These Are the Fastest-Growing Brands in Each State This Year

Companies and Brands

Published: April 18, 2024 8:55 am

Yelp, a leading provider of crowd-sourced local business reviews and social networking, has released its inaugural list of the 50 fastest-growing brands of the past year. The firm ranked businesses based on such data as net new location openings, consumer interest, and searches. (The full methodology can be found here.)

Yelp identifies many of the restaurant and retail brands on its list as challenger brands. That is, they are not market leaders but aim to compete by disrupting their industries. These include Cava Grill, Scooter’s Coffee, and Wawa, which all did exceptionally well last year. (See 29 iconic brands that completely collapsed and we forgot.)

In addition, Yelp ranked the fastest-growing brands by region and state. Denizens of both the Northeast and the South were all in for Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers. In the Midwest, Scooter’s Coffee topped the list. The same drive-through coffee chain was popular in the West, though it was bested by apparel brand Levi Strauss.

Here is a breakdown of Yelp’s findings state by state. Note that each state’s population data comes from the 2020 national census, and the growth is compared with the 2010 census.

Alabama

Fastest-Growing Brand: Cava (a Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant chain)
Runners Up: Olive Garden, Scooter’s Coffee, Ace Hardware
State Population (growth): 5.11 million (+5.12%)

Alaska

Fastest-Growing Brand: Ace Hardware (a chain of independently owned hardware stores)
Runners Up: Cinnabon, L&L Hawaiian Barbecue, Nordstrom
State Population (growth): 0.73 million (+3.26%)

Arizona

Fastest-Growing Brand: Habit Burger Grill (a California-based fast-casual restaurant chain)
Runners Up: HomeGoods, Costco Wholesale, Jack in the Box
State Population (growth): 7.43 million (+11.88%)

Arkansas

Fastest-Growing Brand: Scooter’s Coffee (an Omaha-based drive-through coffee chain)
Runners Up: Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Olive Garden, Insomnia Cookies
State Population (growth): 3.07 million (+3.28%)

California

Fastest-Growing Brand: Cava (a Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant chain)
Runners Up: LongHorn Steakhouse, Habit Burger Grill, Jack in the Box
State Population (growth): 38.97 million (+6.13%)

Colorado

Fastest-Growing Brand: Cava (a Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant chain)
Runners Up: Panera Bread, Insomnia Cookies, Cinnabon
State Population (growth): 5.88 million (+14.8%)

Connecticut

Fastest-Growing Brand: Ace Hardware (a chain of independently owned hardware stores)
Runners Up: Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Panera Bread, Krispy Krunchy Chicken
State Population (growth): 3.62 million (+0.89%)

Delaware

Fastest-Growing Brand: Costco Wholesale (a membership-only big-box warehouse club retailer)
Runners Up: HomeGoods, Ace Hardware, First Watch
State Population (growth): 1.03 million (+10.25%)

District of Columbia

Fastest-Growing Brand: Ace Hardware (a chain of independently owned hardware stores)
Runners Up: Insomnia Cookies, Kung Fu Tea, Nordstrom
State Population (growth): 0.68 million (+14.60%)

Florida

Fastest-Growing Brand: Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers (a Baton Rouge-based fast-food chain)
Runners Up: Scooter’s Coffee, Cava, Wawa
State Population (growth): 22.61 million (+14.56%)

Georgia

Fastest-Growing Brand: Cava (a Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant chain)
Runners Up: Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Jersey Mike’s Subs, L&L Hawaiian Barbecue
State Population (growth): 11.03 million (+10.57%)

Hawaii

Fastest-Growing Brand: Jack in the Box (a San Diego-based fast-food chain)
Runners Up: L&L Hawaiian Barbecue, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Ace Hardware
State Population (growth): 1.44 million (+6.98%)

Idaho

Fastest-Growing Brand: Olive Garden (an Italian-American restaurant chain)
Runners Up: Jack in the Box, Ace Hardware, Crumbl Cookies
State Population (growth): 1.96 million (+17.32%)

Illinois

Fastest-Growing Brand: Kung Fu Tea (a chain of franchised bubble tea outlets)
Runners Up: Scooter’s Coffee, Olive Garden, Culver’s
State Population (growth): 12.55 million (−0.14%)

Indiana

Fastest-Growing Brand: Rally House (a Kansas-based sports apparel retailer)
Runners Up: Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Jersey Mike’s Subs, Culver’s
State Population (growth): 6.86 million (+4.65%)

Iowa

Fastest-Growing Brand: Rally House (a Kansas-based sports apparel retailer)
Runners Up: Scooter’s Coffee, Ace Hardware, Olive Garden
State Population (growth): 3.21 million (+4.73%)

Kansas

Fastest-Growing Brand: Nordstrom (an upscale department store chain)
Runners Up: Marco’s Pizza, Red Wing Shoes, Rally House
State Population (growth): 2.94 million (+2.97%)

Kentucky

Fastest-Growing Brand: Scooter’s Coffee (an Omaha-based drive-through coffee chain)
Runners Up: LongHorn Steakhouse, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Rally House
State Population (growth): 4.53 million (+3.84%)

Louisiana

Fastest-Growing Brand: Red Wing Shoes (a Minnesota-based footwear brand)
Runners Up: Insomnia Cookies, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Ace Hardware
State Population (growth): 4.57 million (+2.74%)

Maine

Fastest-Growing Brand: Olive Garden (an Italian-American restaurant chain)
Runners Up: Nordstrom, Ace Hardware, Charleys Philly Steaks
State Population (growth): 1.40 million (+2.56%)

Maryland

Fastest-Growing Brand: First Watch (a Florida-based restaurant specializing in breakfast)
Runners Up: Kung Fu Tea, Jersey Mike’s Subs, Rack Room Shoes
State Population (growth): 6.18 million (+6.99%)

Massachusetts

Fastest-Growing Brand: Panera Bread (a St. Louis-based bakery and cafe chain)
Runners Up: Ashley, Cava, Insomnia Cookies
State Population (growth): 7.00 million (+7.37%)

Michigan

Fastest-Growing Brand: Scooter’s Coffee (an Omaha-based drive-through coffee chain)
Runners Up: Caribou Coffee, LongHorn Steakhouse, Ace Hardware
State Population (growth): 10.04 million (+1.96%)

Minnesota

Fastest-Growing Brand: Scooter’s Coffee (an Omaha-based drive-through coffee chain)
Runners Up: Culver’s, Costco Wholesale, Caribou Coffee
State Population (growth): 5.74 million (+7.59%)

Mississippi

Fastest-Growing Brand: Marble Slab Creamery (an Atlanta-based chain of ice cream shops)
Runners Up: Jack’s, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Krispy Krunchy Chicken
State Population (growth): 2.94 million (−0.20%)

Missouri

Fastest-Growing Brand: LongHorn Steakhouse (an Orlando-based restaurant chain)
Runners Up: Scooter’s Coffee, Panera Bread, Once Upon a Child
State Population (growth): 6.20 million (+2.77%)

Montana

Fastest-Growing Brand: Ace Hardware (a chain of independently owned hardware stores)
Runners Up: Costco Wholesale, Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers, Nothing Bundt Cakes
State Population (growth): 1.13 million (+9.58%)

Nebraska

Fastest-Growing Brand: Rally House (a Kansas-based sports apparel retailer)
Runners Up: Scooter’s Coffee, Ace Hardware, Culver’s
State Population (growth): 1.98 million (+7.40%)

Nevada

Fastest-Growing Brand: Ace Hardware (a chain of independently owned hardware stores)
Runners Up: Jersey Mike’s Subs, L&L Hawaiian Barbecue
State Population (growth): 3.19 million (+14.96%)

New Hampshire

Fastest-Growing Brand: Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen (a Miami-based chain of fried chicken restaurants)
Runners Up: REI, HomeGoods, Ashely
State Population (growth): 1.40 million (+4.66%)

New Jersey

Fastest-Growing Brand: Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers (a Wichita-based chain)
Runners Up: Cava, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Wawa
State Population (growth): 9.29 million (+5.65%)

New Mexico

Fastest-Growing Brand: Dutch Bros (an Oregon-based drive-through coffee chain)
Runners Up: Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Scooter’s Coffee, Ace Hardware
State Population (growth): 2.11 million (+2.83%)

New York

Fastest-Growing Brand: Playa Bowls (a chain offering fruit-based and other treats)
Runners Up: Jersey Mike’s Subs, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Cava
State Population (growth): 19.57 million (+4.25%)

North Carolina

Fastest-Growing Brand: Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers (a Wichita-based chain)
Runners Up: Ashley, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Cava
State Population (growth): 10.84 million (+9.48%)

North Dakota

Fastest-Growing Brand: Costco Wholesale (a membership-only big-box warehouse club retailer)
Runners Up: Ace Hardware, Crumbl Cookies, Culver’s
State Population (growth): 0.78 million (+15.83%)

Ohio

Fastest-Growing Brand: First Watch (a Florida-based restaurant specializing in breakfast)
Runners Up: Caribou Coffee, Levi Strauss, Rally House
State Population (growth): 11.79 million (+2.28%)

Oklahoma

Fastest-Growing Brand: Mod Pizza (a Seattle-based fast-casual pizza restaurant chain)
Runners Up: Rally House, Scooter’s Coffee, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers
State Population (growth): 4.05 million (+5.54%)

Oregon

Fastest-Growing Brand: Kung Fu Tea (a chain of franchised bubble tea outlets)
Runners Up: Nordstrom, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Krispy Krunchy Chicken
State Population (growth): 4.23 million (+10.60%)

Pennsylvania

Fastest-Growing Brand: Cava (a Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant chain)
Runners Up: Rally House, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers
State Population (growth): 12.96 million (+2.36%)

Rhode Island

Fastest-Growing Brand: Ace Hardware (a chain of independently owned hardware stores)
Runners Up: Ethan Allen, Insomnia Cookies, Panera Bread
State Population (growth): 1.10 million (+4.26%)

South Carolina

Fastest-Growing Brand: Habit Burger Grill (a California-based fast-casual restaurant chain)
Runners Up: Kung Fu Tea, Jersey Mike’s Subs, Cava
State Population (growth): 5.37 million (+10.66%)

South Dakota

Fastest-Growing Brand: Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers (a Wichita-based chain)
Runners Up: Caribou Coffee, Scooter’s Coffee, Ace Hardware
State Population (growth): 0.92 million (+8.90%)

Tennessee

Fastest-Growing Brand: Kung Fu Tea (a chain of franchised bubble tea outlets)
Runners Up: Scooter’s Coffee, Ace Hardware, Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers
State Population (growth): 7.13 million (+8.90%)

Texas

Fastest-Growing Brand: Scooter’s Coffee (an Omaha-based drive-through coffee chain)
Runners Up: Bojangles, Jack in the Box, L&L Hawaiian Barbecue
State Population (growth): 30.50 million (+15.91%)

Utah

Fastest-Growing Brand: Jack in the Box (a San Diego-based fast-food chain)
Runners Up: Scooter’s Coffee, Habit Burger Grill, LongHorn Steakhouse
State Population (growth): 3.42 million (+18.37%)

Vermont

Fastest-Growing Brand: Ace Hardware (a chain of independently owned hardware stores)
Runners Up: Olive Garden, Panera Bread, REI
State Population (growth): 0.65 million (+2.77%)

Virginia

Fastest-Growing Brand: Crumbl Cookies (a Utah-based chain of franchise bakeries)
Runners Up: Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Ashley, Wawa
State Population (growth): 8.72 million (+7.88%)

Washington

Fastest-Growing Brand: Nordstrom (an upscale department store chain)
Runners Up: Mod Pizza, Ace Hardware, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen
State Population (growth): 7.81 million (+14.58%)

West Virginia

Fastest-Growing Brand: LongHorn Steakhouse (an Orlando-based restaurant chain)
Runners Up: Ace Hardware, Charleys Philly Steaks, Marco’s Pizza
State Population (growth): 1.77 million (−3.20%)

Wisconsin

Fastest-Growing Brand: Scooter’s Coffee (an Omaha-based drive-through coffee chain)
Runners Up: Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, Olive Garden, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen
State Population (growth): 5.91 million (+3.64%)

Wyoming

Fastest-Growing Brand: Jersey Mike’s Subs (a New Jersey-based submarine sandwich chain)
Runners Up: Caribou Coffee, Krispy Krunchy Chicken, Panera Bread
State Population (growth): 0.58 million (+2.35%)

∴

Want to Retire Early? Start Here ^(Sponsor)

Want retirement to come a few years earlier than you’d planned? Or are you ready to retire now, but want an extra set of eyes on your finances?

Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help you build your plan to retire early. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.

Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.

Have questions about retirement or personal finance? Email us at [email protected]!

By emailing your questions to 24/7 Wall St., you agree to have them published anonymously on a673b.bigscoots-temp.com.

By submitting your story, you understand and agree that we may use your story, or versions of it, in all media and platforms, including via third parties.

Read more: Companies and Brands, Ace Hardware, Cava Grill, fastest-growing brands, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.

Has Apple Sold 20 Million iPhone 15s?

5 Sizzling Cathie Wood ARK Investment Stocks Trade...

The State With The Highest Divorce Rate

These Americans Own the Most Guns: Every State Ranked