---
title: "Keke’s Named to 2025 NRN “100 Under 100” List for Rapid Growth"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/c9e73941-6f41-41c0-9985-31adc34dbdab
source: "1851 Franchise"
original_url: https://1851franchise.com/kekes-breakfast-cafe/kekes-breakfast-cafe-ranked-no-89-on-nrns-2025-100-under-100-list-of-emerging-restaurant-chains-2729969
category: "Restaurants"
industry: "Restaurants"
published: 2025-08-04T14:09:49.000Z
modified: 2026-11-01T00:53:06.256Z
image: https://newimage.1851franchise.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=85,format=webp,width=1280,height=720/story/featureImage/1754316616_2729969.png
---

# Keke’s Named to 2025 NRN “100 Under 100” List for Rapid Growth

**TL;DR:** Keke's Breakfast Cafe has been named to the 2025 NRN '100 Under 100' list for its rapid growth, with double-digit expansion in locations from 2023 to 2024. The brand, owned by Denny's Corporation, is growing steadily beyond its Florida beginnings with a hands-on role from Denny's in its expansion.

*originally published in 1851 Franchise on 2025-08-04. [Read the original](https://1851franchise.com/kekes-breakfast-cafe/kekes-breakfast-cafe-ranked-no-89-on-nrns-2025-100-under-100-list-of-emerging-restaurant-chains-2729969).*

## Story

Keke’s Breakfast Cafe has landed a spot on the 2025 “100 Under 100” list from Nation’s Restaurant News, coming in at No. 89. The Orlando-based breakfast and brunch franchise gained recognition this year for its rapid growth. From 2023 to 2024, the brand grew its number of locations by double digits, securing its place among the fastest-growing restaurant chains in the country with under 100 units.

The list, developed in partnership with Technomic, highlights restaurant concepts that are making outsized gains despite their smaller footprint. As many legacy chains see slower expansion, emerging brands like Keke’s are capturing the attention of consumers and investors alike with targeted growth strategies, strong unit economics and fresh branding.

Keke’s, which is owned by Denny’s Corporation, has been growing steadily beyond its Florida beginnings. Denny’s is playing a hands-on role in the brand’s expansion, with company-owned locations in markets like Dallas and Nashville. Led by President David Schmidt, Keke’s recently introduced a new restaurant design to refresh the brand’s image and help it stand out in the competitive breakfast space.

With an emphasis on fresh, customizable meals and a welcoming daytime dining atmosphere, the brand is attracting both franchisees and loyal customers across the Southeast and beyond, proving it’s a concept to watch in 2025.

## Entities

- 1851 Franchise (publication)
- Restaurants (sector)
- unit expansion (topic)
- Nation's Restaurant News (publication)
- Technomic (company)
- Denny's (company)
- Keke's Breakfast Cafe (company)
- rapid growth (topic)
- restaurant rankings (topic)
- Denny's acquisition of Keke's Breakfast Cafe (deal)

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Originally reported by 1851 Franchise (https://1851franchise.com/kekes-breakfast-cafe/kekes-breakfast-cafe-ranked-no-89-on-nrns-2025-100-under-100-list-of-emerging-restaurant-chains-2729969). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/c9e73941-6f41-41c0-9985-31adc34dbdab).