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Emerging Brands

New brands and soon-to-open concepts worth watching

Emerging Brands

Bluestone Lane co-founder launches new rotisserie chicken concept with a wood-fired twist

 By Lisa Jennings on Apr. 16, 2026

Rosto in the New York suburbs is designed to be a "clean ingredient" (mostly) takeout or delivery option. CEO Jonathan Krieger hopes to grow it.

Emerging Brands

Let Bonrue Bakery's boomlet begin

 By Lisa Jennings on Apr. 16, 2026

This Utah-based chain is planning to go from three to 10 locations in two years with a hub-and-spoke model.

Emerging Brands

Roll Em Up Taquitos disputes damaging accusations from franchisees

By Lisa Jennings on Apr. 14, 2026

The 10-unit fast-casual chain clapped back at a lawsuit filed by five franchisees, saying that they were not good operators.

Emerging Brands

Franchisee lawsuit describes Roll Em Up Taquitos as a Ponzi scheme

By Lisa Jennings on Apr. 10, 2026

A group of current and former franchise operators allege fraud, saying the franchisor misrepresented the viability of the fast-casual business, leaving them stuck with hundreds of thousands in losses.

Emerging Brands

Prince St. Pizza's latest investor knows how to grow restaurant chains

By Lisa Jennings on Apr. 07, 2026

One of Dave's Hot Chicken's first and largest franchisees is backing this growing by-the-slice Sicilian-style square pizza brand. Will Prince St. grow as fast?

Emerging Brands

Multi-brand Thompson Restaurants to add franchising to the mix

By Lisa Jennings on Apr. 03, 2026

A division of Thompson Hospitality, the family-owned operation has been growing largely through acquisition, licensing and creating in-house brands. Now the group's Wiseguy Pizza is franchising.

Emerging Brands

The year of redefining Indian food in America

By Lisa Jennings on Apr. 03, 2026

Mom-and-pop curry houses are giving way to a new genre of South Asian dining that shakes off stereotypes and creates something new. Will 2026 be the breakout year for Indian restaurants?

Emerging Brands

Plant-based Clover Food Lab warns of entire chain closure

By Lisa Jennings on Apr. 02, 2026

The 11-unit fast-casual chain based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, notified the state that 182 workers could be laid off at the end of May if a buyer is not found.

Emerging Brands

Sushi by Bou wants to bring omakase to the people

By Lisa Jennings on Mar. 30, 2026

The company behind this lively, less-than-$100 multi-course sushi adventure is positioning as a hotel amenity that can squeeze into luggage closets. The weirder the space, the better the speakeasy vibe.

Emerging Brands

Denver's Maria Empanada sets nontraditional path

By Lisa Jennings on Mar. 26, 2026

This will be a year of foundation building as CEO Andrew Jaffe prepares next steps for the chain featuring "perfectly imperfect" Argentinian pastries.

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