While best known for its eponymous Jollibee chain, the Philippines’ leading foodservice operator Jollibee Foods Corp. has long benefited from a multibranded approach. The company operates Chinese food, bakery, and pizza concepts, among others, while also controlling a majority stake in the Burger King franchise in the Philippines. The company has aggressively pursued joint-venture opportunities in Asia, taking stakes in operators like Vietnam’s quick-service chain Pho24.

Nando’s Group Holdings Ltd., the parent company of grilled chicken chain Nando’s, saw growth accelerate in 2014. The growth was supported by the continued expansion of the Nando’s brand into both core markets like the United Kingdom as well as growth markets like the US, where the chain now operates more than 20 outlets.

One of the UK’s largest branded pub groups, Spirit Pub Co. PLC’s strong 2014 performance suggests a continued move away from the heavily leased pub model. The group is expected to complete a deal with rival chain Greene King sometime in 2015, creating the UK’s largest managed pub group.

Colowide’s acquisition spree continued in late 2014 with the purchase of Kappa Zushi. Kappa Zushi is one of Japan’s pre-eminent conveyor-belt sushi concepts, a segment which has enjoyed sustained growth over the last five years. Colowide has staked out a strong position in a shifting Japanese dining environment, in which reasonably-priced meals in fun, social atmospheres are slowly replacing rampant discounting.

One of Japan’s largest casual-dining operators through its Gusto and Jonathan brands, Skylark Group’s performance is representative of the broader Japanese market. The company saw improved performance in 2014 through a combination of initiatives designed to appeal to older consumers. The Skylark Group converted a number of its Gusto restaurants to brands serving more traditional Japanese dishes and expanded alcoholic beverage offerings.