Emerging Brands

New brands and soon-to-open concepts worth watching

Chipotle officially kills Farmesa as potential second concept

By Lisa Jennings on Apr. 25, 2024

Farmesa's healthful bowl menu was tested but CEO Brian Niccol said the company is focused on growing Chipotle into an iconic brand.

Emerging Brands

P.F. Chang's opens a fast-casual Asian bowl concept

By Peter Romeo on Apr. 16, 2024

A Pagoda by P.F. Chang's is operating in a suburban New York shopping mall. It's the chain's third crack at a fast-casual spinoff.

Emerging Brands

Buffalo Wild Wings has big plans for small-scale spinoff BWW Go

By Joe Guszkowski on Apr. 11, 2024

The full-service chicken wing chain this week opened its 100th Go location and has franchisee commitments to open nearly 600 more of the takeout-focused restaurants.

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Emerging Brands

How breakfast player Squeeze In is primping to find its future growth partner

By Lisa Jennings on Apr. 04, 2024

Squeeze In is known for omelets, generously boozy brunch cocktails and a joyfully wacky community vibe. Here's how the two sisters who own the brand plan to reach 100 units within a decade.

Emerging Brands

Punch Bowl Social plans growth with two acquired concepts

By Lisa Jennings on Mar. 29, 2024

Chicago-based eatertainment chain Punch Bowl Social has acquired two new brands that it plans to grow. One is karaoke-concept Voicebox and the other is an immersive art experience called Sweet Tooth Hotel. Both have cocktail bars.

Emerging Brands

3 concepts from Asia are making their U.S. debut

By Lisa Jennings on Mar. 25, 2024

These three chains are big in Asia and elsewhere, but they opened units in the U.S. for the first time last week. Two are full-service concepts, from China and Mongolia, and a third is an innovative pastry shop from Taiwan.

Emerging Brands

Wonder raises $700M, says it's 'time to scale'

By Joe Guszkowski on Mar. 19, 2024

The delivery-centric food hall startup founded by entrepreneur Marc Lore has now raised $1.5 billion to date and plans to expand to 90 locations by the end of next year.

Emerging Brands

MrBeast Burger owner Virtual Dining Concepts acquires Man Vs Fries

By Joe Guszkowski on Mar. 18, 2024

The fry-centric virtual restaurant brand has nearly tripled in size since the acquisition thanks to partnerships with Mexican chains such as On the Border and Monterey’s Little Mexico.

Emerging Brands