FSR August 2022

FSR 50

BJ’S RESTAURANTS 12 Strong AUVs rather than unit expansion pushed BJ’s Res taurants back over the $1 bil lion mark in 2021. The new year began on uneven footing when the Omicron spike compounded labor challenges and forced the brand to curtail operating hours and menus at several locations. But by spring, weekly store sales were up some $20,000, and lead ership was optimistic about its GZRCPUKQP IQCNU ƂTUV YKVJ GKIJV new units this year and eventually 425 nationwide. CARRABBA’S 14 Although Outback Steak house garnered plenty of buzz when it launched cater ing, sister concept Carrabba’s could have even greater poten tial in this arena. In 2021, cater ing sales increased 46 percent for the Italian chain compared to 2019 levels. This jump is fueled, in part, by Carrabba’s success in the off premises space, with delivery and carryout accounting for 37 percent of sales.

13 Less than a year into its status as a publicly traded company, First Watch is already wowing the industry and investors alike, with sales catapulting 75 percent in the 12-month period end ing December 2021. And when Omicron tripped up other restau rants in the early months of 2022, First Watch posted Q1 num DGTU JKIJGT VJCP VJG UCOG RGTKQF KP 'XGT RTGUGPV KPƃCVKQP could bring some friction (the breakfast chain was forced to raise prices 3.5 percent earlier this year), but it’s unlikely to slow the brand’s momentum to C UKIPKƂECPV FGITGG FIRST WATCH

FIRST WATCH

15 Bloomin’s seafood restau rant pushed sales over the $500 million mark last year. (QQV VTCHƂE YCU UVKNN UNKIJVN[ FQYP HTQO NGXGNU DWV UKIPKƂECPVN[ higher than 2020. Compared to Outback and Carrabba’s, Bone ƂUJ TGOCKPU HQEWUGF QP FKPG KP BONEFISH GRILL

16 Like the rest of the eater taiment category, Dave & Buster’s was pummeled by COVID; the company almost declared Chapter 11 in 2020. It’s a completely different story today. Of the featured public brands in this year’s FSR 50, none saw sales skyrocket like Dave & Bust er’s, who closed 2021 with a sales increase just shy of 200 percent. The brand’s winning streak is likely to continue following the acquisi tion of competitor Main Event. DAVE & BUSTER’S

BONEFISH GRILL’S ICONIC BANG BANG SHRIMP

BLOOMIN' BRANDS

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FSRMAGAZINE.COM

AUGUST 2022