Companies and Brands
These Are the Fastest-Growing Brands in Each State This Year
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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
Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
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
christiannafzger / iStock via Getty Images
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
Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
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
Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
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
rarrarorro / iStock via Getty Images
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
Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
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
Greetings from Delaware -- state capitol in Dover, state flower the peach blossom by Boston Public Library / BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
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
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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
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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
Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
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
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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
Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
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
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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
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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
Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
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
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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
Cuckold Light, Boothbay Harbor, Maine by littlelionkat / BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
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
Maryland Flag by Thad Zajdowicz / BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
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
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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
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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
jimkruger / E+ via Getty Images
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
Tiago_Fernandez / iStock via Getty Images
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
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
AUDREY SCRIPP / iStock via Getty Images
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
Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
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
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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
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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
DenisTangneyJr / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
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
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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
Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
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
jbentley09 / iStock via Getty Images
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
pawel.gaul / iStock via Getty Images
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
SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
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
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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
Christopher Ames / E+ via Getty Images
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
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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
Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
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
SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
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
Peeter Viisimaa / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
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
Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
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
Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
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
marchello74 / iStock via Getty Images
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
benedek / iStock via Getty Images
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%)
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