THE FOOD SAFETY POST-CHIPOTLE P BEST WAY TO BUILD AN APP P NEW REALITIES OF R&D P. 2 9 TECHNOMIC S 250 TOP-GROSSING CHAINS P.

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1 FOOD SAFETY POST-CHIPOTLE P BEST WAY TO BUILD AN APP P NEW REALITIES OF R&D P. 2 9 June THE TOP 20 GROWTH CHAINS P. 38 THIS CHAIN JUMPED 50 SPOTS P. 40 PIZZA HUT TAKES ON FAST CASUALS P TRENDS SHAPING THE INDUSTRY P. 11 HOW NOT TO BE A LOSER P. 17 THE FASTEST- GROWING FSRS P. 46 FAST CASUALS ON TOP P. 44 HOW CHAINS ARE SELLING SODA NOW P. 32 INSIDE PANERA S NEW VENTURE P. 25 MENU- SEGMENT DOMINATORS P. 49 MEET THE LIST S NEWCOMERS P. 42 TECHNOMIC S 250 TOP-GROSSING CHAINS P. 58 RESTAURANTBUSINESSONLINE.COM

2 INSIGHTS FROM THE TECHNOMIC THE TOP 500 CHAINS BY SALES IN THE U.S. BROUGHT IN $287.7B IN 2015 QSRS AND FAST CASUALS MAKE UP 73.5% OF SALES AMONG TOP 500 CHAINS SALES AMONG TOP 500 CHAINS WERE UP 5% IN 2015 WELL OVER HALF OF THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY S $490.8 BILLION IN 2015 SALES came from the Top 500 chains. These giants grew at a modestly stronger rate, both by sales and store counts, than the industry overall. Moreover, the 250 top-grossing chains account for 94 percent of sales and 92 percent of units of the Top 500 chains. So, Restaurant Business focused on these top performers for insights and trends driving the industry. You ll find them here, in our first-ever special feature delivering lessons from Technomic s annual Top 500 Chain Restaurant Report. AMONG TOP 500 CHAINS, LIMITED-SERVICE UNITS ARE UP 2.3% AND FULL-SERVICE SPOTS INCREASED 0.8% WRITTEN BY SARA RUSH WIRTH WITH DATA AND ANALYSIS BY TECHNOMIC TOP 500 CHAINS ACCOUNT FOR 223,365 RESTAURANT UNITS ABOUT 26.5% OF SALES AMONG TOP 500 CHAINS CAME FROM FULL-SERVICE RESTAURANTS LIMITED-SERVICE SALES GREW 5.5% TO $211.4B IN 2015 SALES AT FULL-SERVICE RESTAURANTS IN THE TOP 500 ARE UP 3.6% TO $76.3B June Restaurant Business 35

3 BIGGEST SALES GROWTH SALES UNIT CHANGE CHANGE 385 MOD Pizza 220.5% 196.8% 279 Blaze Pizza 204.8% 108% 264 BurgerFi 69.3% 30.2% 353 Pieology Pizzeria 67.3% 85.7% 280 PDQ 60.6% 51.5% 416 Smallcakes 55% 30.7% Cupcakery and Creamery 174 Shake Shack 53.6% 36.1% 374 Freshii 48.2% 55.6% 296 WaBa Grill 43% 36.9% 139 The Habit 42.5% 29.1% Burger Grill 414 Another Broken 40.9% 26.8% Egg Cafe 306 Kneaders Bakery 40% 60.6% & Cafe 496 Rock & Brews 39.9% 42.9% 92 Marco s Pizza 34.3% 17% 314 STK 33.4% 50% 132 Freddy s Frozen 33.1% 31.1% Custard & Steakburgers 458 Sweetgreen 32.7% 44.4% 500 Nando s Peri-Peri 32.5% 40% 447 Mooyah 31.4% 27.7% 299 Del Frisco s Grille 30.2% 25% BIGGEST SALES DECLINE SALES UNIT CHANGE CHANGE 400 Blimpie Subs -24.5% -24.4% & Salads 109 Quiznos -23.9% -18% 262 Elephant Bar -23.7% -3.4% Restaurant 117 Friendly s -19.1% -5.4% 402 Black-eyed Pea -18.4% -37.5% 225 Coco s Bakery -16% -34.9% Restaurant 151 Ryan s -15.2% -26.8% 425 CherryBerry -14.9% -18.5% 410 Back Yard Burgers -14.5% -9.5% 149 Mimi s Cafe -13.9% -5.6% Source: Technomic THE TOP 500 CHAINS enjoyed year-over-year growth of 5 percent, besting the 4.8 percent gain of the industry overall. Unit growth for the top chains was nearly double that of the industry. What s fueling that growth? A strong connection with millennial consumers, says Technomic President Darren Tristano. Largely, that means low-touch, high-tech operations and a brand that stands for something. But beyond demographics, there are some other dynamics shaping the growth landscape. BREAKFAST Beyond QSRs, the morning daypart overall is driving growth in family-dining chains as well. EATERTAINMENT It needn t be dinner and a show, but customers want to be entertained by the dining experience. WHAT S DRIVING GROWTH? Restaurant chains that experienced a surge in both sales and units in 2015 are hitting on trends that proved to grow sales and traffic. Expanding dayparts. Breakfast was a big growth area within the Top 500 not only in QSRs such as McDonald s and Taco Bell, but breakfast-and-lunch-only full-service chains also have been proliferating. Nontraditional locations. On the traffic front, chains are adding stores at nontraditional venues, namely malls, airports and college campuses. They re also looking at smaller storefronts, says Tristano. With more meals taking place offpremise, there s less of a demand for in-store dining. Smaller platforms mean lower cost and the ability to expand faster, he says. Moving the price goal posts. The fast-casual market, which has celebrated two decades of double-digit sales growth, is evolving. Its pricepoint is moving north of $10, says Tristano. That s left opportunity for splintering within the quick-service segment. QSR-plus chains, such as Culver s, Chick-fil-A and In-N-Out Burger, are willing to move the needle on quality but remain relatively convenient. In most cases, drive-thrus still contribute to the ease factor, and price points remain affordable for consumers. Traditional QSRs with lower price points, on the other hand, will continue to win by targeting the range of lower- to middle-income customers and trading on volume, Tristano says. The challenge those chains will face going forward, though, will be difficulty in inching up prices and moving away from discounting. 38 Restaurant Business June

4 ING JUMPERS DIFF Blaze Pizza MOD Pizza Sweetgreen Freshii Pieology Pizzeria Rock & Brews Smallcakes Cupcakery and Creamery Nando s PDQ BurgerFi WaBa Grill Another Broken Egg Cafe Little Sheep Mongolian Hot Pot Kneaders Bakery & Cafe Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar Lemonade STK Shake Shack Del Frisco s Grille Tucanos Brazilian Grill ING SLIPPERS DIFF Blimpie America s Sub Shop CherryBerry Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt Black-eyed Pea Mooyah Tully s Coffee Back Yard Burgers Saladworks Elephant Bar Restaurant Azteca Mexican Restaurants Source: Technomic DIY PIZZA Specialty fast casuals that are more narrowly differentiated will continue to prosper through doing one thing well. SMALLCAKES It avoided the fate of many cupcake brands by broadening its reach within the dessert category with ice cream. MOOYAH Stumble may be due, at least in part, to not resonating well with consumers outside of its hometown of. 3 LESSONS FROM THE LIST SHIFTERS Operators can learn from the chains jumping up the ranks, as well as those that slipped down. Singular sensations show promise With the exception of Smallcakes (No. 416), most such chains aren t big enough to crack the Top 500 yet, but Tristano predicts that concepts with a singular focus (ice cream sandwich shops, for example) are on a trajectory for growth. And eventually they will take the lead from specialty categories, like barbecue or Mediterranean, though there s room in the industry for both. but must avoid pigeonholing problems. While singularly focused concepts are succeeding, defining a brand by one menu item might hurt it. One example: Starting with the name itself, Saladworks committed to being a chain all about leafy greens. Compare that to rising star Sweetgreen, says Tristano. While salad also is at the core of its menus, the focus is more on quality and impacting the supply chain, he says, leaving it room to move beyond salad. Regional chains may benefit from staying regional. Localized concepts, such as Mooyah, that move outside of their core area are likely to suffer, says Tristano. Contrast that with In-N-Out Burger and The Habit Burger, both of which have created strong brands by staying relatively local. The lesson, Tristano says, is to understand where the ample opportunity is within a region. But for those that do want to expand beyond home base, he says it s important to adapt. Smashburger has seen success by creating menu items and incorporating craft beers that differ by location. Adapting locally [is key] because the customer is different and the competitors are different, he says. Focus on a clean path to health. Healthy, better-for-you menu items clearly matter to consumers, but sourcing remains a challenge for operators. Those already succeeding with sourcing changes tend to be smaller, regional players, further down in the ranking. But for the big national concepts, it s going to take years for suppliers to catch up, says Tristano. That s proven true; it s a multiyear project for Chickfil-A to swap in antibiotic-free chicken. The opportunity [lies] more with clean foods and reduced preservatives a move toward fresh without impacting food safety, he says. 40 Restaurant Business June

5 NEWCOMERS (Rank/Sales/Units) Chains that jumped onto the Top 500 list represent a wide swath of the industry. But most have one commonality: a marketing message and brand ethos pointed at today s diners. This year, that comes in the form of DIY pizza places, better-for-you fast casuals or an unpretentious, approachable vibe wrapped in a full-service experience. BLAZE PIZZA 279/$100.6M/104 The build-yourown chain has been expanding more than unit counts, adding vegan cheese to its menu as well as an ordering and loyalty app. It s attracted big investors, too: NBA star LeBron James didn t renew his McDonald s deal so he could be Blaze s spokesman. GRIMALDI S COAL BRICK- OVEN PIZZERIA 310/$86.9M/43 Grimaldi s pushed into several new markets in The New York-style pizza chain is very active on social media, scoring big with its followers for posting food porn as well as touting its promotions. RODIZIO GRILL 321/$82.5M/17 Brazilian steakhouse Rodizio Grill opened a handful of new units in 2015 and plans to continue on that growth path this year. It also launched its first annual nationwide summer promotion in 2015, meshing American barbecue with its traditional Brazilian fare. FRESHII 374/$67.6M/98 The healthful chain considers itself a threat to fast food. In fact, CEO Matthew Corrin penned an open letter proposing mini Freshii units inside McDonald s as a turnaround plan for the giant. It then started putting them in Target stores. Freshii also launched an incubator in a Chicago tech hub. MOD PIZZA 385/$64.8M/92 MOD has been on the fast track to expansion, opening in several new markets and launching some nontraditional airport sites. To keep up, the chain added new VP roles on the exec team. It s keeping the menu on-trend, too, debuting seasonal pizzas and switching to non-gmo pizza dough. SMALLCAKES 416/$60M/115 Cupcakes aren t dead just yet. But to stay alive, the scratchmade cupcake chain changed its name from Smallcakes A Cupcakery to Cupcakery and Creamery to position itself as a dual threat of both baked goods and frozen desserts. The expanded menu has helped the chain break out of its hyperfocused position. FIG & OLIVE 431/$57.2M/8 Known for kicking off the meal with a sample of olive oils, the Mediterraneaninspired concept changes its menu seasonally. To promote its cuisine, the upscale chain launched a cookbook in November and held several promotional events across the country. Because of its chic, urban vibe and big-city locales, it also markets itself as a go-to spot for parties and events. THE BOILING CRAB 436/$56.6M/16 Breaking from the sluggish seafood chain mentality, The Boiling Crab is so laid back that it doesn t have plates or silverware. It s all about the carefree experience something big among millennials. The simple menu lists seafood by the pound with a choice of seasoning, adding in a little customization. Food is served in bags and dumped on papertopped tables for diners to eat with their hands. OREGANO S PIZZA BISTRO 441/$55.8M/16 Marketing itself as the neighborhood Italian spot, Oregano s doesn t just stick to one type of pizza it offers a wide variety that includes Chicago-style, stuffed, thin crust and pan. A big news item for the over 20-year-old chain in 2015: a new flavor of its signature cookie pizza dessert. And it also has continued to push itself as a catering and private party hub. SWEETGREEN 458/$52M/39 The better-for-you chain aimed at millennials raised $35 million in investments in It promotes itself as a lifestyle brand, focusing on sustainability, transparent sourcing and relationships with farmers. To further its more-than-food stance, it sells branded apparel and runs a Sweetlife music festival. It also added a new prototype with an open kitchen and bleacher seating.

6 QUICK SERVICE LIMITED SERVICE SALES UNITS 1 McDonald s 35,837,200 14,259 2 Starbucks 13,936,114* 13,066 3 Subway 11,500,000 27,103 4 Taco Bell 9,100,000* 6,121 5 Burger King 9,000,000* 7,086 6 Wendy s 8,777,400* 5,722 7 Dunkin Donuts 7,624,140 8,431 8 Chick-fil-A 6,291,000* 1,950 9 Pizza Hut 5,510,000* 7, Domino s 4,708,587* 5, Sonic Drive-In 4,413,661 3, KFC 4,001,490* 4, Dairy Queen/ 3,531,186 4,506 Orange Julius 19 Little Caesars 3,500,000* 4,250* 20 Arby s 3,450,855 3, Jack in the Box 3,338,150* 2, Papa John's 2,816,017* 3, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen 2,720,250* 1, Hardee's 2,164,807 1, Whataburger 2,001, FAST CASUAL SALES UNITS 10 Panera Bread/ 4,795,900 1,955 Saint Louis Bread Co. 13 Chipotle Mexican Grill 4,419,590 1, Panda Express 2,550,184 1, Jimmy John's Gourmet 2,018,700* 2,450* Sandwiches 41 Zaxby's 1,478,400* Five Guys 1,319,491 1,215 Burgers and Fries 54 Wingstop 768, Qdoba Mexican Eats 744,943* Jersey Mike's Subs 675,000 1, Jason's Deli 654,300* Firehouse Subs 648, Moe's Southwest Grill 638, Boston Market 610,000* Raising Cane's 567, Chicken Fingers 77 McAlister's Deli 547, Dickey's Barbecue Pit 519,600* Noodles & Company 517, Einstein Bros. Bagels 511,900* Corner Bakery Cafe 380, Pollo Tropical 368, Source: Technomic; *estimate FCR ON TOP Not only are fast-casual restaurants growing in units, but in samestore sales, too, thanks to more customization and sleek designs that appeal. DELIVERY LSRs intensified their investment in delivery, with some, such as Domino's, upping their in-house game and others partnering with third-party deliverers. PRICE PUSH QSRs struggling to get consumers to spend more will have greater issues as labor costs increase. This marks the first year that all Top 10 chains in The 500 are limited service (with Panera Bread wrestling the No. 10 slot from Applebee s). Fast casual, in particular continues zooming full speed ahead, with two straight decades of double-digit growth. This year, it represented just 16 percent of all LSR sales, but that totaled to nearly $34 million for the year. LIMITED-SERVICE SALES GROWTH BY SEGMENT 5.5% Top 500 LSR sales growth rate FASTEST GROWING LIMITED-SERVICE CHAINS >$200M THE HABIT BURGER GRILL 2015 SALES: $251M : 43% : 29% MARCO S PIZZA 2015 SALES: $418M : 34% : 17% FREDDY S STEAKBURGERS 2015 SALES: $267M : 33% : 31% 11.5% Fast casual 8.2% QSR-plus 4.4% Quick service <$200M MOD PIZZA 2015 SALES: $65M : 221% : 197% BLAZE PIZZA 2015 SALES: $101M : 205% : 108% BURGERFI 2015 SALES: $112M : 69% : 30% 44 Restaurant Business June

7 CASUAL DINING SALES UNITS 11 Applebee's 4,739,442 1, Olive Garden 3,743, Buffalo Wild Wings 3,567,155 1, Chili's Grill & Bar 3,405,547* 1, Outback Steakhouse 2,566, Red Lobster 2,410,900* Texas Roadhouse 2,145,385* The Cheesecake Factory 1,913, LongHorn Steakhouse 1,570, TGI Fridays 1,567,000* Red Robin Gourmet 1,501,080* 510 Burgers & Brews 44 Ruby Tuesday 1,179,029* 684* 49 BJ's Restaurant 919, & Brewhouse 50 P.F. Chang's China Bistro 892, Hooters 829,300* California Pizza Kitchen 742,500* Carrabba's Italian Grill 729, Logan's Roadhouse 707,000* 256* 61 Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen 706,900* Bonefish Grill 635, FAMILY STYLE SALES UNITS 23 IHOP 3,255,000 1, Denny's 2,548,000 1, Cracker Barrel 2,288, Old Country Store 47 Waffle House 1,030,700* 1,805* 48 Bob Evans 946, Perkins Restaurant 644, & Bakery 104 Village Inn 359, Big Boy 330,400* 220* 117 Friendly's 310,700* 265* 142 Sonny's BBQ 249,000* 122 FINE DINING SALES UNITS 72 Ruth's Chris Steak House 592,000* The Capital Grille 397, Fleming's Prime 280, Steakhouse & Wine Bar 130 Morton's The Steakhouse 268,300* Texas de Brazil 252,800* 35 Churrascaria 159 Fogo de Chao 223,243* 29* 185 Mastro's Restaurants 183,100* Del Frisco's Double 161, Eagle Steak House Source: Technomic; *estimate EXPANDED CRAFT With strong adult beverage programs driving sales, the craft bar offerings extend beyond beer to cocktails and high-level service that starts at the table. FUELING FINE Fine dining represents less than 5 percent of the fullservice market, but its sales grew the most at 5.9 percent. FAMILY VALUES Family style is catching casual dining s growth through value positioning that s appealing to millennials. FULL SERVICE Only 32 percent of the industry s overall full-service sales come from Top 500 chains, compared to an 83 percent share in limited service. Sales growth among the Top 500 FSRs is slightly lower compared to all restaurants though year over year shows an uptick in sales. Unit growth, however, is higher than the industry results, with casual-dining chains representing 65 percent of all Top 500 FSR counts. FULL-SERVICE SALES GROWTH BY SEGMENT 3.6% Top 500 FSR sales growth rate FASTEST GROWING FULL-SERVICE CHAINS >$200M TWIN PEAKS 2015 SALES: $291M : 22% : 14% DAVE & BUSTER S 2015 SALES: $401M : 18% : 11% CHUY S 2015 SALES: $287M : 17% : 19% 3.5% Casual dining 3.1% Family style 5.9% Fine dining <$200M ROCK & BREWS 2015 SALES: $45M : 40% : 43% ANOTHER BROKEN EGG CAFÉ 2015 SALES: $61M : 41% : 27% STK 2015 SALES: $84M : 33% : 50% 46 Restaurant Business June

8 ASIAN ASIAN/NOODLE BAKERY CAFE BURGER Look inside for the Top 250 chains by menu category. CHICKEN COFFEE CAFE FAMILY CASUAL FAMILY STYLE FROZEN DESSERTS TOP CHAINS BY MENU CATEGORY While some segments are growing quickly, especially fast-casual pizza which Technomic President Darren Tristano predicts will be on a 10-plus percent growth trend for the next five years burger still is holding strong as the largest menu category within the Technomic Top 500 ranking. National fast-food giants bring in the lion s share of the earnings, but others within the segment haven t faced the same scrutiny and struggles as players like McDonald s. The better-burger movement in particular continues to be a lead performer, with a 10 percent growth rate since It s a $5 billion category in an $80 billion segment, Tristano says. ITALIAN/PIZZA MEXICAN PIZZA SANDWICH SEAFOOD SPECIALTY FSR SPECIALTY LSR SPORTS BAR STEAK VARIED MENU J u n e R e s tau r a n t B u s i n e s s 49

9 TOP CHAINS BY MENU CATEGORY BURGER $75.5B 3.3% 43, % 94.6% SALES ($000) 1 McDonald s 35,837,200 14,259 5 Burger King 9,000,000* 7,086 6 Wendy s 8,777,400* 5, Sonic Drive-In 4,413,661 3, Jack in the Box 3,338,150* 2, Hardee s 2,164,807 1, Whataburger 2,001, Carl s Jr. 1,496,489 1, Five Guys Burgers and Fries 1,319,491 1, Culver s 1,196, Steak n Shake 1,035,637* In-N-Out Burger 614,500* White Castle UNITS Krystal Company 421, Smashburger 306, Rally s Hamburgers 267,465* Fuddruckers 253,000* The Habit Burger Grill 251,366* Shake Shack 199, A&W AllAmerican Food 180,100* Jack s 132,500* Farmer Boys 122,800* ASIAN $1.9B 2.5% % 8.6% SALES ($000) UNITS 50 P.F. Chang s 892,300 China Bistro 116 Benihana 312, Genghis Grill 124,000* 86* 214 $23.3B 9.9% 23, % 91.9% ,077 COFFEE CAFE 531 Freddy s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers 132 CHICKEN 547, ,632* 91 Note: Top 500 share represents share of total menu segment. 559 Checkers Drive-In Restaurants 85 Only one menu segment within the Technomic Top 500 experienced a sales decline in 2015: family-casual buffet chains. Half of that segment s sales come from its top three chains, all of which saw sales drop or remain flat, hurting the category overall. At the same time, while some menu categories, such as coffee cafe and Asian/noodle, saw big sales jumps, most maintained modest growth. COFFEE AS FUEL Despite its moniker, Dunkin Donuts now is more of a coffee competitor. CEO Nigel Travis has said beverages are pushing same-store sales growth and that a major piece of its five-part plan for long-term growth is driving coffee innovation and culture. SALES ($000) UNITS 2 Starbucks 13,936,114* 13,066 7 Dunkin Donuts 7,624,140 8, Tim Hortons 668,960* 650* 133 Peet s Coffee & Tea 267,000* Caribou Coffee 256,700* 415* 173 The Coffee 200,900* Bean & Tea Leaf ,300 Dutch Bros. Coffee BAKERY CAFE $7.1B 6.7% 3, % 89.2% SALES ($000) UNITS 10 Panera Bread/ Saint Louis Bread Co. 4,795,900 1,955 Einstein Bros. Bagels 511,900* 97 Corner Bakery Cafe 380, Au Bon Pain 363, Bruegger s Bagels 209,000* Le Pain Quotidien 182,700* La Madeleine Country French Café 165,400* $20.1B 8.6% 13, % 88.7% ITALIAN FROZEN DESSERTS $6.4B 6.8% $8.2B 2.5% $18.2B 8.5% $23.3B 2.7% $23.3B 5.9% 12,578 0% 2, % 12, % 40, % 29, % 82.8% 45.4% 83.8% 78.2% 61.2% SALES ($000) UNITS 18 Dairy Queen/ Orange Julius 3,531,186 4, Baskin-Robbins 587, Cold Stone 365,000* Creamery Braum s Ice Cream 317,800* & Dairy Stores Yogurtland 180,000* Menchie s Frozen Yogurt 174,200* 390* 222 SweetFrog 143,000* Rita s Ice 142,500* 650* 224 Pinkberry 137,800* 155* 226 Red Mango 137,000* 250* 2,503 UNITS 8 Chick-fil-A 6,291,000* 1, KFC 4,001,490* 4, Popeyes 2,720,250* Louisiana Kitchen 1,970 SALES ($000) 36 Golden Corral 1,740, Old Country Buffet/ 476,600* HomeTown Buffet 160* 1,478,400* Bojangles Famous Chicken N Biscuits 1,150, Church s Chicken 855,800* 52 1,145* $3.9B 2.9% 1, % 74.9% UNITS 120 Souplantation & Sweet Tomatoes 304, Sizzler 238, Ryan s 234,300* 90* Wingstop 768, El Pollo Loco 753,340* Luby s 231,300* Boston Market 610,000* Raising Cane s Chicken Fingers 567, Ponderosa/ 150,693 Bonanza 249 Western Sizzlin 122,000* Pollo Tropical 368, Golden Chick 132,400* 152 ASIAN/NOODLE $4.1B 10.3% 3, % 75.6% Barbecue chains are growing, says Tristano, with concepts such as Mission Barbecue and Four Rivers on the verge of being breakout brands SPECIALTY FSR $2.4B 2% % 4.4% $14.2B 3.1% 9, % 34.9% UNITS UNITS 88 Famous Dave s 457,330* 176 1, Sonny s BBQ 249,000* Bahama Breeze Island Grille 203,800* The Melting Pot 198,700* Lucille s Smokehouse 185,300* Bar-B-Que Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill 182,800* Panda Express 2,550, Noodles 517,943 & Company 106 Pei Wei Asian Diner 350, Sarku Japan 226,500* 235* 240 Genghis Grill 124,000* 86* ,505 SALES ($000) SALES ($000) 191,800* 164, ,900* 160,500 Olive Garden 3,743,000 California Pizza 742,500* Kitchen Carrabba s 729,000 Italian Grill Maggiano s 401,100 Little Italy Romano s 298,400* Macaroni Grill Brio Tuscan Grille 261,700 Buca di Beppo 233,800* Bertucci s Johnny Carino s Mellow Mushroom Bravo Cucina Italiana LaRosa s Pizzeria SALES ($000) UNITS FAMILY STYLE 151 BBQ FAMILY CASUAL SALES ($000) Zaxby s PIZZA SANDWICH 41 MEXICAN WINNING FORMULAS Limited service leaders, Asian/ noodle, chicken and Mexican, illustrate a pull toward customization, ethnic flavors and value positioning SALES ($000) UNITS IHOP 3,255,000 1,604 Denny s 2,548,000 1,599 Cracker Barrel 2,288, Old Country Store Waffle House 1,030,700* 1,805* Bob Evans 946, Perkins Restaurant 644, & Bakery Village Inn 359, Big Boy 330,400* 220* Friendly s 310,700* 265* Huddle House 237, Shoney s 219,200* 144 Black Bear Diner 197, Eat n Park 167, Shari s Cafe 160,500* 96 and Pies First Watch 158,300* 137 The Original 148,500* 130* Pancake House Marie Callender s 148, Restaurant & Bakery Country Pride 143,300* 148* Restaurant Coco s Bakery 137,700* 71 Restaurant Iron Skillet 122,000* 70* SPECIALTY, EXPLAINED For comparison purposes, Technomic lists limited-service seafood chains as specialty, maintaining the seafood category for full-service concepts only. Similarly, Asian and pizza/ Italian chains are separated for full-service and limited-service differentiation. SALES ($000) UNITS Taco Bell 9,100,000* Chipotle 4,419,590 Mexican Grill Qdoba Mexican Eats 744,943* Del Taco 700,166 Moe s 638,120 Southwest Grill On The Border 361,100 Mexican Grill & Cantina Taco John s 358,860 Taco Cabana 331,431* Chuy s 287,062 Rubio s 221,973 Baja Fresh 206,700* Mexican Grill Cafe Rio 196,200* Mexican Grill Taco Bueno 185,000* Freebirds 168,700* World Burrito Pappasito s Cantina 153,000* Uncle Julio s 149,600* El Torito 143,200 Abuelo s 122,100* Tijuana Flats 120,000 6,121 1, SPECIALTY LSR $6.2B 7.8% 10, % 56.9% SALES ($000) 3 Subway 20 Arby s 33 Jimmy John s Gourmet Sandwiches UNITS SALES ($000) UNITS 11,500,000 27,103 9 Pizza Hut 5,510,000* 7,799 3,450,855 3, Domino s 4,708,587* 5,200 2,018,700* 19 Little Caesars 3,500,000* 4, Papa John s 2,816,017* 3,290 1, Papa Murphy s Pizza 880,429 1, Cicis 430,000* Round Table Pizza 424, Marco s Pizza 417, Chuck E. Cheese s 364,294* Hungry Howie s Pizza 342, Jet s Pizza 339,500* Godfather s Pizza 299,200* Sbarro 250,900* Pizza Ranch 228, Peter Piper Pizza 190,500* Donatos Pizza 183, Villa Fresh Italian Kitchen 148, Papa Gino s Pizzeria 144, Mazzio s Italian Eatery 124,600* Fox s Pizza Den 124,200* Mountain 122,054 Mike s Pizza 164 2,450* 63 Jersey 675,000 Mike s Subs 65 Jason s Deli 66 Firehouse Subs 648, McAlister s Deli 98 Potbelly Sandwich Shop 379,835* 109 Quiznos 338,900* 820* 111 Charleys Philly Steaks 334, PIE HIGH 114 Schlotzsky s 319, Portillo s 275,300* 146 Wienerschnitzel 241, Which Wich 214,400* Superior Sandwiches 375 Fast-casual pizza s grip on lunch will eliminate some of consumers demand for pizza at dinner. 654,300* 547, , Newk s Eatery 192 Penn Station East 176,700* Coast Subs Togo s 149,980 Sandwiches 215 Pret a Manger 147,600* Cosi 129,717* 104 SEAFOOD SALES ($000) UNITS 59 Krispy Kreme 708,143* Long John Silver s 559,700* 1,060* 78 Jamba Juice 539,000* 79 Captain D s 531,668 Seafood Kitchen 81 Auntie Anne s 82 Dickey s 519,600* Barbecue Pit Tropical 261,000 Smoothie Cafe Smoothie King 244,900* 650* 155 Zoës Kitchen 230, Fazoli s 228, Cinnabon 143, Great American Cookies 122,200* , ,248 $5.4B 0.4% 1, % 44.2% SALES ($000) UNITS 29 Red Lobster 2,410,900* Bonefish Grill 635, Joe s Crab 414, Shack 118 Pappadeaux 309,700* Seafood Kitchen McCormick 246,900* & Schmick s Legal Sea Foods 169 Bubba Gump 208,000* Shrimp Co. Restaurant & Market 236 Chart House 211, ,400* 28 29

10 SPORTS BAR $7.5B 8.1% 2, % N/A SALES ($000) UNITS 17 Buffalo Wild 3,567,155 1,145 Wings 53 Hooters 829,300* Dave & 401, Buster s 110 Miller s Ale 338,315* 72 House 125 Twin Peaks 291,100* Beef O 211,900* 198 Brady s 180 Tilted Kilt 187,600* 92 Pub & Eatery 204 Quaker 154,000* 54 Steak & Lube 241 Fox & Hound 123,200* 52 STEAK $10.9B 6% 2, % 57.5% SALES ($000) UNITS 26 Outback 2,566, Steakhouse 32 Texas 2,145,385* 473 Roadhouse 37 LongHorn 1,570, Steakhouse 60 Logan s 707,000* 256* Roadhouse 72 Ruth s Chris 592,000* 127 Steak House 96 The Capital 397, Grille 128 Fleming s Prime 280, Steakhouse & Wine Bar 130 Morton s The 268,300* 67 Steakhouse 138 Texas de Brazil 252,800* 35 Churrascaria 153 Saltgrass 232,700* 54 Steak House 159 Fogo de Chao 223,243* 29* 185 Mastro s 183,100* 13 Restaurants 200 Del Frisco s 161, Double Eagle Steak House 208 Black Angus 150,200* 46 Steakhouse 229 Lone Star 133,700* 70 Steakhouse PORK & POULTRY Varied-menu concepts continue to do well, possibly due to creative uses of lower-cost pork and chicken on menus. BEEFING UP Despite the rising cost of beef, steak continued as a leading fullservice segment. VARIED MENU $31B 4.1% 10, % 55.9% SALES ($000) UNITS 11 Applebee s 4,739,442 1, Chili s Grill & Bar 3,405,547* 1, The Cheesecake Factory 1,913, TGI Fridays 1,567,000* Red Robin 1,501,080* 510 Gourmet Burgers & Brews 44 Ruby Tuesday 1,179,029* 684* 49 BJ s Restaurant 919, & Brewhouse 61 Cheddar s 706,900* 168 Scratch Kitchen 80 O Charley s 525, Yard House 473, Hard Rock Cafe 300,500* Ninety Nine 293, Restaurants 127 Uno Pizzeria 280,400* 127 & Grill 141 Old Chicago 249, Pizza & Taproom 145 Seasons , Bar Louie 239, Mimi s Cafe 237,300* Rainforest Cafe 219,700* Claim Jumper 219,000* Houlihan s 209, Johnny Rockets 205,900* Jimmy Buffett s 182,000* 17 Margaritaville 196 Islands Fine 166,500* 55 Burgers & Drinks 206 J. Alexander s 151,600* Cooper s Hawk 147, Winery & Restaurants 221 Kona Grill 143, Houston s 136,400* Firebirds Wood 135, Fired Grill 230 Rock Bottom 132, Restaurant & Brewery 233 Gordon Biersch 131, Brewery Restaurant 235 Granite City 127, Food & Brewery 239 Grand Lux Cafe 124,200* Max & Erma s 123, Roosters 122,015 34

11 S SALES ($000) McDonald s 35,837, % 14, % 2,505* % Oak Brook, Ill. Starbucks 13,936,114* 12.8% 13, % 1,125* % Seattle Subway 11,500, % 27, % % Milford, Conn. Taco Bell 9,100,000* 9.6% 6, % 1,510* % Irvine, Calif. Burger King 9,000,000* 4.2% 7, % 1,267* % Miami Wendy s 8,777,400* 1.6% 5, % 1, % Dublin, Ohio Dunkin Donuts 7,624, % 8, % 923* % Canton, Mass. Chick-fil-A 6,291,000* 8.8% 1, % 3,280* % Atlanta Pizza Hut 5,510,000* 0.2% 7, % 704* % Plano, Texas Panera Bread/ 4,795, % 1, % 2,511* % Saint Louis Bread Co. St. Louis UNITS 2015 AUV ($000) TECHNOMIC The world s leading restaurant chain serves 69 million customers in more than 100 countries daily The trendsetting, tech-forward coffeehouse chain strives to be consumers' "third place" The largest restaurant concept by units, known for custom-built, better-for-you sandwiches Boundary-breaking Mexican chain that serves more than 35 million U.S. consumers each week Home of the made-to-order Whopper and other flame-grilled burgers A quick-service chain with fresh, never-frozen hamburgers that's aiming to make stores welcoming The multi-threat brand is a competitor in the baked goods, coffee and breakfast spaces A favorite among consumers, the Southern brand touts chicken sandwiches served with hospitality The No. 1 pizza chain trading on pies and pastas delivered fast and at a low price One of the original bakerycafe concepts, specializing in sandwiches, salads and breads baked fresh daily for all dayparts MENU SEGMENT KEY ASIAN ASIAN/ NOODLE BAKERY CAFE BURGER CHICKEN COFFEE CAFE FAMILY CASUAL FAMILY STYLE FROZEN DESSERTS ITALIAN/ PIZZA MEXICAN PIZZA SANDWICH SEAFOOD SPECIALTY FSR SPECIALTY LSR SPORTS BAR STEAK VARIED MENU For the complete ranking of 500 chains, go to com/top500. ED BY SALES, this list of the 250 leading chains offers a snapshot of the Technomic Top 500 Chain Restaurant Report. It provides both a bigpicture view of the industry as well as a deeper dive into the concepts that are setting its pace. Panera Bread The cafe concept that's spent the last year touting its move toward cleaner ingredients is the first fast casual to make the Top 10 list, replacing casualdining Applebee's. The bump in rank also led to the first year all Top 10 chains are limited service. June Restaurant Business 59

12 Applebee's 4,739, % 1, % 2, % Glendale, Calif. Domino's 4,708,587* 14.1% 5, % 917* % Ann Arbor, Mich. Chipotle Mexican Grill 4,419, % 1, % 2, % Denver Sonic Drive-In 4,413, % 3, % 1,253* % Oklahoma City KFC 4,001,490* 1.8% 4, % 926* % Louisville, Ky. Olive Garden 3,743, % % 4, % Orlando, Fla. Buffalo Wild Wings 3,567, % 1, % 3, % Minneapolis Dairy Queen/ Orange Julius 3,531, % 4, % % Minneapolis Little Caesars 3,500,000* 5.3% 4,250* 3.4% 837* % Detroit Arby's 3,450, % 3, % 1, % Atlanta Chili's Grill & Bar 3,405,547* -0.3% 1, % 2,835* % Jack in the Box 3,338,150* 4.6% 2, % 1,483* % San Diego IHOP 3,255, % 1, % 2, % Glendale, Calif. Papa John's 2,816,017* 5.3% 3, % 861* % Louisville, Ky. Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen 2,720,250* 11.8% 1, % 1,417* % Atlanta UNITS Classic American comfort food served in a friendly neighborhood atmosphere A top pizza chain, boasting madeto-order pizzas and efficient delivery via high-tech operations It transformed the fast-casual industry with customizable, madeto-order Mexican fare and a focus on sourcing and transparency The drive-in bills itself as The Ultimate Drink Stop with 1,000,000+ drink combinations The colonel mascot promotes its signature secret-recipe chicken prepared with 11 herbs and spices A leading Italian chain known for its value-conscious positioning, deals and hearty portions The energetic, sports-driven chain is known for bone-in and boneless wings and a range of sauces Well-known purveyor of frozen treats, drinks and quick-service favorites like Blizzards, burgers, chicken strips and fries A carryout-focused chain popular with value-conscious consumers for its Hot-N-Ready pizzas Its "We have the meats" tagline promotes signature roast beef along with other sandwiches This casual suburban staple combines American and Tex-Mex favorites The edgy burger chain that thinks outside of the box for menu and marketing innovation A pancake house boasting an extensive all-day breakfast menu at a low price point A national pizza chain promoting better ingredients, better pizza at affordable prices Its differentiator: Cajun-style hand-breaded fried chicken that s marinated for 12 hours, along with Southern-style sides and biscuits Arby's 23 The social media all-star is on the upward trajectory. It promoted and brought in new execs and added to its menu, helping boost same-store sales. 60 Restaurant Business June

13 Outback Steakhouse 2,566,000 3% % 3,403* % Tampa, Fla. Panda Express 2,550, % 1, % 1, % Rosemead, Calif. Denny's 2,548, % 1, % 1, % Spartanburg, S.C. Red Lobster 2,410,900* -0.6% % 3,620* % Orlando, Fla. Cracker Barrel Old Country Store 2,288, % % 3,607* % Lebanon, Tenn. Hardee's 2,164, % 1, % 1, % St. Louis Texas Roadhouse 2,145,385* 13.2% 473 8% 4,689* % Louisville, Ky. Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches 2,018,700* 17.2% 2,450* 16% 885* % Champaign, Ill. Whataburger 2,001, % % 2, % San Antonio The Cheesecake Factory 1,913, % % 10, % Calabasas Hills, Calif. Golden Corral 1,740, % % 3, % Raleigh, N.C. LongHorn Steakhouse 1,570, % % 3,200* % Orlando, Fla. TGI Fridays 1,567,000* -1.9% % 3,145* % Carrollton, Texas Red Robin Gourmet Burgers & Brews 1,501,080* 5.6% % 2,984* % Greenwood Village, Colo. Carl's Jr. 1,496, % 1, % 1, % Carpinteria, Calif. UNITS Offers a varied menu of steaks, chicken and ribs in an Australian outback-theme setting The Asian chain in many food courts is enhancing its menu through its Innovation Kitchen A 24-hour diner chain serving breakfast, lunch and dinner all day The largest casual seafood chain balances a range of affordable dishes in an upscale setting Popular for its roadside locales, it combines a casual restaurant with a retail gift shop in a rustic, downhome setting The fast-food burger chain from CKE Holdings is known for its signature Thickburgers Serving up big portions of hand-cut steaks and scratchmade Southern fare in a fun roadhouse setting Known for its high-quality submarine sandwiches made with premium ingredients and served freaky fast Signature made-to-order burgers prepared with 100% pure American beef A favorite among millennials, the chain is known for its extensive varied menu of 200+ scratchmade items and signature cheesecakes A leading chain of buffet restaurants, focusing on valuedriven pricing for all dayparts The Darden chain aims to offer an authentic Western steakhouse experience It's known as much for cocktails as it is for the varied menu in an energetic, bar-focused atmosphere The chain with a slew of new execs serves more than 20 gourmet burgers and bottomless fries Specializing in classic American charbroiled hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, fries and shakes 28 Denny's The low prices and all-day breakfast hours resonate with millennials, as does its move to use cage-free eggs by Restaurant Business June

14 Zaxby's 1,478,400* 17.6% % 2,100* % Athens, Ga. Five Guys Burgers and Fries 1,319, % 1, % 1, % Lorton, Va. Culver's 1,196, % % 2, % Prairie du Sac, Wisc. Ruby Tuesday 1,179,029* -3.3% 684* -1.3% 1,714* % Maryville, Tenn. Bojangles' Famous Chicken 'N Biscuits 1,150, % % 1, % Charlotte, N.C. Steak 'n Shake 1,035,637* 7.4% 557 3% 1,941* % San Antonio Waffle House 1,030,700* 4.1% 1,805* 1.4% 575* % Norcross, Ga. Bob Evans 946, % % 1,702* % New Albany, Ohio BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse 919, % % 5,624* % Huntington Beach, Calif. P.F. Chang's China Bistro 892,300 1% % 4, % Scottsdale, Ariz, Papa Murphy's Pizza 880, % 1, % % Vancouver, Wash. Church's Chicken 855,800* -0.6% 1,145* -2% 740* % Atlanta Hooters 829,300* -0.6% % 2,390* % Atlanta Wingstop 768, % % 1,055* % UNITS El Pollo Loco 753,340* 4.2% % 1, % Costa Mesa, Calif. Made-to-order chicken fingers paired with dipping sauces in a fun environment No-frills menu of signature burgers customizable with any combo of 15 free toppings Hamburgers and frozen custard featuring Midwest beef and Wisconsin dairy The chain is racing to reclaim its core audience with a menu revamp that includes its salad bar Breakfast-focused concept known for its signature chicken, biscuits and sweet tea Signature Steakburger and handdipped shakes served in a 24-hour diner atmosphere Short-order breakfast-focused fare served in a laid-back, Southern-inspired locale The family-friendly chain serves farm-fresh American classics with a country vibe It's slinging a 100-plus-item menu and handcrafted beer in a friendly pub atmosphere Combines a traditional Chinese menu with a sophisticated, Western-style bistro setting Take-and-bake pizza concept targeting value-seeking families pressed for time Simple, value-priced Southern comfort food in a no-frills atmosphere A male-focused concept specializing in hot wings served in a sports bar Aviation-theme restaurant specializing in made-to-order Buffalo-style chicken wings Positioned as a healthy alternative to QSRs with secret-recipe chicken and fresh salsa bars Zaxby's The chicken chain has won two of the last Technomic Consumers' Choice Awards for craveability and its unique menu items. 64 Restaurant Business June

15 Qdoba Mexican Eats 744,943* 8.9% % 1,140* % Lakewood, Colo. California Pizza Kitchen 742,500* 4% % 3,320* % Playa Vista, Calif. Carrabba's Italian Grill 729, % % 2,976* % Tampa, Fla. Krispy Kreme 708,143* 7.4% % 2,463* % Winston-Salem, N.C. Logan's Roadhouse 707,000* -0.8% 256* -1.9% 2,456* % Nashville Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen 706,900* 5.8% 168 7% 4,350* % Irving, Texas Del Taco 700, % % 1, % Lake Forest, Calif. Jersey Mike's Subs 675, % 1, % 709* % Manasquan, N.J. Tim Hortons 668,960* 6.0% 650* 0.2% 1,030* % Dublin, Ohio Jason's Deli 654,300* 6.0% % 2,665* % Beaumont, Texas Firehouse Subs 648, % % % Jacksonville, Fla. Perkins Restaurant & Bakery 644, % % 1, % Memphis, Tenn. Moe's Southwest Grill 638, % % 1, % Atlanta UNITS Bonefish Grill 635, % % 3,017* % Tampa, Fla. In-N-Out Burger 614,500* 5.1% 313 4% 2,000* % Irvine, Calif. Parent Jack in the Box rebranded the exhibition-style Mexican fast casual for a fresh feel The nontraditional menu of California-style pizzas showcases global flavors and trendy toppings The chain from Bloomin' Brands serves handmade Italian dishes from a lively exhibition kitchen Old-fashioned doughnut shop making doughnuts on an assembly line in view of onlookers 50 s-style American roadhouse specializing in hand-cut aged steaks The chain rebranded in 2015 to further promote its affordable, made-from-scratch fare Under part-ownership of the Levy family, the Mexican chain added a number of affordable menu items The expanding hot and cold sub shop serves sandwiches made with fresh-sliced meats and cheeses An iconic Canadian chain known for its coffee, specialty drinks and signature TImbits Delicatessen concept positioned as part deli, part family restaurant that continues to build its menu Firehouse-theme restaurants serving steam-heated hearty subs American homestyle entrees and housemade bakery items and desserts with 24-hour service Serving customizable Southwest fare in a quirky, fun fast-casual environment Capitalizing on the niche between high-end and value-priced seafood chains California burger joint with a cultlike following that's known for its not-so-secret menu Qdoba Mexican Eats The chain rebranded in October with a new name and logo, new dishes and a revamped atmosphere. 66 Restaurant Business June

16 Boston Market 610,000* 0.6% % 1,345* % Golden, Colo. Ruth's Chris Steak House 592,000* 6.4% % 4,750* % Winter Park, Fla. Baskin-Robbins 587, % 2, % 234* % Canton, Mass. Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers 567, % % 2, % Baton Rouge, La. Long John Silver's 559,700* -5.3% 1,060* -6.6% 510* % Louisville, Ky. White Castle 547, % % 1, % Columbus, Ohio McAlister's Deli 547, % % 1, % Ridgeland, Miss. Jamba Juice 539,000* 2.1% % 663* % Emeryville, Calif. Captain D's Seafood Kitchen 531, % % % Nashville O'Charley's 525, % % 2, % Nashville Auntie Anne's 522, % 1, % % Lancaster, Penn. Dickey's Barbecue Pit 519,600* 21.9% % 1,035* % Noodles & Company 517, % % 1, % Broomfield, Colo. Einstein Bros. Bagels 511,900* 2.3% % 695* % Lakewood, Colo. Checkers Drive-In Restaurants 508,632* 3.4% % 980* % Tampa, Fla. UNITS The homestyle chain launched a health-focused ad taking a stance against fried, in favor of "all-good" Elegant steakhouse specializing in quality steaks broiled in a 1,800-degree oven The dessert shop, owned by Dunkin Brands, is known for its large variety of ice cream treats An on-trend chain that is popular among the younger demographic for made-to-order chicken tenders and dipping sauces One of the largest quick-service seafood chains; it bought back 10 units for product testing in Billing itself as the original hamburger chain, it's famous for its miniature slider burgers Made-to-order deli fare in a relaxed Southern atmosphere; operated by Focus Brands The smoothie chain, which cobranded with Bruegger's Bagels, launched order-ahead via its app Menuing hand-battered fish and seafood at value prices, including several meal deals added in Varied-menu concept from American Blue Ribbon Holdings attracting value-conscious diners Purveyor of sweet and savory soft pretzels made with proprietary recipes Traditional barbecue fare made with secret family recipes for lunch and dinner Asian, Mediterranean and American noodle dishes in a fastpaced environment Offers bagels, coffee and sandwiches for breakfast and lunch The Americana drive-thru chain and sister concept Rally's serve up made-to-order burgers Dickey's 84 Barbecue Pit The barbecue leader rolled out a smallerfootprint prototype that's leaner, simpler and more focused. 68 Restaurant Business June

17 Old Country Buffet/ HomeTown Buffet 476,600* -9.4% 160* -17.1% 2,700* % Greer, S.C. Yard House 473, % % 8, % Irvine, Calif. Famous Dave's 457,330* -7.2% % 2,527* % Minnetonka, Minn. Cicis 430,000* -2.6% % 957* % Coppell, Texas Round Table Pizza 424, % % % Concord, Calif. Krystal Company 421, % % 1, % Dunwoody, Ga. Marco's Pizza 417, % % % Toledo, Ohio Joe's Crab Shack 414, % % 3, % Houston Maggiano's Little Italy 401, % % 8, % Dave & Buster's 401, % % 5,276* % The Capital Grille 397, % % 7, % Orlando, Fla. Corner Bakery Cafe 380, % % 2, % Potbelly Sandwich Shop 379,835* 14.2% % 1,017* % Chicago Pollo Tropical 368, % % 2, % Miami Cold Stone Creamery 365,000* -0.4% 926-2% 390* % Scottsdale, Ariz. UNITS The parent of this buffet chain, Ovation Brands, has been closing stores and filed for bankruptcy Darden's upscale brewpub boasts a menu with modern twists in a sleek, contemporary atmosphere A shack complete with a downhome backyard barbecue menu and a Southern feel The endless pizza, pasta, salad, soup and dessert buffet revamped with a Beyond pizza tagline Self-proclaimed maker of The Last Honest Pizza that touts its fresh, made-from-scratch dough Known for small, square burgers and other fast-food favorites served in the Southeast Serves pizzas prepared using a proprietary sauce, a never-frozen cheese blend and fresh dough Beach-theme seafood chain specializing in a variety of crab and other shellfish dishes Designed to evoke the spirit of Italian dining, it has a warm atmosphere and traditional fare Offers adults a place to play, with American fare, a full bar, arcade games and billiards Darden's upscale, elegant steakhouse attracting professional clientele Modeled after European cafes, the bakery offers high-quality bistro fare throughout the day Known for toasted subs, malts and smoothies, served in a vintagestyle sandwich shop Differentiates itself from other chicken chains with tropical flavors Energetic staff hand-mix ice cream treats to order on cooled marble counters Dave & Buster's The eatertainment spot announced that it'll open its largest store to date in Las Vegas, its first in the area. 70 Restaurant Business June

18 Chuck E. Cheese's 364,294* -0.2% % 664* % Irving, Texas Au Bon Pain 363, % % 1,740* % Boston On The Border 361, % % 2, % Mexican Grill & Cantina Irving, Texas Village Inn 359, % % 1, % Denver Taco John's 358, % % % Cheyenne, Wyo. Pei Wei Asian Diner 350, % 213 6% 1, % Scottsdale, Ariz. Hungry Howie's Pizza 342, % % % Madison Heights, Mich. Jet's Pizza 339,500* 13.4% % 925* % Sterling Heights, Mich. Quiznos 338,900* -23.9% 820* -18% 370* % Denver Miller's Ale House 338,315* 5.2% % 4,765* % Jupiter, Fla. Charleys Philly Steaks 334, % % % Columbus, Ohio Taco Cabana 331,431* 4.9% % 1, % Addison, Texas Big Boy 330,400* -1.9% 220* -2.2% 1,485* % Warren, Mich. Schlotzsky's 319, % % % Austin, Texas Braum's Ice Cream & Dairy Stores 317,800* 0.6% % 1,135* % Oklahoma City Benihana 312, % % 4, % Doral, Fla. Friendly's 310,700* -19.1% 265* -5.4% 1,140* % Wilbraham, Mass. Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen 309,700* 4% % 8,850* % Houston Smashburger 306, % % 1, % Denver 72 Restaurant Business June UNITS Kid-focused eatery with arcade games and a play place A European-inspired chain with artisanal breads, fresh-baked goods and gourmet sandwiches The Tex-Mex chain is trying to win back families by revamping its kids menu A family-friendly chain specializing in American homestyle favorites and signature pizzas Adds a West-Mex flare to its affordable tacos, burritos and signature Potatoes Olés The fast-casual sibling of P.F. Chang's serves made-to-order Pan- Asian favorites in a quick setting A carryout- and delivery-focused pizza chain known for its flavored crusts The chain is known for thick, square-shaped pizzas; beer and wine at some units Specializes in made-to-order toasted subs, soups and salads; it launched a fast-casual prototype Boasts high-quality American favorites in a neighborhood tavern meets sports bar atmosphere Serves grilled-to-order subs and 100% USDA Choice steak sandwiches in a welcoming and relaxed setting Offers housemade tortillas, salsas and other Mexican favorites at affordable prices A diner-style chain labeling itself home of the original doubledecker cheeseburger Serves made-to-order sandwiches and pizzas for lunch and dinner in a quirky, modern deli An old-fashioned frozen dessert chain boasting that it s the only major U.S. ice cream chain to milk its own cows A hibachi steakhouse chain offering Japanese fare prepared exhibition-style at guests' tables An old-fashioned ice cream shop and family restaurant owned by Sun Capital Partners The Pappas chain boasts freshfrom-the-boat, Louisiana-style seafood in a festive atmosphere Known for its made-to-order burgers that are smashed onto a grill, then seasoned and seared

19 Souplantation & Sweet Tomatoes 304, % % 2, % San Diego Hard Rock Cafe 300,500* 2.5% % 6,395* % Orlando, Fla. Godfather's Pizza 299,200* -5.4% 550* -6.8% % Omaha, Neb. Romano's Macaroni Grill 298,400* -12.2% % 1,970* % Ninety Nine Restaurants 293, % 105 1% 2, % Nashville Twin Peaks 291,100* 21.6% % 4, % Chuy's 287, % % 4,451* % Austin, Texas Uno Pizzeria & Grill 280,400* -4.7% % 2,100* % Boston Fleming's Prime 280, % % 4,242* % Steakhouse & Wine Bar Newport Beach, Calif. Portillo's 275,300* 5.0% % 6,970* % Oak Brook, Ill. Morton's The Steakhouse 268,300* -0.1% % 3,975* % Houston Rally's Hamburgers 267,465* 1.3% % 901* % Tampa, Fla. Freddy's Frozen 267, % % 1, % Custard & Steakburgers Wichita, Kansas Peet's Coffee & Tea 267,000* 4.1% % 1,130* % Emeryville, Calif. Brio Tuscan Grille 261, % % 4, % Columbus, Ohio Tropical Smoothie Cafe 261, % % % Atlanta Caribou Coffee 256,700* -2.6% 415* 3.8% 630* % Minneapolis UNITS Fuddruckers 253,000* -1.2% % 1,450* % Houston A family-casual buffet chain operating as Souplantation in Southern California and Sweet Tomatoes in other areas Known for American regional favorites in a lively, rock musictheme setting A pizza chain named after "The Godfather" movie, specializing in "abundantly topped" pizzas Cooks up classic Italian fare in an exhibition kitchen, with an emphasis on hospitable service Strives to be a neighborhood pub with American food and down-toearth prices; also operates under the 99 Restaurants banner Offers a menu of bar fare, cold beers and scenic views of its racy servers and mountain-lodge theme Fresh and moderately priced Tex- Mex fare in a retro Elvis Presleytheme atmosphere A family-friendly chain specializing in Chicago-style deep-dish pizzas; also has fast-casual and QSR units The upscale chain focuses on ambiance as well as offering quality steaks and 100 wines by the glass Known for Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef and other local favorites, and its retro vibe Touts a classic steakhouse experience with quality steaks, fresh seafood, decadent desserts and superior service The largest double drive-thru chain in the U.S., serving all- American fare A chain that places equal emphasis on its signature frozen custard and made-to-order steakburgers Known for artisan, small-batch coffees, the chain played to trends by adding several iced beverages The contemporary Italian chain and sister to Bravo specializes in Tuscan-style favorites A health-minded concept boasting a variety of smoothies made with fresh, natural and high-quality ingredients Serves up gourmet coffees and handcrafted specialty drinks in a lodge-inspired setting Boasts the world s greatest hamburgers that are customizable via self-serve toppings bars 74 Restaurant Business June

20 Texas de Brazil Churrascaria 252,800* 10.2% % 7,900* % The Habit Burger Grill 251,366* 42.5% % 1, % Irvine, Calif. Sbarro 250,900* -10.3% 305* -16.2% 750* % Melville, N.Y. Old Chicago Pizza& Taproom 249, % 103 4% 2, % Chattanooga, Tenn. Sonny's BBQ 249,000* -0.1% % 2,025* % Winter Park, Fla. McCormick & Schmick's 246,900* -6.0% % 4,015* % Houston Smoothie King 244,900* 8% 650* 10.2% 395* % Metairie, La. Seasons , % % 5, % Orlando, Fla. Wienerschnitzel 241, % % % Irvine, Calif. Bar Louie 239, % % 2, % Addison, Texas Sizzler 238, % % 1, % Mission Viejo, Calif. UNITS Mimi's Cafe 237,300* -13.9% % 2,260* % Huddle House 237, % % % Atlanta Ryan's 234,300* -15.2% 90* -26.8% 2,200* % Eagan, Minn. Buca di Beppo 233,800* 4.1% % 2,270* % Orlando, Fla. Saltgrass Steak House 232,700* 4.9% % 4,390* % Houston Steakhouse chain with a prix-fixe, all-you-can-eat Brazilian-style menu Popular fast casual known for its signature Charburgers and a focus on fresh, premium ingredients Cafeteria-style chain serving premade pizza by the slice and other Italian favorites Specializing in authentic Chicagostyle pizza and a selection of more than 100 global beers A neighborhood joint offering slow-smoked barbecue and generous portions Boasting a range of premium seafood, with a menu printed twice daily to reflect the day s fresh, seasonal offerings Made-to-order smoothies with real fruit, fresh juices and protein powders and vitamins Incorporates fresh, local ingredients that change four times per year A quirky concept specializing in premium hot dogs and other fare typically found at hot dog stands Offers a varied menu of barfriendly foods and cocktails with an emphasis on service A family-oriented chain known for its menu of American favorites and signature salad bar A varied-menu chain inspired by the neighborhood bistros of Paris and New Orleans Offering cooked-to-order homestyle favorites for Any Meal. Any Time A buffet chain cooking steaks, chicken, fish and ribs to order over an open flame Hearty portions of Italian cuisine appealing to large parties dining out for special occasions Combines a historic Texas atmosphere with a menu of Old Southwest favorites Seasons 52 Named a favorite chain by millennials this year, the Darden concept scores big for its rotating menu. 76 Restaurant Business June

21 Luby's 231,300* 0.2% % 2,474* % Houston Zoës Kitchen 230, % % 1,549* % Plano, Texas Pizza Ranch 228,618 4% % 1, % Orange City, Iowa Fazoli's 228, % % 1, % Lexington, Ky. Sarku Japan 226,500* 0.4% 235* -2.1% 955* % New York City Fogo de Chao 223,243* 11.7% 29* 16% 8,268* % Rubio's 221,973 5% % 1, % Carlsbad, Calif. Rainforest Cafe 219,700* -3.6% % 9,550* % Houston Shoney's 219,200* -7.2% % 1,500* % Nashville Claim Jumper 219,000* 4.3% % 5,090* % Houston Which Wich Superior Sandwiches 214,400* 17.9% % 610* % Beef 'O' Brady's 211,900* 0.0% 198-1% 1,065* % Tampa, Fla. Legal Sea Foods 211, % % 6,050* % Boston Houlihan's 209, % % 2, % Leawood, Kan. UNITS Bruegger's Bagels 209,000* -1.3% 280* -2.4% 735* % Burlington, Vt. Bubba Gump Shrimp 208,000* -0.3% % 7,300* % Co. Restaurant & Market Houston A buffet-style chain promising fare that tastes like Texas in a setting that feels like home Serving housemade meals featuring fresh ingredients and healthy preparations Family-friendly chain offering customizable and signature pizzas as well as an expansive daily buffet Fresh pastas, pizzas, sandwiches and salads appealing to families as well as budget-minded diners A Japanese chain specializing in dishes prepared teppanyaki-style and sushi Unlimited helpings of skewered meats and sides for a fixed price in a modern Brazilian steakhouse Home to fresh cuisine inspired by the Gulf Coast of Baja, Mexico, including signature fish tacos Offering patrons A Wild Place to Shop and Eat in a simulated rainforest The family-style chain recently announced it will switch to cagefree eggs by 2025 Varied menu of housemade fare, from steak to pizza, in a comfortable and rustic setting Customers check off their toppings on preprinted menus that double as the sandwich bag A family-friendly, traditional casual-dining pub concept with a fun neighborhood atmosphere An upscale concept focused on serving top of the catch seafood Strives to be an atypical American casual-dining chain with trendy messaging Serving about 30 varieties of New York-style bagels, plus sandwiches, soups and salads Seafood and Southern-style restaurant inspired by the 1994 movie Forrest Gump Zoës Kitchen The Mediterranean fast casual has focused on building customer engagement through a new mobile app. 78 Restaurant Business June

22 Baja Fresh Mexican Grill 206,700* -8.7% % 1,205* % Irvine, Calif. Johnny Rockets 205,900* -4.6% % 1,045* % Aliso Viejo, Calif. Bahama Breeze Island Grille 203,800* -0.6% % 5,600* % Orlando, Fla. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf 200,900* 1.1% % 645* % Los Angeles Shake Shack 199, % % 4, % New York City The Melting Pot 198,700* -0.2% % 1,540* % Tampa, Fla. Black Bear Diner 197,676 18% % 2, % Redding, Calif. Cafe Rio Mexican Grill 196,200* 16.9% % 2,350* % Salt Lake City, Utah Bertucci's 191,800* -0.5% % 2,205* % Northborough, Mass. Peter Piper Pizza 190,500* 2.4% % 2,025* % Phoenix Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery 187,600* 5.5% % 2,050* % Tempe, Ariz. Lucille's 185,300* 11.8% % 9,040* % Smokehouse Bar-B-Que Signal Hill, Calif. Taco Bueno 185,000* -0.6% % 1,060* % Farmers Branch, Texas Donatos Pizza 183, % % 1, % Columbus, Ohio Newk's Eatery 183, % % 2, % Jackson, Miss. UNITS Mastro's Restaurants 183,100* 9.8% % 14,650* % Houston Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill 182,800* 2.6% % 2,770* % Orlando, Fla. Le Pain Quotidien 182,700* 13.5% 88 10% 2,175* % New York City A Mexican chain encouraging patrons to Eat Well, Live Fresh with its made-to-order Mexican fare Offering The Original Hamburger and other classic diner fare in a retro setting Designed to create a Caribbean escape by offering made-fromscratch island cuisine, live music and tropical drinks The oldest and largest privately held chain of specialty coffee and tea stores in the U.S. Danny Meyer's modern-day roadside burger stand that uses the finest ingredients A polished, interactive experience built around multi-course fondue meals Offering the feel of a smalltown mom-and-pop shop with affordable country-style favorites Specializing in fare inspired by Mexico s Rio Grande region, Southern Texas and New Mexico Tuscan-style Italian fare and brick-oven specialties in a relaxed setting A family-focused chain of pizzerias that features kid-friendly games and entertainment Beer, pub food, sports and racy Kilt Tilter servers and bartenders, all in a high-energy British-Irish pub atmosphere Offering slow-smoked meats flavored with proprietary rubs and sauces in a Southern farmhouse-style setting Broad menu of traditional Mexican favorites served in a friendly environment A family-owned chain specializing in handmade pizzas and stromboli Soups, salads and more from the team that originally created McAlister's Deli Operating under the Mastro s Steakhouse and Mastro s Ocean Club banners, it serves steaks and seafood in an elegant setting Specializing in hickory-smoked barbecue dishes in an upbeat, family-friendly environment A European-style bakery chain offering simple yet elegant fare prepared with organic ingredients 80 Restaurant Business June

23 Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville 182,000* 6.6% % 11,030* % Laguna Niguel, Calif. Dutch Bros. Coffee 181, % % % Grants Pass, Ore. A&W All-American Food 180,100* -3.2% % 275* % Lexington, Ky. Yogurtland 180,000* 12.5% % 665* % Irvine, Calif. Penn Station East Coast Subs 176,700* 6.5% % 620* % Milford, Ohio Menchie's Frozen Yogurt 174,200* 15.6% 390* 16.1% 480* % Encino, Calif. Freebirds World Burrito 168,700* -2.1% % 1,670* % Austin, Texas Eat'n Park 167, % % 2, % Homestead, Penn. Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks 166,500* 2.5% % 3,055* % Carlsbad, Calif. La Madeleine 165,400* 9.7% % 2,235* % Country French Cafe Johnny Carino's 164, % % 2, % Austin, Texas Mellow Mushroom 162,900* 5.2% % 975* % Atlanta UNITS Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House 161, % % 14, % Southlake, Texas Bravo Cucina Italiana 160, % % 3, % Columbus, Ohio Shari's Cafe and Pies 160,500* -0.4% 96-2% 1,655* % Beaverton, Ore. Lively restaurant, bar and music venue from singer Jimmy Buffet, known for its Caribbean-inspired menu and extensive margarita list Drive-thru coffee cafes offering affordable, premium coffees and speedy service Burger-joint fare along with signature A&W Root Beer floats in a nostalgic and casual atmosphere Specializes in customizable froyo with a variety of toppings A sub chain known for using quality steak, fresh-cut potatoes fried in peanut oil and handsqueezed lemonade A health-focused chain offering self-serve, low-fat frozen yogurt in more than 100 rotating flavors with 60 toppings Popular among college students and young adults for its customizable Mexican fare and energetic atmosphere A family- and community-oriented concept with a focus on affordable quality food served 24 hours a day Featuring island-inspired fare in an tropical beach-theme setting An upscale chain specializing in high-quality French fare and baked goods Offers more than 20 pasta options at moderate prices in a familyfriendly setting Funky, psychedelic chain serving wood-fired pizzas Serving high-quality steaks and fresh seafood in a sophisticated, elegant atmosphere This sister concept to Brio Tuscan Grille pairs Tuscan-style Italian fare with white tablecloth service A Pacific Northwest chain serving all-day breakfast and a range of pies 24 hours a day 190 Mellow Mushroom 199 The growing pizza chain aims to be hyperregional, even tapping employees this year to create dishes for individual stores. 82 Restaurant Business June

24 First Watch 158,300* 10.4% % 1,190* % University Park, Fla. Quaker Steak & Lube 54,000* -3.1% % 2,725* % Sharon, Penn. Pappasito's Cantina 153,000* 5.9% % 6,800* % Houston J. Alexander's 151,600* 0.8% % 4,890* % Nashville Ponderosa/Bonanza 150, % % 1, % Plano, Texas Black Angus Steakhouse 150,200* 3.1% % 3,300* % Los Altos, Calif. Togo's Sandwiches 149, % % % San Jose, Calif. Uncle Julio's 149,600* 13.6% % 6,650* % Irving, Texas Villa Fresh Italian Kitchen 148, % % % Morristown, N.J. The Original Pancake House 148,500* 4.1% 130* 3.2% 1,160* % Portland, Ore. Marie Callender's Restaurant & Bakery 148, % % 2, % Mission Viejo, Calif. UNITS Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurants 147, % % 8, % Countryside, Ill. Pret a Manger 147,600* 8.3% % 2,400* % New York City LaRosa's Pizzeria 145, % % 2, % Cincinnati Papa Gino's Pizzeria 144, % % % Dedham, Mass. Country Pride Restaurant 143,300* 0.0% 148* -0.7% 965* % Westlake, Ohio One of the largest breakfast-andlunch chains, marketing itself as the daytime cafe A chain of motorsports-theme restaurants designed to attract families, young adults and couples with its specialty Buffalo wings A Pappas family chain serving authentic Tex-Mex cuisine in a fiesta-like atmosphere Boasting chef-prepared, American-style dishes with a twist in a casual, upscale setting A dual-branded family-casual chain known for its flame-grilled steak, chicken and seafood dinners Strives to offer a traditional steakhouse experience at an affordable price Generously portioned, made-toorder sandwiches on housemade bread Mexican cuisine with an emphasis on marinated and mesquite-grilled meats in large portions Boasting Italian-inspired fare made with never-frozen dough, housemade sauces and fresh produce Offering breakfast and lunch fare featuring high-quality ingredients, served in a farmhouse-style setting Popular among seniors and families for its classic American fare and signature pies Offering a varied menu of modern American dishes, designed to complement its handcrafted, barrel-aged wines made on-site A U.K. chain known for its nutritious, preservative-free packaged fare made fresh daily A pizza chain with both full- and limited-service operations offering a variety of items for delivery Specialty pizzas and high-quality Italian fare in a casual atmosphere Catering to travelers with its homestyle meals and breakfast served all day First Watch The breakfast-and-lunch spot has been aggressive in buying up other brands to convert to its stores. 84 Restaurant Business June