Emerging Brands

New brands and soon-to-open concepts worth watching

Inside the plate lunch concept that’s growing ultra-fast with Hawaiian comfort food

By Heather Lalley on May 06, 2022

Drive-thrus and a super-simple menu propelled Hawaiian Bros. Island Grill into the Top 500, with year-over-year sales growth of 172%.

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Emerging Brands

How the pandemic shifted the strategy for Naf Naf Grill

By Heather Lalley on May 02, 2022

Greg Willman was the Middle Eastern concept’s first franchisee in March 2020. Now, he’s the chain’s CEO and owner as it works to rebuild.

Emerging Brands

Wawa plans to double footprint, open more drive-thrus

By Joe Guszkowski and Greg Lindenberg on Apr. 20, 2022

The c-store chain known for its food expects to reach about 1,800 locations by the end of the decade, its CEO said.

Emerging Brands

Top 500: The pandemic-fueled chicken craving still has legs

By Heather Lalley on Apr. 18, 2022

Fast-casual chicken chains grew their sales by more than 24% over 2019—more than any other segment tracked by the Top 500.

Emerging Brands

Why this up-and-coming salad chain says it’s ready to go head-to-head with Sweetgreen

By Heather Lalley on Apr. 15, 2022

Crisp & Green, founded in 2016 by former fitness chain executive Steele Smiley, said it has been profitable every quarter and that it is seeing $2.5 million average unit volumes.

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Emerging Brands

Why a small sandwich concept is breaking out of the fast-casual box

By Heather Lalley on Apr. 07, 2022

Zunzi’s was doing well as a traditional fast casual, its CEO said, but then it added a bar and sales soared. Now, it’s changed its franchising plans.

Emerging Brands

3-unit Rasa scores some growth funding

By Heather Lalley on Mar. 08, 2022

The Indian fast casual’s founders said the money will allow the chain to expand along the East Coast to offer its “authentic and accessible” fare in more cities.

Emerging Brands