FSR’S ANNUAL LIST OF HIGH-POTENTIAL, PERFORMANCE-PROVEN FULL-SERVICE BRANDS WITH 50 LOCATIONS OR FEWER AND GROWING FAST.
This 2018 collection of 50 emerging chains with 50 or fewer locations offers plenty of insight into how a full-service restaurant concept can grow. We’ve got the numbers driving the most exciting chains—and tips that will help your growing brand chart its own world domination.
[DOWNLOAD] 2017 and 2018 FSR 50 reports in PDF format
RARE Steakhouse
MADISON, WI
3 UNITS With locations in Madison, Milwaukee and Washington, D.C., RARE Steakhouse has quickly established itself as one of the PREMIER DINING EXPERIENCES in each market it operates in.
Founding Farmers
WASHINGTON, DC
7 UNITS Providing SCRATCH-MADE, RESPONSIBLY SOURCED American food isn’t new. Doing so under an ownership model that brings the farmers to the table—excuse the wordplay—is. The brand is poised to hit 10 units in 2019.
The Ainsworth
NEW YORK, NY
7 UNITS All of The Ainsworth’s locations offer CLASSIC AMERICAN FARE, signature cocktails, and stimulating decor in a mixed space of restaurant, bar, lounge and events areas.
Thirsty Lion Gastropub & Grill
PORTLAND, OR
8 UNITS Getting local is the Lion’s specialty—each location caters to its market, with queso in Texas and charcuterie in the Northwest. Giving guests a TRUE GASTROPUB EXPERIENCE is leading the Lion to expand.
Public School On Tap
WOODLAND HILLS, CA
8 UNITS This chef-driven gastropub delivers an education in the art of food and beer. Is it the BACON CHEDDAR TOTS, known affectionately as “infamous” by the restaurant, that’s pushing the brand to expand?
b Restaurants—burgers.beer.bourbon
HARTFORD, CT
9 UNITS It has taken b Restaurants the last decade to expand to nine locations, but the next couple of years are heating up for the brand that was founded in 2006 around the belief that GREAT FOOD AND DRINK BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER.
Babalu
ROSWELL, GA
9 UNITS After its founding in 2010, Babalu has taken the Southeast by storm using HYPER-LOCAL PRODUCE and products for its made-from-scratch dishes. Each Latin-inspired dish has unique Southern flair.
Zea Rotisserie & Grill
NEW ORLEANS, LA
9 UNITS Started in 1997 by three NEW ORLEANS CHEFS inspired by rotisserie cooking in Europe, Zea has continued to turn out fresh menus that delight guests at an affordable price point.
Piola
MIAMI, FL
10 UNITS The Italian brand landed in the U.S. with its headquarters in Miami and has locations in four states. Piola means “meeting point” in Piedmontese (a Venetian dialect) and is bringing Americans to the table for AUTHENTIC, ARTISANAL PIZZA.
Pinstripes Bistro Bowling Bocce
CHICAGO, IL
10 UNITS Pairing an upscale Italian-American menu with BOWLING AND BOCCE has been a recipe for success at Pinstripes, which expects to expand to 15 units in 2019.
The Matador
SEATTLE, WA
11 UNITS Scratch-made Mexican cuisine and an ASSORTMENT OF TEQUILAS are behind the Matador’s drive to develop new markets in its five-state footprint.
Stoney River Steakhouse
NASHVILLE, TN
12 UNITS Beef accounts for 70 percent of sales at Stoney River Steakhouse, a J. Alexander brand that TAKES ITS STEAKS VERY SERIOUSLY.
Redlands Grill
NASHVILLE, TN
12 UNITS Another J. Alexander brand, Redlands Grill has been SLOWLY TAKING OVER J. Alexander locations, with at least two more on the way this year.
Blue Sushi Sake Grill
OMAHA, NE
Blue Sushi is on a roll.
13 UNITS This sushi brand is on a roll as it climbs the ranks closer to the 20-unit mark. READ MORE ABOUT BLUE SUSHI SAKE GRILL.
Sauce Pizza and Wine
SCOTTSDALE, AZ
13 UNITS Sauce is putting the fine in fine casual with its focus on QUALITY FOOD MADE FRESH DAILY and looking to add six units in the next two years.
Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House
SOUTHLAKE, TX
13 UNITS How a fine-dining brand made its offerings more accessible and affordable—a move that’s been a SUCCESS THAT KEEPS GROWING.
Ocean Prime
COLUMBUS, OH
14 UNITS Known as the fine-dining jewel in the Cameron Mitchell Restaurants portfolio, Ocean Prime is an ideal place to socialize, talk business, celebrate, or indulge, with a VIBRANT ENERGY that is driving the brand forward.
110 Grill
WESTFORD, MA
14 UNITS The casual yet upscale atmosphere at 110 Grill is complete with open kitchens, large horseshoe-shaped bars, and outdoor patios with FIRE PITS. All this combined with dishes made from scratch on seasonal menus is propelling the brand.
Yolk
CHICAGO, IL
14 UNITS What’s brunch without a runny yolk? Yolk is a brunch brand that pushes the envelope with new ideas, CREATIVE BREAKFASTS, specialty juices, private label premium coffee, and new locations that are hot and ready.
Tupelo Honey Café
ASHEVILLE, NC
15 UNITS The experience at Tupelo Honey Café embodies SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY in the Blue Ridge Mountains that keeps customers coming back for more chef-driven comfort food.
STK
NEW YORK, NY
15 UNITS A blend of the modern steakhouse and CHIC LOUNGE, STK’s fine dining experience brings superior quality and tradition to major cities.
Cody’s Original Roadhouse
TAMPA, FL
16 UNITS The simplicity of the Cody’s mantra—“Just Plain Good Food”—is just what the diner ordered, taking the FONDNESS FOR THE FAMILIAR to its finest.
Oggi’s Sports Brewhouse
SAN CLEMENTE, CA
16 UNITS This 27-year-old, family-owned pizza concept has defined craft brewing, fresh pizza, and brewpub favorites in a SPORTS-THEMED ATMOSPHERE. The brews are award-winning; Oggi’s brews have brought home more than 50 medals in beer competitions.
The Flying Biscuit
ATLANTA, GA
16 UNITS After 20 years and 16 locations, The Flying Biscuit still maintains its quintessential NEIGHBORHOOD FEEL with its Southern-inspired comfort food menu.
bartaco
NORWALK, CT
Bartaco is headed to the Del Frisco’s portfolio of concepts.
17 UNITS On the edge of acquisition, bartaco still knows what sort of experience its looking to create for its guests and is sticking to it. READ MORE ABOUT BARTACO.
Arooga’s
HARRISBURG, PA
17 UNITS It’s been 10 years since Arooga’s opened its first location in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The passion to offer guests more is still driving the brand as Arooga’s begins to offer the latest technology such as TABLE PAYMENT and an app-based jukebox.
The Lost Cajun
COVINGTON, LA
17 UNITS This family-friendly concept with AUTHENTIC CAJUN FOOD strives for a true hole-in-the-wall vibe despite its 17-location success that’s still growing.
J. Alexander’s
Nashville, TN
19 UNITS A low TABLE-TO-SERVER ratio is the trademark of concepts in the J. Alexander’s Holdings group, and nowhere is that more evident than in the signature brand.
Walk-On’s
BATON ROUGE, LA
19 UNITS It’s game day every day at Walk On’s where LOUISIANA FARE meets sports bar flair by a brand that aims to more than double its footprint in two years.
Zinburger Wine & Burger Bar
LIVINGSTON, NJ
20 UNITS This upscale boutique burger concept offers GOURMET BURGERS and perfectly paired wine selections.
Bubba’s 33
FISHERS, IA
21 UNITS PIZZA, BURGERS, BEER, AND SPORTS rule at Bubba’s, named for the founder’s nickname. Kent Taylor, founder of Texas Roadhouse restaurants, created Bubba’s in 2013 and has been expanding rapidly.
Eddie V’s
ORLANDO, FL
21 UNITS Darden proves a corporate group can deliver fine-dining excellence with this UPSCALE SEAFOOD concept that continues to expand.
Umami Burger
LOS ANGELES, CA
22 UNITS This over-the-top burger shop has a CULT FOLLOWING AND BIG PLANS to spread that cult around the globe. Along with international expansion, the brand plans to add 40 units in 2019.
Rock & Brews
MANHATTAN BEACH, CA
22 UNITS ROCK LEGENDS and local brewery rockstars meet at Rock & Brews, a growing Southern California brand with a family friendly atmosphere serving American food.
Rusty Bucket Restaurant & Tavern
COLUMBUS, OH
23 UNITS Founded in 2002, the sister company within the Cameron Mitchell Restaurants group calls itself a casual-dining experience, but each location features an executive chef guiding FROM-SCRATCH MENUS.
JINYA Ramen Bar
LOS ANGELES, CA
23 UNITS Realizing the need for AUTHENTIC RAMEN in the U.S., Tokyo restaurateur Tomonori Takahashi opened JINYA’s first location in Los Angeles in 2010. Despite fast growth—12 new units this year and 25 planned for next—JINYA is known for a slow-cooked approach to ramen.
Boston’s
DALLAS, TX
24 UNITS Family-friendly casual dining and the high-energy sports bar vibe coincide at Boston’s, which has specialized in relaxing atmospheres and SCRATCH FOOD for over 50 years and is still growing.
Lazy Dog
HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA
Lazy Dog is leading the next wave of casual dining concepts into the future.
26 UNITS While the name lends itself to the casual atmosphere, the growth strategy at Lazy Dog is anything but lazy. READ MORE ABOUT LAZY DOG.
Carolina Ale House
RALEIGH, NC
30 UNITS The parent company of Carolina Ale House—LM Restaurants, owned by Lou and Joy Moshakos—is truly a FAMILY-OPERATED business. The Moshakos’ three daughters help to run the growing restaurant empire.
Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant
CHICAGO, IL
31 UNITS Chef-driven cuisine isn’t the only thing driving success at Cooper’s Hawk. The WINERY produces 5 million bottles annually and has won more than 300 local, national, and international awards.
Snooze
DENVER, CO
31 UNITS Up from 20 units in last year’s FSR 50, Snooze is GROWING SUSTAINABLY with the goal of being an asset to each of the communities it operates in.
Famous Toastery
CHARLOTTE, NC
32 UNITS Best friends turned business partners Brian Burchill and Robert Maynard opened the first Famous Toastery in 2005 and quickly grew to three locations. Up 10 units from last year, the duo is crushing their goal to break through the otherwise boring CASUAL BREAKFAST segment.
Native Grill & Wings
CHANDLER, AZ
33 UNITS This family-friendly wing spot has been around since 1979 but is anything but old news. Coupling America’s longtime love of CHICKEN WINGS with new strategies—a mobile app, loyalty program, online ordering, and third-party delivery—has proved to be the key to growth.
Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar
LAKEWOOD, CO
33 UNITS They’re BAD AND THEY KNOW IT, up 10 units since last year with plans to add 9 more in 2018 and 10 in 2019.
Duffy’s Sports Grill
LAKE WORTH, FL
34 UNITS This Florida sports bar has become a regional leader in top-quality casual dining with an emphasis on fresh ingredients and MORE THAN 80 TVS broadcasting endless sports entertainment.
Cantina Laredo
DALLAS, TX
37 UNITS This MODERN MEXICAN spot has replicated its sophisticated atmosphere in 16 states, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.
Abuelo’s
LUBBOCK, TX
38 UNITS The Abuelo’s story is simple—extraordinary flavor, impeccable service, and memorable experiences, all coupled with EVERYDAY VALUE. The chain is fast approaching the 50 mark with two more units added each year for the next two years.
Seasons 52
ORLANDO, FL
41 UNITS Darden’s CHIC GREEN BRAND with a focus on seasonal and local is steadily growing.
Firebirds Wood Fired Grill
CHARLOTTE, NC
45 UNITS Soon to be a graduate of the FSR 50, this contemporary-polished chain offering an energetic twist on the TRADITIONAL GRILL is firing up each community it lands in.
Bareburger
NEW YORK, NY
47 UNITS Due to grow beyond 50 this year, Bareburger has been banking on its NO-FUNNY-BUSINESS attitude and reaping the rewards. The chain proudly serves its communities with the goal to make the whole world smile.
