When you think about chain restaurants in America, you start to realize it’s been a little while since we saw a new one that was a big, nationwide hit. We see things spread to new regions (like Chick-Fil-A or Dunkin) and we see existing chains attempt to reinvent themselves (like Domino’s or Dunkin). But the last time we saw a massive, nationwide chain essentially come out of nowhere may have been Chipotle (which I didn’t eat for the first time until after college) and before that maybe… Panera? I really have no idea.
There’s no way to accurately predict what might be next (if there was, I’d be a millionaire). However, based on some budding companies and general trends in restaurants, food, and even entertainment, these are some chains (and types of chains) we have our eye on.
Bareburger
There seem to be innumerable burger chains around the country, and while some are hits in certain local areas or even entire states (think Whataburger in Texas), few really make it big nationally. Bareburger might have a shot. It’s a publicly funded, elevated fast food chain taking a sustainable, farm-to-table approach to fast casual dining. It also has a more interesting menu than just about every existing restaurant on its level, with bison, elk, and turkey burgers, grilled and fried chicken sandwiches, extensive milkshake and dessert options, and now even a vegan egg burger. It’s a place that reaches out to modern consumers concerned with health, variety, and sustainability, all without sacrificing quality.
Cava Grill
Cava Grill may be the closest thing to a Chipotle phenomenon we’ve seen since. It’s far from the first chain to imitate the basic build-your-own-meal approach (which didn’t start with Chipotle to begin with), but it may do so most successfully. Cava, specifically, is a Greek-inspired grill at which you can start with a pita or bowl and put together a meal full of healthy and interesting ingredients. These range from the restaurant’s signature “crazy feta” topping, to lamb meatballs, to a spicy lime tahini dressing – all delicious, and all the sorts of things you don’t get just anywhere. The process is every bit as quick as it can be at a Chipotle or Subway, the meals, on average, are probably healthier than either, and the prices are reasonable. Cava is already expanding fairly aggressively, and seems to have a chance to become a major chain.
Chipotle-Style Dumplings
Dumplings seem to be just about everywhere. You can find them in passing Korean BBQ food trucks in big cities, or on the menus at fancier Asian restaurants here and there. You might have a favorite, off-the-beaten-path, authentic dumpling restaurant in your town. A new dumpling restaurant-slash-brewery in North Carolina even made a Forbes list of the coolest new restaurants in the world. Simply put, Americans are enjoying a bit of a dumpling craze. And if someone figures out how to present them in a Chipotle-like (or Cava-like) fashion, it could be a hit. Can you imagine the crowds of people who would wait to walk down a line and fill up their own dumplings?
Sportsbook-Style Grills
This idea comes less from a food trend or existing chain and more from a budding entertainment concept across the country. According to the latest news on U.S. gambling, states across the country are moving toward making sports betting legal. This would be a massive change, and there’s already talk about the different ways in which Americans will bet: through sites, through apps, at casino sportsbooks… and possibly at brand new venues. There is already some talk of Buffalo Wild Wings developing its own in-house sportsbooks, which leads us to wonder if there could also be a major new chain on the way, combining the traditional sports bar and grill with sleek, modern sportsbook features.
All-Day Breakfast Chains
This idea basically speaks for itself. It seems that just about everybody loves the idea of being able to eat breakfast all day. Indeed, even McDonald’s made the switch not long ago to expanding its breakfast menu to 24-hour availability. But we don’t really have a nationwide breakfast food chain that’s fast, easy, and widely liked. There are certainly some restaurants that approximate the idea – various biscuit- or donut-centric places may come to mind – but there’s not one leading the pack. If one such restaurant could separate itself and become the leader in this limited but desirable category, it too could be a huge deal.
