Three local restaurant chains earn recognition

Columbus is a restaurant town, and the local joints have gotten some notice.

Restaurant Business Magazine, a trade publication, published its annual Future 50 list, which recognizes smaller chains that are experiencing big growth. Three central Ohio chains are represented: Bibibop, Piada and Pies and Pints.

Bibibop came in No. 6 with 89 percent revenue growth compared with last year and more than twice as many stores. The Korean-inspired restaurant, founded by Charley Shin, doubled its footprint and landed in big markets such as Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles overnight last year when it acquired the leases for Chipotle’s failed ShopHouse concept. This was Bibibop’s first year on the list.

Pies and Pints was No. 41 with revenue growth of 33 percent. The beer and pizza concept, run by Rob Lindeman, now has 15 locations spread from Ohio to Alabama.

Piada landed at No. 47. The Italian fast-casual chain, founded by Chris Doody, showed revenue growth of 29 percent and now has more than 40 stores in states as far flung as Texas and Minnesota.

City Barbeque, another local chain that has appeared on the list in prior years, has 46 locations and is too big to qualify.

The top five on this year’s Future 50 are: CoreLife, the Halal Guys, Wahlburgers, Maple Street Biscuit Co. and Honeygrow. Other notables with local stores are Duck Donuts (No. 10) and Bakersfield (No. 48).