Continue to Site >>>

Emerging Brands

New brands and soon-to-open concepts worth watching

Emerging Brands

When it comes to food halls, some are better than others

 By Lisa Jennings on Jul. 14, 2026

Dock Local has found a niche as a food hall seafood concept. Owner Brett Curtis looks for venues with a strong sense of community and social atmosphere.

Emerging Brands

For Postino WineCafe, ambiguity is an advantage

 By Joe Guszkowski on Jul. 14, 2026

The wine-and-bites chain has enjoyed a surge of popularity in part because it offers a little bit of everything. “You can do whatever you want in this restaurant,” says CEO Lauren Bailey.

Emerging Brands

This former fine-dining chef sees Korean kimbap as the next fast-casual vehicle

By Lisa Jennings on Jul. 10, 2026

New York Chef Jun Hee Park and co-founder Jeongmin Yoo have launched Roll Over Kimbap in Manhattan, with plans for growth.

Emerging Brands

Too Sweet Cakes plots evolution of wholesale and retail bakery into flagship cafe

By Lisa Jennings on Jul. 07, 2026

Shelbi Geyer has been saving to build a concept that is truly her own. It's scheduled to debut in Phoenix this fall.

Emerging Brands

Jinya founder launches Japanese bakery brand

By Lisa Jennings on Jun. 30, 2026

Tomo Takahashi, CEO of Jinya Holdings, is going in a new direction with the fast-casual Mikan Bakery & More, launched this week in Los Angeles.

Emerging Brands

Former Playa Bowls exec Dan Harmon named CEO of Pizzana

By Lisa Jennings on Jun. 29, 2026

The full-service Neapolitan pizza concept also has moved its home base from Los Angeles to Dallas. And, later this year, the chain plans to launch franchising.

Emerging Brands

A hot chicken concept gets a Peter Cancro touch

By Lisa Jennings on Jun. 23, 2026

The nine-unit Haven Hot Chicken in Connecticut is looking to grow with franchising. But the founders are doing it "Peter's Way."

Emerging Brands

In the shadow of drive-thru coffee giants like 7 Brew, there are tiny hopefuls like Lola Beans

By Lisa Jennings on Jun. 16, 2026

This Tennessee-based beverage concept is hoping to grow with a drop-and-go modular model. Despite the rapid growth of category leaders, many still see opportunity ahead.

Emerging Brands

This fast-casual burger concept was born from the ashes of Burgerim's collapse

By Lisa Jennings on Jun. 10, 2026

The five-unit iniBurger and sister brands is Halal certified. Founder Abdul Popal, a former Burgerim franchisee, hopes to tap into growing demand for clean ingredients.

Emerging Brands

For Clover Food Lab, an emotional week ends on a high note

By Jonathan Maze on Jun. 04, 2026

The plant-based chain, which closed last week, has been saved by an investor. Now the hard work of reopening the restaurants begins.

  • Page 1