Chicago, February 13, 2008, Business Wire – Restaurant chains and other foodservice providers frequently look towards smaller chains to identify emerging trends with solid growth potential. To facilitate that process, Technomic recently issued its 2008 Top 100 Emerging Chain Concept Report, which features 100 up-and-coming operators that exhibit a strong recipe for success.

To assist in evaluating their performance and drawing broader conclusions and recommendations, the report segregates the top 100 chains into major operational segments (full-and limited-service, as well as fast casual, fine dining, casual dining and midscale), but also examines them within 16 unique concept clusters, including Mexican, pizza, sandwich, beverage, specialty, etc. Beyond Restaurant segments of the foodservice industry are also included.

Among the developments cited in the report:

• The rising stars in the limited-service segment all compete with well-established and well-defined competitors, but have successfully carved out niches through strong points of differentiation, including more emphasis on “green” elements such as organic foods, renewable energy and recycling programs, and other areas of corporate social responsibility.

•iCasual dining chains dominate the emerging full-service segment and, as a group, experienced 13 percent growth rates in 2007. But three other full-service concepts performed even stronger, representing the fine dining and midscale categories, with growth rates of 33 and 32 percent, respectively.

•Several new players which pose unique challenges to restaurants are also examined. For example, one such noteworthy “Beyond Restaurant” operator, NeXstore Marketplace, successfully combines a gas station, c-store and fresh food market with a thriving catering program and gourmet meals to go.

“We firmly believe that these 100 up-and-coming chains are driving many of the industry’s latest trends and represent the leading emerging concepts,” says Darren Tristano, Executive Vice President of Technomic Information Services. “Larger chains wishing to maintain their competitive edge would be wise to take a closer look at this group.” Tristano also noted that suppliers to chain restaurants can also use the report to identify potential new customers primed for future growth.

In addition to providing extensive performance analysis, the 2008 Top 100 Emerging Chain Concept Report also includes detailed profiles on each of the 100 emerging chains and compiles related news summaries over the past two years.

To purchase or learn more about the 2008 Top 100 Emerging Chain Concept Report, please visit www.foodpubs.com or contact one of the individuals listed below.

Contacts
Press Inquiries: Darren Tristano, 312-876-0004, extension 3850, or dtristano@technomic.com
Purchasing Details: Chris Urban, 312-876-0004, extension 3929, or curban@technomic.com
Report Details: Naomi Van Til, 312-876-0004, extension 3844, or nvantil@technomic.com

Technomic Information Services has been tracking the foodservice industry for over 40 years, providing industry intelligence, forecasts, data and training support to manufacturers, operators, distributors and others allied to the field. Our numerous publications and digital products—featuring quick-read newsletters, analytical annual reports, training handbooks, sales guides and restaurant chain profiles—help industry leaders keep a finger on the pulse of the entire foodservice terrain. Technomic Information Services delivers distinctive, premium content to its customers.

Technomic provides food and foodservice clients with the research, insights and
strategic consulting support they need to enhance their business strategies, decisions and results. Its services include category and channel analyses, customer satisfaction studies, opportunity assessments, benchmarking programs and brand equity enhancement.

Source: Technomic, Inc.
Press Contact: Chris Urban, 312-506-3929 or curban@technomic.com