Moe's Southwest Grill Leads the Industry as Fastest Growing Company

Moe’s Southwest Grill unprecedented 3-year growth has landed it as the No. 11 fastest-growing company in America as featured in Inc. Magazine’s Annual 500 list, released on newsstands Nov. 1. With an impressive 3,583 percent growth since 2001, Moe’s is the highest ranked food & beverage company and the only Restaurant to make the ranking.

The list, which spotlighted early successes of prime-time players Stonyfield Farms, Jamba Juice and Domino’s Pizza, points not only to the growing success of Moe’s Southwest Grill but also to its parent company Raving Brands, an Atlanta-based Franchise portfolio company with seven other fast-growing concepts.

“Moe’s Southwest Grill’s position on the list is a great testament to the work of Founder Martin Sprock and all the partners, franchisees and consumers who have believed in the power of this fantastic brand,” said Steve LaMastra, Raving Brands chief operating officer.

With current revenue of $160.3 million up from the $126.2 million at the time of the Inc. 500 ranking and 300 stores operating by the end of 2005, Moe’s ability to serve great southwestern food based on fresh ingredients wrapped up in a casual, irreverent atmosphere has been a true recipe for success in the competitive fast-casual marketplace.

“As both Raving Brands and Moe’s continue to grow, we are more committed than ever to leveraging our expertise and experience throughout our entire brand portfolio to deliver fast-growing, breakthrough brands that are profitable and produce a cult-like following,” said Brian Curin, vice president of marketing for Raving Brands.

Moe’s Southwest Grill is the fastest growing concept under the Raving Brands umbrella but with three new concepts debuted in 2005 alone, it looks like there will be some sibling rivalry at the Raving Brands dinner table. The seven other concepts within Raving Brands portfolio are: Mama Fu’s Asian House, already a 2004 Nation's Restaurant News “Fast 50” brand, Doc Green’s Gourmet Salads, Boneheads Grilled Fish and Piri Piri Chicken, Monkey Joe’s, Planet Smoothie Café, Shane’s Rib Shack, PJ’s Coffee/PJ’s Coffee and Wine Bar.

The Inc. 500 ranks U.S.-based, privately owned companies based on cumulative three-year sales growth from 2001 through 2004.

About Moe’s Southwest Grill

Moe’s Southwest Grill offers fun, fresh Southwest cuisine with a healthy twist. The Atlanta-based company was founded by Martin Sprock in December 2000 and currently has 800 franchise units signed for 38 states. Moe’s Southwest Grill ranks number 11 in Inc. Magazine’s 2005 Top 500 ranking of the fastest-growing private companies and was presented with the 2004 “Hot Concepts!” award. “Hot Concepts!” is presented by Equal® and managed and produced by Nation’s Restaurant News. Moe’s Southwest Grill is part of Raving Brands, which also Franchises Mama Fu’s Asian House, Doc Green’s Gourmet Salads, Boneheads Grilled Fish and Piri Piri Chicken, Monkey Joe’s, Planet Smoothie Café, Shane’s Rib Shack, PJ’s Coffee/PJ’s Coffee and Wine Bar.

About Raving Brands

Founded in 2000, Atlanta-based Raving Brands currently consists of eight concepts: five fast-casual, two beverage-focused dining establishments and one family entertainment facility. The company’s fast-casual concepts include: Moe's Southwest Grill, a 2005 Inc. magazine’s Top 25 Company and a Nation’s Restaurant News 2004 Hot Concepts! Award Winner, Mama Fu's Asian House, a 2004 Nation's Restaurant News “Fast 50” brand, Doc Green's Gourmet Salads, Boneheads Grilled Fish and Piri Piri Chicken and Shane's Rib Shack. PJ's Coffee/PJ’s Coffee and Wine Bar and Planet Smoothie Café represent the portfolio’s beverage concepts. Monkey Joe’s will be the first family entertainment concept under the company’s portfolio. Collectively, Raving Brands expects to open more than 1,000 locations nationwide by 2008.