This story is part of NRN’s Second 100 special report, a proprietary census ranking the foodservice industry’s largest restaurant chains and companies by sales and unit data, among other metrics.
July 23, 2013
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At $10.1 million, Grand Lux Cafe had the highest ESPU of this year's Second 100.
Many of the chains in the Second 100 universe are on the rise, with some looking to expand regionally and others charging toward national scale. In either case, strong and improving unit-level economics are critical.
While the majority of restaurant chain growth can come from unit expansion — the Second 100 universe saw aggregate unit growth of 1.8 percent — a concept’s sales per unit are key to driving total sales growth; keeping rising costs at bay; and, when combined with a proven track record, allowing easier access to growth capital.
Take Noodles & Company, the second-largest chain on the Second 100 roster based on total U.S. systemwide sales and one of the most successful growth stories in the restaurant industry today. After hol...
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