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Emerging Brands

New brands and soon-to-open concepts worth watching

Emerging Brands

They grew and sold Dave's Hot Chicken. Next up: birria tacos

 By Lisa Jennings on Feb. 17, 2026

After selling the fast-casual hot chicken concept last year, Dave's investors are applying the same playbook to Mike's Red Tacos, a two-unit San Diego concept they feel has national potential.

Emerging Brands

A former REIT king's next chapter: saving independent restaurants

 By Lisa Jennings on Feb. 09, 2026

Nick Schorsch Sr.'s Heritage Restaurant Group in Newport, Rhode Island, is buying up historic restaurants. His goal is to raise the bar for the resort town's food scene.

Emerging Brands

Ford's Garage is ready to step on the gas

By Joe Guszkowski on Feb. 04, 2026

The casual-dining chain will accelerate new openings in the coming years after finding strong demand for its retro, car-themed restaurants.

Emerging Brands

Former BJ's Restaurants exec Greg Levin named CEO of Starbird

By Lisa Jennings on Feb. 03, 2026

Levin is tasked with leading the "super-premium fast food" chain's next growth phase outside California.

Emerging Brands

How to turn a regional concept into a national chain

By Lisa Jennings on Jan. 28, 2026

Former Panera Bread and Tatte Bakery executive Shawn Utke has joined The Friendly Toast as CEO. His plan is to grow this New England brunch-all-day restaurant without killing its welcoming spirit and unconventional vibe.

Emerging Brands

It started with granola. Now these female CEOs hope to take this brunch-all-day concept national

By Lisa Jennings on Jan. 21, 2026

The Granola Bar is preparing to open two units in Manhattan that could change the trajectory of this suburban casual-dining brand. What makes it work is the partnership behind it.

Emerging Brands

Why Salad and Go will fail, according to its founders

By Lisa Jennings on Jan. 20, 2026

Tony and Roushan Christofellis sold the drive-thru salad concept to private equity in 2021 and then watched things go wrong. Now they are growing a new brand they believe will prove healthy food can be affordable.

Emerging Brands

Once known as a spirits-free bar, Bandbox adds a splash of alcohol

By Lisa Jennings on Jan. 16, 2026

Consumers are drinking less, but not necessarily giving up booze entirely. This bar concept wants to be the place where everyone can gather for a cocktail, with or without alcohol.

Emerging Brands

Parent company of Chopt and Dos Toros acquires Protein Bar & Kitchen

By Patricia Cobe on Jan. 15, 2026

Founders Table Restaurant Group will expand its fast-casual portfolio with the addition of the 19-unit health-focused concept.

Emerging Brands

Why a bundt cake concept sees booming growth ahead

By Joe Guszkowski on Jan. 15, 2026

Nothing Bundt Cakes has found success with one menu item and a simple operating model. Most people still haven’t heard of it, but the chain is working to change that.

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