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2017 Next 202017 Next 20

Get to know this diverse group of growing brands

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

August 29, 2017

3 Min Read
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The 2017 Next 20 restaurant brands — a broad range of concepts and a mix of both established and developing brands — exhibit strong growth trajectories in both number of units and in systemwide sales. The brands, whose annual U.S. sales are below the $166.9 million needed to qualify for the annual Top 100 and Second 100 lists, nonetheless paint a picture of a diverse group of growing concepts to keep an eye on.

Even in the highly competitive foodservice economy, this year’s Next 20 brands grew their aggregate sales with a year-over-year percentage increase of 16.8 percent, rising in the Latest Year to $1.3 billion from $1.1 billion in the Preceding Year.

The group’s aggregate unit growth was also demonstrably significant for these 20 conce...

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About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

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