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January 6, 2006
20. McAlister's Deli, Ridgeland, Miss.McAlister's Deli has great sandwiches and a very nontraditional approach to expansion. New buildings, inline locations and remodels are on the expansion plan for this brand. Watch them closely as they could begin to make a move on other industry players for market share.
21.FreshCityExecutives: Larry & Bruce Reinstein.Larry and Bruce Reinstein are the developers behind the very fresh approach ofFreshCity. These guys are always running, and it seems like there is no stopping them in their quest for fresh success.
22. Curbside & Takeout.Curbside and takeout options are considered one of the most innovative moves by the entire restaurant industry. It can be compared to the drive-thru idea that was established more than 40 years ago and rules the land today.
23. Martin Sprock,Raving Brands.Martin Sprock entered the restaurant business in 1990. His company, Raving Brands, is home to seven fast casual brands, including Moe's Southwest, Planet Smoothie, PJ's Coffee & Wine Bar, Mama Fu's Asian House, Doc Green's Gourmet Salads, as well as the new Shane's Rib Shack and Boneheads Seafood. For now we will just refer to Martin as the "brand master."
24. Baja Fresh Mexican Grill,Thousand Oaks,Calif.One of the original Fresh Mex leaders. New development with store design and takeout could set them up for tremendous growth. Whether Wendy's knows what it takes to make this brand sizzle has yet to be seen, but their model and concept is solid and meets with the market demands.
25. Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwich Shops,Champaign,Ill.Jimmy John Liautaud's low price, great food and delivery with a smile have led the once bratty little brother of the sandwich industry to become the cool older brother everyone else wants to be. There are more than 300 locations acrossAmericawith more to come.
26. Bear Rock Café,Cary,N.C.Bear Rock is 33 locations strong with more than 150 signed franchise and area development agreements spanning theUnited States. What a great experience: a mountain lodge with fantastic food and fun. Open cooking areas with a panoramic view show how great food is prepared.
27. Einstein Bros. Café, Golden,Colo.Makeovers can be a good thing and Einstein Bros. Café is living proof. New menu items and a renewed flair for consumer connection make this brand pop. With 707 locations, this is one to watch.28. Freebirds World Burrito,College Station,Texas.This is one of those cult brands that cause people to stop and ask, "How do they do that?" The answers are in the minds of some very savvy execs. Libby, a highflying Statue of Liberty, is its mascot, but the great food will be the reason you come back for more.
29. Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar,Overland Park,Kan. Applebee's currently has 1,496 locations throughout theU.S.andCanada. Though not the innovator of the takeout explosion, Applebee's did a bang up job making the American public understand just how casual dining could be convenient. Its ad campaigns gave it a lead in the takeout segment.
30. Wild Noodles,Scottsdale,Ariz.A great chef (Eddie Matney) and a stellar management team are behind this great brand. Wild Noodles has a unique menu and tantalizing taste profiles that will set your expectations for noodles to a new high.
31. Jason's Deli,Beaumont,Texas.By setting the bar high, Jason's Deli has been able to produce consistent quality and excellent service for its customers. Jason's Deli offers sandwiches, salads and mouth-watering desserts in a modern-style deli.
32. Jeff Scinelli, CEO, Which Wich.There are few fast casual execs who can be called visionary. Jeff Scinelli is one who can. Launching several brands and settling on the sandwich chain that lets you manage your own menu is what has put Jeff on the map of the Fast
33. Fazoli's,Lexington,Ky.The first location opened in 1988, inLexington,Ky.Originally called Gratzi's, the name was changed to Fazoli's in 1989. Today this fresh Italian concept is expanding acrossAmericaand currently operates more than 380 restaurants in 32 states.34. La Madeleine, Dallas.Smooth operator is what came to mind when we selected La Madeline, one of the few brands that can bring menu and ambiance to life without looking overdone. It reminds you of eating at your Aunt May's, with aromas and textures that make you question what life is all about.
35. Zoup,Ferndale,Mich.A soup with zest is our assessment of this brand. Taking a soup and making it a brand sounds pretty hard unless you are the innovative Zoup brand, which features more than 200 specialty soups, each made with a 200-year-old French cooking method.
36. Loop Pizza Grill,Jacksonville,Fla.Loophas built a reputation over the past 24 years for consistently serving delicious food at reasonable prices. Its menu includes creamy malts, fresh salads, award-winning hamburgers and a large variety of pizzas, includingChicagoandCaliforniastyle — all made from scratch.
37. Au Bon Pain,Boston.Au Bon Pain means the place of good bread in French and features distinct menu offerings. Headquartered inBoston, Au Bon Pain boasts nontraditional outlets, such as airports, office buildings and alternate locations that are a sign of relief for those looking for a stylish bakery café.
38. Fuddruckers,Austin,Texas.Fuddruckers is the king of fresh-made hamburgers. Large portions with an entourage of side items make this a burger-lover's dream come true. Throw in an American nostalgic environment, and it is easy to see why Fuddruckers is 211 locations strong.
39. Zpizza,Newport Beach,Calif. Zpizza was founded in the art colony ofLaguna Beach,Calif., where creativity and craftsmanship have flourished for almost a century. So it comes as no surprise at all that their critically acclaimed pizza is a true Laguna original.
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