---
title: "Thrillist: 12 Chains About to Blow Up"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/a5b9052b-4370-448d-b9ca-69468d02f518
source: "1851 Franchise"
original_url: https://1851franchise.com/thrillist-12-chains-about-to-blow-up-1322
category: "Restaurants"
industry: "Restaurants"
published: 2015-03-20T19:14:00.000Z
modified: 2026-11-01T04:16:24.153Z
image: https://newimage.1851franchise.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=85,format=webp,width=1280,height=720/story/featureImage/68fd2113ed455d29c16b02d6b30eb9447140.jpg
---

# Thrillist: 12 Chains About to Blow Up

**TL;DR:** Thrillist compiled a list of 12 brands, including burrito and fast-casual sushi restaurants, expected to experience significant growth. Chipotle is getting competition from these emerging chains.

*originally published in 1851 Franchise on 2015-03-20. [Read the original](https://1851franchise.com/thrillist-12-chains-about-to-blow-up-1322).*

## Story

Chipotle, everyone’s favorite food coma, is getting a little competition. Thrillist compiled a list of 12 brands that are making headway in the fast casual segment. The publication gauged these on concept, expansion strategy and “practical use of tinfoil.” Which one would you stop at first?

Est. 1992, Iowa City, IA Number of locations: 65 What they do: Burritos with fresh tortillas and ingredients that are thoroughly mixed together with what they call "Bob the Tool" Why they might blow up: They carve out their own section of the burrito-market pie by upping the ante on ingredients and combating one of the food group's biggest pet peeves, uneven distribution of filling wealth.

Est. 2008, Los Angeles, CA Number of locations: 8 What they do: Fast-casual sushi with a strict sushi chef mentality Why they might blow up: Their signature use of warm rice makes the sushi experience more palatable for Americans. Also important: reasonable prices.

## Entities

- 1851 Franchise (publication)
- Restaurants (sector)
- fast casual (topic)
- Chipotle (company)
- restaurant growth (topic)
- chain expansion (topic)

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Originally reported by 1851 Franchise (https://1851franchise.com/thrillist-12-chains-about-to-blow-up-1322). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/a5b9052b-4370-448d-b9ca-69468d02f518).