Expect a shakeup in the restaurant rankings if Janney Capital Markets' predictions for America's top 10 restaurant chains in 2020 prove to be correct. The firm expects a swift rise in fortunes for a few of the largest chains, according to a recently released report.
From a sales perspective, Chick-fil-A, Starbucks and Chipotle Mexican Grill are forecast to be some of the biggest breakout stars as measured by U.S. systemwide sales.
"It highlights how certain brands that are maybe more in line with what today's consumer wants and future consumers want are moving up the ranks nicely," said Mark Kalinowski, a restaurant analyst at Janney Capital Markets, in a phone interview.
While the industry's top sales performer is expected to hang on to its spot, Janney forecast a shuffling of every other ranking in the top 10.
Notably, the firm expects DineEquity's Applebee's to fall out of the top 10, largely because it is a full-service concept, a category which generally does not draw the same kind of appeal or frequency as quick-service restaurants. Still, it will likely stay the biggest full-service chain during the next several years, analysts forecast.
While many fast-growing chains didn't quite make the top 10 cut, Janney singled out Panera Bread, Sonic Drive-In, Buffalo Wild Wings, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Panda Express, Texas Roadhouse, Jimmy John's and Darden's LongHorn Steakhouse as concepts that should "remain impressive growers."
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