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2016 Top 500: Fast-casual chains

By Restaurant Business Staff on Jun. 21, 2016
Panera Bread

Fast casual continues full speed ahead, with two decades of double-digit growth. With $34 billion in sales—an 11.5% increase—the segment now comprises about 12% of the Top 500. For the first time, its largest player earned a spot in the ranking’s top 10: Panera Cafe took the No. 10 slot from Applebee’s.

2016 Rank

Chain Name

2015 U.S. Sales ($000)

2015 U.S. Units

10Panera Bread/Saint Louis Bread Co.4,795,9001,955
13Chipotle Mexican Grill4,419,5901,987
27Panda Express2,550,1841,790
33Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches2,018,700*2,450*
41Zaxby's1,478,400*748
42Five Guys Burgers and Fries1,319,4911,215
54Wingstop768,622786
56Qdoba Mexican Eats744,943*670
63Jersey Mike's Subs675,0001,046
65Jason's Deli654,300*262
66Firehouse Subs648,528943
68Moe's Southwest Grill638,120637
71Boston Market610,000*452
74Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers567,269249
77McAlister's Deli547,701361
82Dickey's Barbecue Pit519,600*530
83Noodles & Company517,943491
84Einstein Bros. Bagels511,900*742
97Corner Bakery Cafe380,969197
99Pollo Tropical368,175160
102Au Bon Pain363,300207
106Pei Wei Asian Diner350,343213
112Taco Cabana331,431*166
114Schlotzsky's319,638350
119Smashburger306,517328
129Portillo's275,300*41
137Fuddruckers253,000*173
139Habit Burger Grill, The251,366*142
155Zoes Kitchen230,835166
157Fazoli's228,600214
160Rubio's221,973192
164Which Wich Superior Sandwiches214,400*375
168Bruegger's Bagels209,000*280*
170Baja Fresh Mexican Grill206,700*166
174Shake Shack199,37749
177Cafe Rio Mexican Grill196,200*89
182Taco Bueno185,000*175
183Donatos Pizza183,600153
184Newk's Eatery183,20095
187Le Pain Quotidien182,700*88
192Penn Station East Coast Subs176,700*295
194FREEBIRDS World Burrito168,700*95
197la Madeleine Country French Cafe165,400*76
215Pret a Manger147,600*64
234Cosi129,717*104
243Farmer Boys122,800*78
250Tijuana Flats120,000115

*Technomic estimate

 

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