QSR February 2023

specials like Bottomless Aperitivo Happy Hour and Puro Power Hours, which offers $1 coffee before 9 a . m . Puro Gusto plans to open more stores in D.C. and beyond and even tually pursue franchising channels. In 2023, the restaurant will switch to eco-friendly takeout containers, packaging, and utensils. Viva Chicken HEADQUARTERS: CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA UNITS: 16 This year, Viva Chicken turns 10, and it’s marking the occasion with a full roster of events—and a new era of expansion. Founded in 2013 by Peruvian-born chef Bruno Machi avello and business partner Randy Garcia, the concept features the chef ’s family recipes but in a fast casual format. The signature dish, Pollo a la Brasa, which is marinated for 24 hours in a proprietary blend of herbs and spices, can be paired with authentic sides like arroz chaufa ( Peruvian fried rice) , plantains, and canary beans. A selection of salads, bowls, wraps, and sandwiches round out the menu. Since its debut in Charlotte, North Carolina, Viva Chicken has expanded throughout the state and into neighboring markets as well as Utah. Last year, it opened a third unit in South Carolina (the second in Greenville) and made its Georgia debut with a location in Kerners ville. The brand also went mobile in 2022 with the launch of its first food truck. Now it’s targeting 3–5 new units per year in existing markets and contiguous states, including a second Georgia outpost in 2023. But even as Viva Chicken expands its footprint, the company remains committed to its people. Last year, it expanded its bene f its package, which now includes maternity leave, advanced access to earned wages, sick pay, 401K, and more.

a time of fear and uncertainty dur ing the pandemic, Chicas donated more than 80,000 meals to schools and charities, which also enabled the restaurant to keep staff employed. With check averages north of $22 per person and a high percent age of alcohol sales relative to the wider quick-serve and fast-casual sec tor, Chicas is poised for growth. The brand opened its second brick and mortar location in Culver City, Cali fornia, in January 2020, followed by three more store openings. In 2023, Chicas plans to open six more res taurants between Los Angeles and Orange County and find a brand equity partner to help grow the con cept to 25 locations and beyond. PuroGusto HEADQUARTERS: WASHINGTON, D.C. UNITS: 1 ( U.S. ) Puro Gusto puts an international twist on the standard café with an operation that runs from breakfast until cocktail hour. Meaning “pure taste” in Italian, the f irst location opened in 2006 in Milan and has since grown to 30 units in Europe and Asia. In December 2021, the brand made its stateside debut in D.C., just blocks from the White House. Given its location in a business district rather than a residential neighborhood, Puro Gusto launched delivery to drive off-premises busi ness. As workers began to return to the office, the café introduced cater ing menus, with options spanning breakfast, lunch, and happy hour. It also created a loyalty program with

Cornbread

The 40/40 List

AdenahBayoh believesCornbread has the potential to be the largest national savory soul food concept in the fast-casual space. Bayoh and her co-founder, Elza die “Zadie” Smith, created Cornbread’s menu to be mouthwatering, comfort chicken, catfish po’ boy, yams, and of course, the brand’s award-winning cornbread. “We’re essentially a line service like Chipo tle, but we’re not serving ing takes on Southern classics such as fried

HEADQUARTERS: IRVINGTON, NEW JERSEY

UNITS: 3

PURO GUSTO

you burritos, we’re serving you mac and cheese, baked chicken, barbecue ribs, and collard greens,” says Bayoh. “If you look at the segment of fast casual, we don’t have a competitor, we just don’t; no one is really doing this the way we’re doing it, and I pride ourselves in being the first to do it well.” Bayoh opened the first Cornbread location in Maplewood, New Jersey in October 2017, a second location in Newark in 2021, and a third in June 2022, located on the ground floor of a luxury rental building in Brooklyn. The “farm to soul” brand’s fourth location is expected to open in Montclair, New Jer sey, during the second quarter of 2023, with more to follow as Bayoh’s team begins offering franchise opportunities around the same time. “I would like to do three to four more stores in Brook lyn, because Brooklyn’s love [for Cornbread] is so deep and so amazing. We’ve gotta spread love the Brooklyn way,” Bayoh says. She’s also eyeing areas such as Queens and Harlem in New York to expand into, as well as areas in Washington, D.C. and Virginia. “We’re looking at growing our corporate-owned stores as

40

FEBRUARY 2023 | QSR | www.qsrmagazine.com