Restaurants are not so easily classified simply as chains or independents. After all, what do you call a James Beard-nominated concept with multiple locations?
This is a question particularly relevant for America’s biggest restaurant groups. These organizations are made up of several concepts, generally upscale or fine-dining brands that reflect the creativity and quality one would expect from an independent restaurant. Still, collectively these groups operate at the scale of major chain.
Just look at Thompson Hospitality: The group based primarily in Washington, D.C., claims to be doing close to $1 billion in annual revenue across its 67 locations. That’s on par with the 520-plus-unit McAlister’s Deli, the 57th largest restaurant chain in America according to NRN’s Top 500.
To discover those restaurant groups across the U.S. that are blending the creative spirit of independents with the operational and financial scale of chains, NRN partnered with Technomic for this look at the 25 largest restaurant groups by unit count.
Click through the gallery to meet these companies.