Restaurant Business’ list of the highest-grossing independent restaurants has been topped by the same spot for the fourth year in a row.Facebook/TAO
- Restaurant Business magazine ranks the highest-grossing independent restaurants each year.
- This year’s top 10 featured many of the same names as last year.
- Each was able to bring in over $20 million in gross food and beverage sales.
Independent restaurants are on the rise as customers are increasingly turning away from national chains. Still, it’s difficult to run a restaurant without the benefit of a recognizable brand, which makes it all the more impressive that some independent restaurants are able to bring in tens of millions of dollars in sales each year.
These are the 10 highest-grossing independent restaurants, according to Restaurant Business magazine. All stats are for 2017, and only restaurants with five or fewer locations were considered.
10. Gibsons Bar and Steakhouse — Chicago
Facebook/Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse
The Chicago institution is the only steakhouse in the country to receive a USDA Prime Certification for the beef it sources in-house.
Sales: $24,700,825
Average Check: $75
Meals Served: 363,301
9. Bryant Park Grill & Café — New York City
Located behind the New York Public Library, Bryant Park Grill & Café has been called “a gorgeous pavilion” by The New York Times.
Sales: $25,400,000
Average Check: $50 (Restaurant Business magazine estimate)
Meals Served: 420,000
8. Smith & Wollensky — New York City
The restaurant is known for its National Wine Week celebrations, which occur three times each year. It’s also a favorite of Warren Buffett.
Sales: $25,961,337
Average Check: $100
Meals Served: 296,723
7. Lavo New York — New York City
Tracy Chung for Business Insider
This Italian restaurant doubles as an exclusive nightclub.
Sales: $26,822,655
Average Check: $85
Meals Served: 200,000
6. The Boathouse Orlando — Orlando, Florida
Aside from fresh seafood, the restaurant also offers tours of Disney Springs via boats designed to look like classic cars.
Sales: $30,814,369
Average Check: $43
Meals Served: 643,829
5. Old Ebbitt Grill — Washington, DC
One of only two restaurants to break the 1 million mark, Old Ebbitt Grill served more meals than any other restaurant on Restaurant Business’ list.
Sales: $32,662,051
Average Check: $39
Meals Served: 1,072,293
4. Carmine’s — New York City
The Italian restaurant now delivers.
Sales: $33,147,017
Average Check: $33
Meals Served: 396,871
3. Tao Downtown — New York City
Despite its impressive revenue, Tao Downtown has received less impressive reviews.
Sales: $33,401,819
Average Check: $95
Meals Served: 311,945
2. Joe’s Stone Crab — Miami Beach, Florida
Barack Obama was reported to have had Joe’s Stone Crab delivered before a presidential debate in 2012.
Sales: $37,243,159
Average Check: $80
Meals Served: 316,000
1. Tao Las Vegas — Las Vegas
Tao Las Vegas topped this list for the fourth year in a row as the only independent restaurant to bring in over $40 million last year.
Sales: $42,470,345
Average Check: $90
Meals Served: 226,146
