Wingstop
2015 U.S. Sales: $768.6 million
2015 U.S. Units: 786
6. Five Guys Burgers and Fries
2015 U.S. Sales: $1.3 billion
2015 U.S. Units: 1,215
5. Zaxby’s
2015 U.S. Sales: $1.5 billion
2015 U.S. Units: 748
4. Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches
2015 U.S. Sales: $2.0 billion
2015 U.S. Units: 2,450
3. Panda Express
2015 U.S. Sales: $2.6 billion
2015 U.S. Units: 1,790
2. Chipotle Mexican Grill
2015 U.S. Sales: $4.4 billion
2015 U.S. Units: 1,987
1. Panera Bread/Saint Louis Bread Co.
2015 U.S. Sales: $4.8 billion
2015 U.S. Units: 1,955
Methodology
The Top 40 Fast-Casual Chains ranking is a measure of the largest concepts by U.S. systemwide sales, based on results from the 2015 calendar year. Relevant information is accrued using a combination of public company financial filings, direct operator surveying, franchise disclosure documents and propriety valuation algorithms.
You can get the complete Top 250 Fast-Casual Chain Restaurant Report here.
Technomic Inc. believes that its sources of information are reliable but does not assume any liability for the accuracy or comprehensiveness of the information published.