Five emerging restaurant brands with potential for growth as pandemic restrictions lift

Growing a young brand is never easy, and it became all the more difficult after the pandemic changed everything.

Still, emerging brands continue to adapt and show promise, and that’s what we looked for in this year’s class of Breakout Brands. The Restaurant Hospitality editorial team set out to find brands that represented a cross-section of the industry, from fast casual to full service — though some are operating for takeout and delivery only for the time being.

In this report, you’ll see a concept built around Native American ingredients and culinary traditions, one that capitalizes on the simple versatility of roasted chicken, a community-specific coffeeshop hangout, a gourmet wrap sandwich concept offering the “ideal bite,” and a steak-frites restaurant with a short menu that works.

All of these concepts have fewer than 10 locations and are poised for growth. Meet the 2021 class of Breakout Brands.