With the current challenges the restaurant industry faces, it’s always nice to hear about the ones that are hitting it out of the ballpark. How are they managing to do it amidst high labor costs, inflationary pressures, and tariff setbacks? What’s their secret sauce?
NRN and Technomic recently identified the fastest-growing brands in their 2025 100 Under 100 list. These emerging restaurant chains experienced double-digit growth between 2023 and 2024 and continue to make their mark, with some capturing an astounding market share.
Here are the top five concepts poised for rapid expansion.
Smalls Sliders
This brand can be defined by simplicity and creative craftsmanship. Their venue? An 800-square-foot shipping container. Their offerings? Sliders, fries, fountain drinks, and shakes. Does it get any simpler? According to Leonardo da Vinci, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” It appears that Small Sliders has successfully adopted this approach, with a 118% increase in locations following the opening of 13 new units in 2024.
Hangry Joe’s Hot Chicken & Wings
It’s hard to imagine that the U.S. has room for another hot chicken-forward concept, but, apparently, it does. Hangry Joe’s Hot Chicken & Wings is one of the fastest-growing chains with 86.3% unit growth. A concept catering to those who love customizable Nashville-style hot chicken, they’re known for integrating fresh ingredients and for their proprietary sauce, a blend of sugar, vinegar, butter, and various spices.
Big Chicken
Created by Shaquille O’Neal, the NBA Hall of Famer, this Las Vegas-based brand saw 84.6% sales growth. Now part of the Craveworthy Brands, their current 24 units are located in 17 states, as well as Manchester, England, and the Carnival Cruise Line. Their menu consists of sandwiches, SHAQ snacks, Punkables, salads, and sides.
KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot
This brand creates an experience by blending the culinary traditions of Hot Pot with Korean BBQ. Guests grill or boil their selections at their table, creating a social and interactive experience. What started as a single unit in New Jersey in 2018 has grown into 95 units across the country.
Curry Pizza House
Indian-pizza fusion. Need we say more? This unique and trending pizza hotspot added 13 units in 2024, a period when other pizza concepts were experiencing closures. From using the highest quality spices to sourcing fresh vegetables daily, they are a brand committed to healthy food with an innovative flair.
As first-generation Indian Americans living in California, they began adding authentic Indian ingredients to their own pizzas and realized this flavor profile could be in demand. They were correct. They currently have 32 locations in California, Delaware, Georgia, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Washington, and soon-to-be Indiana.
The Similarities
So, what do all these brands have in common?
They narrowed their focus. As the saying goes, you can’t be all things to all people. These concepts followed that course, focusing on what they do best. In some cases, though not always, this translates to a limited menu.
In the restaurant industry, specialized kitchens can refine recipes, perfect techniques, and deliver consistent dishes, an essential aspect of success. This business model also supports operational efficiency by streamlining kitchen operations, better inventory control, reducing food waste, creating a strong brand identity, and, in many cases, enhancing the customer experience.
Information overload is everywhere. Research shows that an overwhelming number of choices leads to indecision and decreased satisfaction. By specializing in a specific type of dish and cuisine, guests can be assured that the chefs carefully craft each item. Of course, there are always exceptions. KPOT offers an extensive menu with nearly 100 different options, ranging from the hot pot base to main ingredients and add-ons.
Rapid Expansion Isn’t for Everyone
While tempting, not every restaurant concept is suited to the operational complexities associated with multiple locations. Careful market and brand considerations, such as saturation and dilution, are essential when defining your business strategy.
At Emerging Concepts, we collaborate with leading entertainment and restaurant concepts, supporting their growth through benchmarking and data-driven strategies. Solution-focused, we identify critical goals, develop plans, and define the most efficient path to excellence.
To learn more about how we approach successful long-term growth or to schedule a consultation, contact Emerging Concepts.