Chain Profiles

Each article provides in-depth profile on an emerging or innovative chain, focusing on the restaurant layout, menu and how foodservice equipment works with these attributes to deliver service to consumers.

B Ready for Burger 21

The Melting Pot Restaurants’ founders set out to shake up the better burger segment with a fresh, new, kicked-up fast-casual concept.

Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks at Wienerschnitzel

Quick-service chain Wienerschnitzel, which celebrates its 51st anniversary in 2012, positions itself as a fun experience where customers can find reasonably priced menus. The chain is working toward obtaining LEED certification so it will be positioned as a green company.

Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill: Ready to Roll

After a team of restaurant industry veterans invested the time to refine the Garbanzo prototype, this budding fast-casual concept is poised to blossom.

Chain Profile: Schlotzsky's

This restaurant chain used its signature round sandwiches to inspire an updated interior design while leveraging a custom-made equipment package to rejuvenate operations.

Chain Profile: Rusty Taco

A small, yet efficient, equipment package helps this young quick-service concept to offer authentic tacos prepared fresh daily.

Home Run Inn’s Legacy

A brief look at Home Run Inn's storied past offers a glimpse into how the restaurant evolved into a Chicago-area icon.

Home Run Inn

Streamlining productivity and ensuring menu consistency in a tightly designed layout allows this company's casual dining restaurants to compete successfully in one of the most competitive pizzeria markets in the country.

Georgio’s Pizza Slices Up the Chicago Pizza Market

Brian Coli, co-owner of this emerging Chicago-area chain, talks about what it takes to be successful in today's pizza segment, including equipment, labor and more.

Hungry Howie’s Pizza has an Appetite for Growth

Endeavoring to become a national player in the über-competitive pizza segment is not for the timid. Nevertheless, it's a goal that Hungry Howie's Pizza has set out to accomplish by taking its core strengths — freshly made, flavored-crust pizza to-go — to market in new, strategic ways. The Michigan Heights, Mich.-based chain has rolled out a new prototype, freshened up its look, established new marketing initiatives and tightened up its operations to reduce costs, ensure consistency and enhance speed of service.

Mama Fu’s Asian House

A small chain with big plans, Mama Fu's Asian House is set to sizzle in the burgeoning Asian fast-casual segment.

Rex's by Beautiful Brands International

A small kitchen footprint allows this revitalized fast-casual concept to produce a limited menu featuring fried chicken, sides and bread.

Page 1 of 3