Four of the 10 newcomers to this year's Top 100 Independents list are Chicago steakhouses: Maple & Ash, RPM Steak, Swift & Sons and Prime & Provisions broke into RB's ranking based on their 2017 sales. In addition, Farmers Restaurant Group landed another concept on the list this year—Farmers Fishers Bakers—after adding two Founding Farmers locations last year. And Junior's new 49th Street restaurant also made its inaugural appearance, despite having only been opened for part of 2017. Read on to see the rest of the restaurants new to the ranking.
The chain’s sales slowed in August as bargain-hunting, lower-income consumers sought out deals from competitors. “I think we’re in the pizza wars right now," its CEO said.
Five locations closed earlier this year, but now Lynch is shuttering three more, including the fine-dining flagship No. 9 Park, where she first gained national prominence.
