Technomic's 25 fastest growing global chains
By Kelly Killian on Sep. 19, 2017Growth-minded restaurateurs know the importance of keeping an eye on the competitors entering and expanding in their markets. They also know that the competition can come from anywhere—including anywhere in the world.
For the second year in a row, Restaurant Business has partnered with Technomic to present its list of the fastest-growing multinational chains by global unit increases, using data from Technomic’s 2017 Top 150 Global Chain Restaurant Report. Well over half of these 25 growth chains are headquartered outside of the U.S. and are expanding quickly overseas—but many have their sights set on U.S. growth, as well.
It’s worth noting a few key players that dominate this list. Famous Brands is the South African franchisor behind at least three of these chains—Mugg & Bean, Debonairs Pizza and Fishaways (another of its brands, the Steers hamburger chain, was on the list last year). Max’s Group, parent of Max’s Restaurant, also counts Yellow Cab Pizza among its core brands. And Jollibee Foods Corp., based in the Philippines, may be best known for its namesake burger restaurant, but it also owns a stake in Chowking, Red Ribbon and Highlands Coffee.
1. Highlands Coffee
Headquarters: Pasig, Philippines
2016 global units: 170
Y-O-Y unit change: 68.3%
Country count: 2
Top markets: Philippines, Vietnam
2. Freshii
Headquarters: Toronto
2016 global units: 278
Y-O-Y unit change: 56.2%
Country count: 15
Top markets: USA, Canada, Colombia
3. Bonchon
Headquarters: New York City
2016 global units: 212
Y-O-Y unit change: 32.5%
Country count: 8
Top markets: South Korea, Philippines, USA
4. Wingstop
Headquarters: Dallas
2016 global units: 998
Y-O-Y unit change: 18.1%
Country count: 6
Top markets: USA, Mexico, Indonesia
5. Yellow Cab Pizza
Headquarters: Makati, Philippines
2016 global units: 150
Y-O-Y unit change: 14.5%
Country count: 6
Top markets: Philippines, China, Saudi Arabia
6. Pret A Manger
Headquarters: London
2016 global units: 444
Y-O-Y unit change: 11.3%
Country count: 6
Top markets: United Kingdom, USA, Hong Kong
7. Domino's
Headquarters: Ann Arbor, Mich.
2016 global units: 13,811
Y-O-Y unit change: 10.2%
Country count: 12
Top markets: USA, India, United Kingdom
8. Max's Restaurant
Headquarters: Makati, Philippines
2016 global units: 193
Y-O-Y unit change: 9.7%
Country count: 6
Top markets: Philippines, USA, Canada
9. Mugg & Bean
Headquarters: Midrand, South Africa
2016 global units: 219
Y-O-Y unit change: 9.0%
Country count: 3
Top markets: South Africa, Ghana, Malawi
10. Starbucks
Headquarters: Seattle
2016 global units: 25,085
Y-O-Y unit change: 8.9%
Country count: 74
Top markets: USA, China, Canada
11. Jollibee
Headquarters: Pasig, Philippines
2016 global units: 1,145
Y-O-Y unit change: 8.5%
Country count: 11
Top markets: Philippines, Vietnam, USA
12. Le Pain Quotidien
Headquarters: New York City
2016 global units: 282
Y-O-Y unit change: 8.5%
Country count: 18
Top markets: USA, United Kingdom, Belgium
13. Vapiano
Headquarters: Bonn, Germany
2016 global units: 180
Y-O-Y unit change: 8.4%
Country count: 33
Top markets: Germany, Austria, Sweden
14. Debonairs Pizza
Headquarters: Midrand, South Africa
2016 global units: 607
Y-O-Y unit change: 7.8%
Country count: 16
Top markets: South Africa, Botswana, Zambia
15. Costa Coffee
Headquarters: Dunstable, England
2016 global units: 3,532
Y-O-Y unit change: 7.8%
Country count: 32
Top markets: United Kingdom, China, Poland
16. Five Guys Burgers and Fries
Headquarters: Lorton, Va.
2016 global units: 1,418
Y-O-Y unit change: 7.4%
Country count: 9
Top markets: USA, Canada, United Kingdom
17. Chowking
Headquarters: Pasig, Philippines
2016 global units: 521
Y-O-Y unit change: 7.4%
Country count: 7
Top markets: Philippines, UAE, USA
18. Cafe Coffee Day
Headquarters: Bangalore, India
2016 global units: 1,607
Y-O-Y unit change: 7.3%
Country count: 5
Top markets: India, Czech Republic, Malaysia
19. Telepizza
Headquarters: Madrid
2016 global units:1,225
Y-O-Y unit change: 6.1%
Country count: 15
Top markets: Spain, Chile, Poland
20. Paris Baguette
Headquarters: Seongnam, South Korea
2016 global units: 3,922
Y-O-Y unit change: 6.1%
Country count: 7
Top markets: South Korea, China, USA
21. Red Ribbon
Headquarters: City of Industry, Calif.
2016 global units: 430
Y-O-Y unit change: 5.9%
Country count: 1
Top markets: Philippines, USA
22. Pita Pit
Headquarters: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
2016 global units: 623
Y-O-Y unit change: 5.8%
Country count: 11
Top markets: USA, Canada, New Zealand
23. Fishaways
Headquarters: Midrand, South Africa
2016 global units: 240
Y-O-Y unit change: 5.7%
Country count: 2
Top markets: South Africa, Mauritius
24. Pacific Coffee
Headquarters: Hong Kong
2016 global units: 428
Y-O-Y unit change: 5.7%
Country count: 4
Top markets: China, Hong Kong, Malaysia
25. Papa John's
Headquarters: Louisville, Ky.
2016 global units: 5,097
Y-O-Y unit change: 4.2%
Country count: 45
Top markets: USA, United Kingdom, China