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concepts

Emerging Brands

Why a small sandwich concept is breaking out of the fast-casual box

 By Heather Lalley on Apr. 07, 2022

Zunzi’s was doing well as a traditional fast casual, its CEO said, but then it added a bar and sales soared. Now, it’s changed its franchising plans.

Emerging Brands

3-unit Rasa scores some growth funding

 By Heather Lalley on Mar. 08, 2022

The Indian fast casual’s founders said the money will allow the chain to expand along the East Coast to offer its “authentic and accessible” fare in more cities.

Emerging Brands

Tony Roma’s gets ready for its fast casual debut

By Heather Lalley on Jan. 24, 2022

The 50-year-old casual-dining chain, which has shrunk to just seven U.S. units, sees a future in its smaller Bones & Burgers offshoot.

Emerging Brands

Friendly's plans a fast-casual entry

By Peter Romeo on Jan. 20, 2022

A scaled-down riff called Friendly's Cafe will fire up its kitchen next month.

Emerging Brands

Investors are betting big on these emerging chains

By Heather Lalley on Dec. 21, 2021

Money was slow to start flowing at the outset of 2021, but interest in emerging concepts picked up in the back half of the year.

Emerging Brands

Honeygrow gets back into growth mode

By Heather Lalley on Dec. 15, 2021

A few years after pressing pause, closing some units, and weathering the onset of the pandemic, the buzzed-about fast-casual says 2021 was its most profitable year so far.

Emerging Brands

Rice-focused Fieldtrip gets a minority investment to fuel its growth

By Heather Lalley on Dec. 03, 2021

Founders Table Restaurant Group, the parent of Chopt and Dos Toros, said the money will help the three-unit chain grow in New York City and elsewhere.

Emerging Brands

Inside fast-growing food-and-games concept Puttshack

By Heather Lalley on Nov. 15, 2021

The mini golf eatertainment brand, which opened its second U.S. store early this month, is slated to open five more locations next year after securing a $60 million investment last spring.

Emerging Brands

Rick Bayless-Jollibee fast-casual concept is getting ready to expand

By Heather Lalley on Nov. 05, 2021

One Tortazo unit opened just before the pandemic began, but a second location of the Mexican sandwich concept recently opened in New York City. The brand said it remains bullish on urban centers despite the challenges.

Emerging Brands

Pickleball craze gives rise to a new form of restaurant eatertainment

By Peter Romeo on Oct. 22, 2021

Multi-acre facilities sporting multiple food and beverage outlets are springing up to provide fans of the game with a place to play, eat and drink.

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