The 10 Fastest-Growing Chains With Sales Over $200 Million

Ranked by percentage increase in sales in 2009 vs. 2008

March 26, 2010

Rank

Chain

2009 U.S. Sales ($MM)

% Sales Change

% Unit Change

1

Five Guys Burgers and Fries

$453 *

50%

52%

2

Tim Hortons

446

23

8

3

Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar

1,496

22

16

4

Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwich Shop

602 *

21

18

5

Wingstop

307

20

9

6

Noodles & Company

230

15

13

7

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse

430

14

12

8

Chipotle Mexican Grill

1,517

14

14

9

Firehouse Subs

206

10

5

10

Potbelly Sandwich Works

246 *

10

4

Total

$5,933

19%

16%

*Technomic estimate

In total, the top 10 fastest-growing chains?? sales accounted for $5.9 billion, a 19 percent increase over 2008. Unit counts grew 16 percent.

While the Top 500 chains posted a decline in sales in the aggregate, individual results varied dramatically with sales ranging from Yogurtland??s 157.7 percent growth to Bennigan??s Grill & Tavern??s 71.8 percent estimated sales decline. Only 40 percent of the Top 500 restaurant chains posted at least nominal sales increases; 283 of these chains suffered sales declines in 2009 compared to only 213 in 2008. Both winners and losers appeared in each segment and menu category. These widely mixed results demonstrate the overall competitiveness of the industry and the need for suppliers and operators to carefully identify and focus on the winners.

International performance by the Top 500 restaurant chains significantly outperformed their domestic counterpart growth in 2009. International sales (up 3.3 percent) outpaced U.S. sales (down 0.8 percent); international unit growth was also up 5.2 percent versus 0.3 percent for U.S. units.

The Technomic Top 500 Chain Restaurant Report provides Technomic??s exclusive 5-year sales forecast by menu category, update on franchise and international activity, 5-, 10- and 20-year trend analyses, outlook for the future, market share by menu category, and much more.

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