2006 R&I Top 100 Introduction

By the Editors -- Restaurants & Institutions, 4/1/2006

The 100 highest-grossing U.S. restaurants showed continued strength in 2005. These independents (here defined as nonchain restaurants with no more than five locations operating under the same name) had aggregate food-and-beverage sales of $1.34 billion, a 4.7% increase over the previous year.

The top 100 operations average 328 seats (including bar and private dining). Average per-person check (including beverages) rose to $56.09, up from $51.13 in 2004.

Las Vegas' evolution as a haven of high-end restaurants continues, with the addition this year of several new hotel-casino-based venues, including the Alain Ducasse/Jeffrey Chodorow partnership Mix in Las Vegas. But other first-time members come from Jericho, N.Y. (The Milleridge Inn), Miami Beach (Prime One Twelve), San Francisco (The Slanted Door) and elsewhere, reconfirming that top-quality food and service is found across the nation.

Top 100 Independents List
The highest-grossing nonchain restaurants had aggregate food-and-beverage sales of $1.34 billion in 2005, an increase of 4.7% over the previous year.

Independence Days
More than ever, independent operations are feeling chain-restaurants’ competitive pressures. But the best independents always find means to match the multi-units’ strengths.

Seeing Double
More than one-third of this year’s Top 100 Independent Restaurants have opened at least a second location, adopting the core business philosophies of chain challengers.