Guides
Honest reads on finding the local, independent spots and spotting the chains hiding in plain sight.
Is Cava a Chain?
Cava is a publicly traded chain (NYSE: CAVA) with 476 company-owned US restaurants as of July 2026. Who owns it, why it never franchises, and why it feels local.
Is Sweetgreen a Chain?
Sweetgreen is a publicly traded chain (NYSE: SG) with 287 company-owned restaurants as of mid-2026 and no franchisees. Who owns it and how many locations there are.
Is Shake Shack a Chain?
Shake Shack is a publicly traded chain (NYSE: SHAK) with 703 locations as of July 2026. Who owns it, Danny Meyer's stake, whether it franchises, and the original Shack.
Is In-N-Out a Chain?
In-N-Out Burger has more than 430 locations in ten states, is privately held, family owned, and has never franchised. Who owns it and why it is not locally owned.
Is Culver's a Chain?
Culver's had 1,041 restaurants in 26 states at the end of 2025, nearly all franchised. Privately held, no stock ticker, Culver family majority, Roark minority.
Is Jeni's a Chain?
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams has more than 90 scoop shops in 15 states, private equity investors, and a new franchise program. Who owns it and whether it is public.
Is Snooze a Chain?
Snooze an A.M. Eatery runs roughly 70 company-owned restaurants in 10 states, majority-owned by private equity firm Stripes since 2016. Who owns it, franchise and IPO facts.
Is Dave's Hot Chicken a Chain?
Dave's Hot Chicken is a franchised chain of roughly 400 restaurants. Roark Capital bought a majority stake in June 2025. Who owns it and whether it trades publicly.
Is First Watch a Chain?
First Watch is a publicly traded breakfast chain (Nasdaq: FWRG) with 665 restaurants in 33 states as of mid-2026. Who owns it now and whether it franchises.
Is Whataburger a Chain?
Whataburger has been majority owned by BDT Capital (now BDT & MSD Partners) since 2019, not the Dobson family. Who owns it now, franchise facts, and whether it is public.
Is Dutch Bros a Chain?
Dutch Bros is a publicly traded coffee chain (NYSE: BROS) with 1,225 shops in 25 states as of mid-2026. Who owns it, whether it franchises, and where the beans come from.
Is Torchy's Tacos a Chain?
Torchy's Tacos runs about 120 company-owned restaurants in 16 states, controlled by investors led by General Atlantic. Franchise, stock market, and ownership facts.
Is Cooper's Hawk a Chain?
Cooper's Hawk runs about 76 company-owned restaurants in 14 states and is controlled by Ares Management. Who owns it, its IPO status, and whether it franchises.
Is Mendocino Farms a Chain?
Mendocino Farms opened its 100th location in June 2026 and has been majority-owned by private equity firm TPG since 2017. Who owns it and whether it franchises.
Is North Italia a Chain?
North Italia is owned by The Cheesecake Factory (Nasdaq: CAKE), which bought it in 2019. 51 locations as of mid-2026, none franchised. Why it feels independent.
Is Flower Child a Chain?
Flower Child is owned by The Cheesecake Factory (Nasdaq: CAKE) through Fox Restaurant Concepts since 2019. 43 company-owned locations, none franchised. The money trail.
Is Hopdoddy a Chain?
Hopdoddy Burger Bar has 47 locations in eight states. Founders Table, owner of Chopt, bought it in June 2026 with L Catterton behind both. Who owns it, franchise facts.
Is True Food Kitchen a Chain?
True Food Kitchen is a private-equity-controlled chain of 46 restaurants co-founded by Dr. Andrew Weil and Sam Fox, with Oprah among its investors. Who owns it today.
Is Lazy Dog a Chain?
Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar is a company-owned chain of 51 locations in eight states, majority-owned by Brentwood Associates since 2013. Who runs it, franchise and IPO facts.
Is Velvet Taco a Chain?
Velvet Taco looks like a boutique one-off but is a private-equity-backed chain of 54 restaurants in eight states, owned by Leonard Green & Partners since 2021.