Quick casual restaurants, with their fresh high-quality food, fast service and moderate check averages, have enjoyed strong consumer appeal. Once a novelty in the restaurant industry, the quick casual segment has now grown into a major stand-alone category.

To provide in-depth analysis of the segment's performance, Technomic has released its new 2006 Technomic Top 100 Quick Casual Chain Restaurant Report. The only publication of its kind to offer rankings, analysis and profiles of the leading chains, the report helps chain organizations and suppliers to the industry improve their understanding of the quick casual segment and spot important growth opportunities.

The report is also unique in that it "defines" quick casual and analyzes the composition of its major menu categories, including Mexican, sandwich, bakery cafe, Asian, pizza, Italian, and chicken - highlighting which categories are most developed and which continue to offer underdeveloped opportunities. It also reports on the emerging top 100 quick casual players - who they are, where they are located and what they offer, including breakdowns by breakfast, lunch, dinner and those offering adult beverages.

                   Five Largest Quick Casual Chains
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Rank   Chain                       2005 U.S. Sales    % Sales Change
                                            ($000)
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1      Panera Bread                  $1,596,600                28.6%
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2      Boston Market                    695,000(a)              5.3
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3      Chipotle                         635,577                27.1
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4      El Pollo Loco                    478,121                11.6
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5      Zaxby's                          390,000(a)             62.5
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(a) Technomic estimate.

Other findings presented in the 2006 Technomic Top 100 Quick Casual Chain Restaurant Report:

-- The quick casual market is estimated at $10-11 billion in sales per year, and growing quickly.

-- Future growth opportunities remain strong, with growth rates for quick casual restaurants surpassing that of traditional quick-service restaurants.

-- The largest segments, Mexican, bakery cafe and chicken, all show significant growth at 18, 21, and 20 percent, respectively.

The 2006 Technomic Top 100 Quick Casual Chain Restaurant Report is offered by Technomic Information Services, a division of Technomic, Inc. To learn more, visit www.foodpubs.com

About Technomic Information Services

Technomic Information Services has been tracking the foodservice industry for over 40 years, providing industry intelligence, forecasts, data and training support to manufacturers, operators, distributors and others allied to the field. Our numerous publications and digital products--featuring quick-read newsletters, analytical annual reports, training handbooks, sales guides and restaurant chain profiles--help industry leaders keep a finger on the pulse of the entire foodservice terrain. Technomic Information Services delivers distinctive, premium content to its customers.

About Technomic, Inc.

Technomic provides food and foodservice clients with the research, insights and strategic consulting support they need to enhance their business strategies, decisions and results. Its services include category and channel analyses, customer satisfaction studies, opportunity assessments, benchmarking programs and brand equity enhancement.