In a report issued July 20, the NPD Group stated that QSR unit counts are down 1 percent within the past year.
Consumer spending in the industry is also down and Greg Starzynski, director of product development-foodservice at NPD, said it has been a difficult time for restaurants, with “the greatest impact on the independent restaurant operators.”
Many may be reluctant to try a new concept in such choppy waters.
Sam Ballas, however, is not among them.
Ballas, CEO of fast casual concept East Coast Wings and Grill, experienced 26 consecutive quarters of sales growth. In the second quarter of 2010 alone, ECW was outperforming 2009 second quarter sales by more than 16 percent.
With these encouraging numbers, and confidence in the product, he decided to create a quick-service restaurant concept based on his fast casual brand. More.
