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Fro-yo, burgers, pizza concepts' growth indicate high demand

According to Inc. Magazine's annual list of privately-held companies, fast casuals are still setting the pace for the restaurant industry.

September 12, 2014

The 2014 Inc. 5000 was published last week – the publication’s 33rd year for compiling the fastest-growing privately-held companies in the country. As has been the theme throughout the past few years, Inc.’s Food and Beverage category was heavily peppered with fast casual concepts.

The list also indicates that sandwiches, burgers and frozen yogurt brands are still in high demand, despite some claiming oversaturation. And there are a few pizza players making significant headway in the crowded, competitive segment.

sweetFrog Premium Frozen Yogurt had the highest ranking of any foodservice concept, at No. 22. The Richmond, Virginia-based brand has experienced 10,372-percent growth throughout the past three years. Its 2013 revenue was $34.4M, compared to $328K in 2010. sweetFrog was founded in 2009 and has added 782 jobs in the past three years.

Other restaurant concepts on the list include:

• Bareburger, No. 278, with $31.1M revenue and 1,652-percent growth in the past three years.
• Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt, No. 695, with $26.9M revenue and 653-percent growth.
• The Big Salad, No. 1034, with $2.2M revenue and 431-percent growth.
• MOD Pizza, No. 1163, with $9M revenue and 376-percent growth.
• Patxi’s Pizza, No. 1327, with $21.8M revenue and 324-percent growth; (Patxi’s was No. 24 on last year's list. Read Founder Bill Freeman's interview about being one of the fastest-growing businesses).
• Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt, No. 1495, $190.8M revenue and 287-percent growth.
• Zoes Kitchen, No. 1635, with $116.4M revenue and 260-percent growth.
• Zoup! Fresh Soup Company, No. 2075, with $28.6M revenue and 194-percent growth.
• Freddy’s Frozen Custard, No. 2111, with $144.9M revenue and 189-percent growth.
• Meatheads, No. 2175 , $13.4M revenue and 183-percent growth.
• Smashburger, No. 2220, with $109.1M revenue and 177-percent growth.
• Costa Vida, No. 2686, with $54.4M revenue and 140-percent growth.
• Which Wich Superior Sandwiches, No. 3007, $11.2M revenue and 119-percent growth.
• Pizza Factory, No. 3438, $2.9M revenue and 97 percent growth.
• Wingstop, No. 4302, $549.9M revenue and 65-percent growth.
• Boloco, No. 4551, $25M revenue and 56-percent growth.
• Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop, No. 4817, $58.4M revenue and 48-percent growth.