Future 50: Emerging Brands
Restaurant Business magazine's annual ranking of the fastest-growing small chains in America
Future 50: Emerging Brands
Olga’s Kitchen
Olga’s Kitchen is a midscale sandwich concept specializing in Greek-inspired pita wraps stuffed with an extensive selection of ingredients and served in a fast and family-friendly atmosphere.
Future 50: Emerging Brands
Larry’s Giant Subs
Over 25 years, founder Larry Raikes and his brother Mitch have built Larry’s Giant Subs from a tiny, carryout shop to a chain of franchises with 88 locations throughout the Southern states.
Ten years ago, Len and Sheila Moore decided to finance their daughter's college education by opening a sub shop in a Memphis suburb. Though they'd planned just one unit, customer response to the concept—sliced-to-order subs and Philly cheesesteaks—led them to open a few more. In 2004, they sold the burgeoning chain to a group of investors including current CEO George Alvord, a longtime foodservice professional. With units in 19 states, the concept encourages franchisees to select locations that can support both catering and a strong lunch business.
At Bandana's Bar-B-Q, slow-cooked Southern barbecue is the order of the day. That means the pork, beef, chicken and turkey spend 11 to 14 hours in the smoker along with green hardwoods and founder David Seitz's 50-year-old dry rub recipes. Though the food is cooked slowly, it's served fast, with Bandana's promising a meal for four in 30 minutes or less. Seitz brought Southern barbecue to St. Louis in 1996, and now has locations throughout Missouri, as well as in Colorado, Iowa and Illinois.