Seasons 52, a division of Darden Restaurants Inc., nabs the No. 9 spot on the list, on a 22.2 percent year-over-year increase in systemwide sales. That performance was largely driven by two years of strong new-unit growth: 13.2 percent in the Latest Year and 22.6 percent in the Preceding Year. However, the chain did manage to boost its estimated sales per unit by 4.1 percent in the Latest Year, reversing a 2.9 percent decline a year earlier. Seasons 52 is among a growing class of upscale casual chains that have resonated with consumers as more traditional casual-dining chains struggled. The chain taps into growing interest in health and nutrition with a chef-inspired, seasonal menu in which no dish has more than 475 calories.

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Segment: Casual Dining
Sales growth: 22.2%
Total sales: $239.5 million
Sales rank: 147
Total units: 43 (+13.2%)
ESPU: $5.9 million (+4.1%)

As a Brazilian steakhouse concept in which servers wander from table to table offering patrons a variety of proteins right off the roasting skewer, Fogo de Chão does not have a large number of direct competitors in this country, giving it an edge in negotiating for desirable sites or terms with landlords also looking to differentiate. It doesn’t hurt Fogo de Chão’s sales growth ambitions that the meat-centric brand boosted its estimated sales per unit by 7.0 percent in the Latest Year, to $8.5 million, on top of 13.6-percent and 15.8-percent growth in United States units in the Latest and Preceding Years, respectively.

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Segment: Casual Dining
Sales growth: 22.6%
Total sales: $199.1 million
Sales rank: 176
Total units: 25 (+13.6%)
ESPU: $8.5 million (+7%)

Tropical Smoothie Café worked its way onto the top 10 growth list with a fairly balanced approach to sales expansion. It boosted Latest- and Preceding-Year estimated sales per unit by 10.1 percent and 4.4 percent respectively, while bumping up its Latest-Year domestic unit count by 14.2 percent and its Preceding-Year store base by 9.4 percent. With only one company location as of the end of the Latest Year, the brand’s fate is largely tied to that of its franchisees and their ability to execute the concept and take advantage of multiple dining trends: snacking, more healthful fare and exotic flavor combinations.

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Segment: Beverage-Snack
Sales growth: 23.2%
Total sales: $209.1 million
Sales rank: 169
Total units: 411 (+14.2%)
ESPU: $542,400 (+10.1%)

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, which also was a top 10 fastest-growing chain in the 2014 report, had another strong Second 100 showing, posting year-over-year sales growth of 36.9 percent in the Latest Year, on top of 36.8 percent growth a year earlier. Even though its unit growth slowed, from 37.6 percent in the Preceding Year to 23.5 percent in the Latest Year, that increase represented 98 new units for the chain. Over a two-year period, the chain added 212 units to end the Latest Year at 515 units. Barbecue chains often struggle to expand because of the many distinct regional traditions, but Dickey’s has gained a foothold nationwide with a menu that honors tradition — meats are smoked on-site and served with hearty sides — while also serving salads, stuffed baked potatoes and ice cream.

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Segment: Limited Service/Barbecue
Sales growth: 36.9%
Total sales: $355 million
Sales rank: 106
Total units: 515 (+23.5%)
ESPU: $761,800 (+5.8%)

Twin Peaks, the fastest-growing chain in last year’s Second 100 report, continued its growth path in the Latest Year, recording a 37.2 percent rate of sales growth with the help of Latest- and Preceding-Year growth in U.S. units of 37 percent and 64.3 percent, respectively. It also had top-line growth that was aided by its relatively high estimated sales per unit of $4.2 million, the 19th highest estimated sales per unit of any Second 100 chain. The casual-dining concept upscale tavern fare and an extensive selection of draft beers served at 29-degrees in frozen mugs. In mid-2014, Twin Peaks began producing its own beers at an in-house brewery, which executives said would help reinforce the brand’s reputation as a beer specialist and boost sales and profitability.

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Segment: Casual Dining
Sales growth: 37.2%
Total sales: $226.8 million
Sales rank: 154
Total units: 63 (+37%)
ESPU: $4.2 million (+6.9%)

Better-burger chain Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers clocks in at No. 4 among the Second 100 fast growers this year, after taking the No. 2 growth spot in the 2014 Second 100 report. It had year-over-year sales growth of 38.4 percent in the Latest Year, which follows 46.5 percent in the Preceding Year. Sales benefitted heavily from unit expansion —  29.8 percent year-over-year unit growth in the Latest Year, on top of 25.3 percent a year earlier, to end the Latest Year at 135 restaurants — but the chain also had a solid estimated sales per unit gain of 8.3 percent in the Latest Year, the third highest in the Limited Service/Burger segment.

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Segment: Limited Service/Burger
Sales growth: 38.4%
Total sales: $200.6 million
Sales rank: 175
Total units: 135 (+29.8%)
ESPU: $1.7 million (+8.3%)

Another Second 100 newcomer, Zoës Kitchen, joins the ranks of fastest-growing chains with a 40.7 percent gain in Latest-Year systemwide sales, following 38.9 percent growth a year earlier. Much of that growth can be credited to unit growth of 29.4 percent and 36 percent in the Latest and Preceding Years, respectively. The chain led Limited Service/Specialty chains in sales growth, unit growth and growth in estimated sales per unit. The chain has carved out a niche in the crowded fast-casual segment with a menu of Mediterranean classics like hummus, pita sandwiches and salads and is riding a wave of consumer interest in ethnic cuisines and fresh, healthful dishes. CEO Kevin Miles told NRN recently that the chain plans continued slow, steady growth, primarily in existing markets.

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Segment: Limited Service/Mediterranean
Sales growth: 40.7%
Total sales: $180.8 million
Sales rank: 182
Total units: 132 (+29.4%)
ESPU: $1.5 million (+6.4%)

Marco’s Pizza’s earned the No. 2 spot among the 10 fastest growers with 41.3 percent year-over-year sales growth, driven largely by two consecutive years of double-digit unit growth — 32.3 percent in the Latest Year on top of 30.8 percent in the Preceding Year. The fully-franchised chain added 141 net new restaurants in the Latest Year, more than any other Second 100 chain. It also posted a 7.3 percent increase in estimated sales per unit. The delivery and takeout chain aims to offer consumers an alternative to the large national pizza chains by emphasizing value and authentic Italian ingredients, including dough made in the stores daily.

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Segment: Pizza
Sales growth: 41.3%
Total sales: $337.7 million
Sales rank: 115
Total units: 578 (+32.3%)
ESPU: $665,400 (+7.3%)

Newcomer The Habit Burger Grill made a strong Second 100 debut, topping the list of fastest-growing chains with 45.9 percent growth in its U.S. systemwide foodservice sales in the Latest Year. That follows growth of 43 percent a year earlier. A key driver of that growth was new-unit development — the chain added 47 restaurants over a two-year period to end the Latest Year with 110 domestic locations — but also managed to improve its estimated sales per unit. After a successful IPO late last year, the 45-year old better burger chain is looking to grow, with a new franchising program and on eye on such new markets as New Jersey; Washington, D.C., Las Vegas; and Seattle.

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Segment: Limited Service/Burger
Sales growth: 45.9%
Total sales: $175.7 million
Sales rank: 185
Total units: 110 (+29.4%)
ESPU: $1.8 million (+10.8%)