LOUISVILLE, KY - Last week Fastcasual.com released its 2011 Top 100 Movers and Shakers ranks the restaurant-industry segment's best brands based on innovation, sales and unit growth, marketing successes and food quality.
"This year's winner smoked the competition, boosting both average-unit volumes and overall sales in 2010," noted the news source, referring to Jacksonville, Florida-based Firehouse Subs.
"Our top 10 fast casual brands used the economic recession as an opportunity rather than an obstacle and used creativity and innovation to move their brands and the segment forward," wrote Valerie Killifer, fastcasual.com??s editorial vice president, foodservice division.
The top 10 fast-causal restaurants are:
- Firehouse Subs
- Wildflower Bread Company
- Genghis Grill
- Mooyah
- Five Guys Burgers & Fries
- Go Roma
- Chipotle Mexican Grill
- Tom & Eddie??s
- Wow Bao
- Au Bon Pain
In addition to the top 100, this year??s issue includes a look at the top marketing, technology and food trends of 2010, along with an executive Q&A with Panera Bread chairman Ron Shaich.