TheBuzz Erika Engle

Duke’s and sisters make parent proud

That is, companies that operate several different original restaurant concepts, or, types.

Hawaii-founded TS Restaurants is listed at No. 21 on this year's list, but here's the juicy part. The company says its 2006 sales were actually $110 million, far greater than the $88 million that R&I estimated.

Dickie Moon, vice president of operation services, decided TheBuzz oughta have the "real number," he said.

The industry publication's estimate of $85 million for last year's list was also "way low," he said last November. It was more like $108 million, Moon said.

This year's R&I list says TS Restaurants was at No. 18 last year, but its online archive as well as TheBuzz from last Nov. 8 shows TS has held steady at No. 21 -- according to the magazine's estimate of sales.

TS was No. 18 in 2005, was at No. 15 in 2004 and No. 10 in 2003, again, based on estimates.

Moon could not recall how many years the company has been among the nation's top multiconcept operators, as ranked by R&I.

TS' 2006 sales would actually put the company at No. 13 this year, if R&I's estimates for the six above it are accurate.

Even at No. 21, the parent of Duke's, Hula Grill, Kimo's and other restaurants would be shining above companies run by stellar celebrity chefs.

Emeril Lagasse's New Orleans-based Emeril's Homebase is at No. 24, based on reported sales of $80 million from 6 concepts and 9 restaurants.

Mario Batali Restaurants based in New York City is at No. 32 with the estimated and probably low $66 million from nine restaurants and concepts.

"Top Chef" fans might want to know that Tom Colicchio is at No. 59 with an estimated $40 million in sales from his Craft, Craftbar, Craftsteak and 'wichcraft eateries.

TS Restaurants has continued to grow, not in number of restaurants, but in sales, which Moon attributes to "hard work and great employees."

In addition to the hard work though, the management team is known for its different take on board meetings. They often take place on "surfboards or snowboards," Moon said.

"We gotta have fun," he said.