2007 Fast Casual Restaurant Top 100 Movers & Shakers

Sponsored by FastCasual.com
Tags: Asian, Bakery Cafe, Burger/Steak/BBQ, Coffee / Specialty Beverages, Ethnic, Fresh Mex, Italian/Pizza, Sandwich, Soup/Salad
Type: Special Report
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This year has been one of triumph for many of our Top 100 movers and chakers. Chipotle continues to increase momentum while staying true to its "food with integrity" form, and Panera still "bakes the competition" as it did one year ago. Meanwhile, some smaller chains made considerable leaps.
 
Camille's Sidewalk Cafe has moved up the ladder in addition to Saladworks, Bruegger's, Zaxby's and Spicy Pickle, just to name a few. Of course, there are a few surprises. Pinkberry, although relatively unknown in the Midwest, rounded out our Top 10. It's not the most obvious choice, but the concept has the ability to reshape the yogurt trend, leading the way for chains such as Yovana and FreshBerry. Afterall, that's what our Top 100 is all about: shaping the industry and moving it forward.
 
Our panelists reviewed more than 150 fast-casual operations to select the Top 25, and we reviewed another 300 to complete our Top 100. We've come up with a list as unique as the fast-casual segment and, although you may disagree with some of our choices, we stand behind each and every one.
 
Here's the Top 10:
 
1. Chipotle
2. Panera Bread
3. Qdoba
4. Buffalo Wild Wings
5. Camille's Sidewalk Cafe
6. McAlister's Deli
7. Saladworks
8. Bruegger's
9. Moe's Southwest Grill
10. Pinkberry