Eatery With Darien Location Named To List Of Fastest-Growing Emerging Restaurant Chains

DARIEN, CT — Naya Middle Eastern Counter & Grill, the New York City-based fast-casual restaurant chain that opened up its first Connecticut location in Darien in 2023, has been named to Nation’s Restaurant News’ (NRN) 2025 "100 Under 100" list, which recognizes the nation’s fastest-growing restaurant chains with fewer than 100 locations.

Curated in partnership with Technomic, a leader in foodservice information, the 100 Under 100 list highlights emerging brands with the highest unit-count growth between 2023 and 2024.

"Being named to the '100 Under 100' list is a proud milestone for our team," said Naya founder & CEO, Hady Kfoury, in a news release. "It reflects the growing appetite for fresh, authentic Lebanese cuisine and validates the hard work we’ve put into building a brand rooted in quality, hospitality, and community."

According to NRN, Naya has plans to scale to 200 locations by 2030, with a strong focus on major East Coast markets.

As part of their expansion, Naya will open its first airport location and first licensed franchise in December 2025 at Terminal 8 of New York City's JFK Airport. This upcoming location will also be the first to debut breakfast.

Naya opened in Darien in June 2023 within Darien Commons at 146 Heights Road.

Created in 2010, Naya has established a reputation for offering up exquisite flavors and showcasing time-honored recipes passed down through generations. Guests can find authentic, fresh, and nutritious Middle Eastern/Mediterranean meals

"You're getting a fresh, authentic, and most importantly, healthy meal," Kfoury told Patch during Naya's grand opening event two years ago. "People can expect a very lovely, inviting environment here."

There are over 30 Naya locations across Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts. Locations are planned for Westport and Stamford.

Honorees of NRN's list are visually marked with a yellow-and-white "100 Under 100" badge across NRN’s digital platform.