FSR April 2023

NEXTGEN 25

True Food Kitchen PHOENIX

JINYA Ramen Bar BURBANK, CALIFORNIA

UNITS: 56

FOUNDED: 2010

UNITS: 43

FOUNDED: 2008

Although parent com pany JINYA Holdings

With investments from the likes of Oprah and Starbucks founder How ard Schultz, True Food Kitchen’s influence has long surpassed its store count—but the latter could soon catch up. In September, the concept closed a $100 million-plus both of the original True Food Kitchen and a yet unnamed fast casual. The forthcoming spinoff isn’t the only point of uncer tainty; at press time, the brand was still without a chief executive, following the departure of Chris tine Barone in November. funding round, which will help fuel growth,

Tom’s Watch Bar DENVER

continues creating fresh concepts—including LBD Japanese Bar & Lounge, which debuted last fall— the company remains dedicated to its full service flagship brand. JINYA Ramen Bar closed out 2022 with launches in a handful of new markets, bringing the unit count up to 50. Meanwhile, it’s discovered a new plat form to engage with fans,

UNITS: 8

FOUNDED: 2014

In place of putt-putt, cornhole, and the usual trappings of eatertain ment restaurants, Tom’s Watch Bar delivers on an immersive, digital experience. Each loca tion features an over sized stadium screen plus 360-degree view ing rooms, chock full of multiple televisions. The brand has taken pains to cement this position ing, even going as far as changing its original name, Tom’s Urban, in 2019. From the beginning, cofounder Tom Ryan rec ognized that the brand would face an unusual set of challenges in attracting guests. While golf and other game peddling brands could easily promise a unique experience, Tom’s had to bring a new dimension to sports viewing—one that could lure patrons away from their own big screen TVs. “This emerging new sports enthusiast cus tomer is really looking for an experience and ability to plan that experience,”

feature a town square– inspired design, opening up opportunities for con certs, watch parties, ice skating, and more. The first location sporting the new model is slated to open in St. Charles, Mis souri, late this year; 2023 will also see the brand enter two new markets, Nevada and Arizona, and open a fourth Texas out post.

namely an online retail site with branded hood ies and hats, as well as e-gift cards.

Chicken N Pickle NORTH KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI

UNITS: 7

FOUNDED: 2016

Chicken N Pickle not only spotlights the wildly pop ular game of pickleball, it also cultivates a commu nity feel through its ded ication to local sourcing and versatile layout. In fact, a new prototype will

TRUE FOOD KITCHEN

EK STUDIOS PHOTO & VIDEO / CHICKEN N PICKLE (2) / TRUE FOOD KITCHEN (2)

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FSRMAGAZINE.COM

APRIL 2023