The fastest-growing restaurant chains in the 2015 Top 100

1 2

No. 10: Buffalo Wild Wings

Joshua Lott/Getty Images

The only traditional bar-and-grill brand among the Top 100 fastest-growing chains, Buffalo Wild Wings continues to drive sales at a double-digit pace. In the Latest Year, the chain tipped U.S. systemwide foodservice sales over the $3 billion mark, bringing it closer to Casual Dining segment leaders Applebee’s, Olive Garden and Chili’s. Buffalo Wild Wings also continues to increase volume. In the Latest Year, the chain ranked No. 1 among all Casual-Dining chains in terms of estimated sales per unit growth. It ranked No. 2 in the segment for total U.S. unit growth, just behind Yard House.

Find out why this chain made the Top 10 >>

Segment: Casual Dining
Sales growth: 16.3%
Total sales: $3.2 billion
Sales rank: 19
Total units: 1,052 (+7.6%)
ESPU: $3.2 million (+6.7%)

No. 2: Chipotle Mexican Grill

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

With a Top 100-leading surge in estimated sales per unit, at 13.6 percent, Chipotle Mexican Grill rose to the second fastest-growing chain in this year’s report. The brand’s improving unit-level volumes were driven by increased menu pricing undertaken
in 2014, which most customers simply swallowed, as well as new menu items like Sofritas, a tofu-based protein option introduced at the beginning of 2014, which had helped to drive traffic. Chipotle continues to be a relevant food brand with a growing consumer base looking for items coming from antibiotic-free livestock or free from genetically modified organisms. The brand’s “food with integrity” message has clearly carried weight.

Find out why this chain made the Top 10 >>

Segment: Mexican
Sales growth: 27.3%
Total sales: $4.1 billion
Sales rank: 14
Total units: 1,755 (+11.6%)
ESPU: $2.4 million (+13.6%)

Next Up

Subway offers glimpse of new restaurant design

Start Slideshow ›