The 23 Fastest-Growing Full-Service Restaurant Chains

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Luke Howell
First Watch breakfast platter.
Defying the odds

Due to COVID-19, last year offered little in terms of favorable market conditions, but that didn’t stop some of the casual-dining industry's brightest chains from expanding their store footprints. Here were the 23 fastest-growing brands in the full-service category in 2020.

Click here for more on the Growth 23 and navigating a year unlike any other.

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First Watch
1. First Watch

Unit change additional stores: 42

Unit change percentage: 11.40%

2020 unit count: 410

2019 unit count: 368

Click here for more on the Growth 23 and navigating a year unlike any other.

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Texas Roadhouse
The exterior of a Texas Roadhouse restaurant.
2. Texas Roadhouse

Unit change additional stores: 19

Unit change percentage: 3.4%

2020 unit count: 572

2019 unit count: 553

Click here for more on the Growth 23 and navigating a year unlike any other.

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Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux
Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux servers hold up plates of food.
3. Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux

Unit change additional stores: 12

Unit change percentage: 36.4%

2020 unit count: 45

2019 unit count: 33

Click here for more on the Growth 23 and navigating a year unlike any other.

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LongHorn Steakhouse
A grilled steak and asparagus at LongHorn restaurant.
4. LongHorn Steakhouse

Unit change additional store: 8

Unit change percentage: 1.5%

2020 unit count: 538

2019 unit count: 530

Click here for more on the Growth 23 and navigating a year unlike any other.

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M.O. Stevens via Wikimedia Commons
Topgolf exterior as seen from the parking lot.
5. Topgolf

Unit change additional store: 6

Unit change percentage: 11.1%

2020 unit count: 60

2019 unit count: 54

Click here for more on the Growth 23 and navigating a year unlike any other.

6. Lou Malnati’s

Unit change additional stores: 6

Unit change percentage: 9.7%

2020 unit count: 68

2019 unit count: 62

Click here for more on the Growth 23 and navigating a year unlike any other.

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Eggs Up Grill
Eggs Up Grill
7. Eggs Up Grill

Unit change additional stores: 5

Unit change percentage: 12.2%

2020 unit count: 46

2019 unit count: 41

Click here for more on the Growth 23 and navigating a year unlike any other.

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Hawkers Asian Street Food
Hawkers Asian Street Food.
8. Hawkers

Unit change additional stores: 4

Unit change percentage: 57.1%

2020 unit count: 11

2019 unit count: 7

Click here for more on the Growth 23 and navigating a year unlike any other.

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Black Bear Diner
Black Bear Diner exterior.
9. Black Bear Diner

Unit change additional stores: 5

Unit change percentage: 3.6%

2020 unit count: 143

2019 unit count: 138

Click here for more on the Growth 23 and navigating a year unlike any other.

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Angry Crab Shack
Angry Crab Shack food.
10. Angry Crab Shack

Unit change additional stores: 4

Unit change percentage: 40%

2020 unit count: 14

2019 unit count: 10

Click here for more on the Growth 23 and navigating a year unlike any other.

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Condado Tacos
Condado Tacos
11. Condado Tacos

Unit change additional stores: 4

Unit change percentage: 23.5%

2020 unit count: 21

2019 unit count: 17

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Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken
Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken.
12. Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken

Unit change additional stores: 4

Unit change percentage: 14.3%

2020 unit count: 32

2019 unit count: 28

Click here for more on the Growth 23 and navigating a year unlike any other.

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110 Grill
13. 110 Grill

Unit change additional stores: 4

Unit change percentage: 13.8%

2020 unit count: 33

2019 unit count: 29

Click here for more on the Growth 23 and navigating a year unlike any other.

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JINYA Ramen Bar
JINYA meal
14. Jinya Ramen Bar

Unit change additional stores: 4

Unit change percentage: 12.9%

2020 unit count: 35

2019 unit count: 31

Click here for more on the Growth 23 and navigating a year unlike any other.

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Snooze, an A.M. Eatery
Snooze, an A.M. Eatery bacon dish.
15. Snooze, an A.M. Eatery

Unit change additional stores: 4

Unit change percentage: 10%

2020 unit count: 44

2019 unit count: 40

Click here for more on the Growth 23 and navigating a year unlike any other.

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Keke’s Breakfast Cafe
French toast with bananas at Keke’s Breakfast Cafe.
16. Keke’s Breakfast Cafe

Unit change additional stores: 4

Unit change percentage: 8.7%

2020 unit count: 50

2019 unit count: 46

Click here for more on the Growth 23 and navigating a year unlike any other.

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Gyu-Kaku
Gyu-Kaku bowl of food.
17. Gyu-Kaku

Unit change additional stores: 4

Unit change percentage: 7.7%

2020 unit count: 56

2019 unit count: 52

Click here for more on the Growth 23 and navigating a year unlike any other.

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Bubba's 33
18. Bubba’s 33

Unit change additional stores: 3

Unit change percentage: 10.7%

2020 unit count: 31

2019 unit count: 28

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Avocado toast at True Food Kitchen.
Avocado toast at True Food Kitchen.
19. True Food Kitchen

Unit change additional stores: 3

Unit change percentage: 9.4%

2020 unit count: 35

2019 unit count: 32

Click here for more on the Growth 23 and navigating a year unlike any other.

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Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar
20. Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar

Unit change additional stores: 3

Unit change percentage: 8.3%

2020 unit count: 39

2019 unit count: 36

Click here for more on the Growth 23 and navigating a year unlike any other.

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Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant | Facebook
21. Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants

Unit change additional stores: 3

Unit change percentage: 7.3%

2020 unit count: 44

2019 unit count: 41

Click here for more on the Growth 23 and navigating a year unlike any other.

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Another Broken Egg Café
Sweet Potato Waffle.
22. Another Broken Egg Cafe

Unit change additional stores: 3

Unit change percentage: 4.4%

2020 unit count: 71

2019 unit count: 68

Click here for more on the Growth 23 and navigating a year unlike any other.

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Wings Etc. Grill & Pub
Pretzel bites.
23. Wings Etc. Grill & Pub

Unit change additional stores: 3

Unit change percentage: 4.2%

2020 unit count: 75

2019 unit count: 72

Click here for more on the Growth 23 and navigating a year unlike any other.