• by Karlene Lukovitz  @KLmarketdaily, August 3, 2012

Five Guys Burgers and Fries came out on top in the 2012 rankings of the 15 hottest restaurants from the National Retail Federation’s Stores magazine, based on 2011 U.S. sales growth by percentage.

Five Guys -- which saw U.S. sales jump by 48% last year to $921 million -- was also #1 in last year’s rankings. The rankings are compiled by Kantar Retail.

The other chains in last year’s top four also held their positions this year. Jimmy John’s ranks #2, with 2011 U.S. sales growth of 28.3% to $953 million; Chipotle Mexican Grill ranks #3, with 23.5% growth to $2.26 million; and BJ’s Restaurants ranks #4, with 20.8% growth to $621 million.

Four chains not on last year’s list made the 2012 rankings: Noodles & Company (#8, +17% to $304 million); Dunkin’ Brands (#13, +8.7% to $6.43 million for combined U.S. Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins units); frozen-custard chain Culver Franchising System (#14, +8.2% to $718 million); and multi-chain operator Darden Restaurants (#15, + 8.1% to $7.9 million).

Others making this year’s rankings:  Cheddar’s Casual Café (#5, +20.5% to $438 million); Buffalo Wild Wings (#6, +19.8% to $2.04 million); Panda Restaurant Group (#7, +17.1% to $1.46 million); Wingstop Restaurants (#9, +16.4% to $361 million); Chick-fil-A (#10, +13.1% to $4.05 million); Panera Bread Company (#11, +12.8% to nearly $3.4 million); and Papa Murphy’s (#12, +10% to $694 million). 

Stores’s full rankings table also shows the chains’ 2011 international sales and the U.S. shares of their total sales, where applicable, and each chain’s number of store locations and unit growth rates for 2011.