From Fox Restaurant Concepts, Flower Child’s approach to courting millennials with a better-for-you menu caught the attention of—and investment from—Cheesecake Factory. But it’s not the only hot concept in the Phoenix area worth scouting. Restaurant Leadership Conference attendees should check out these buzzed-about local spots, too.
With a kitchen helmed by a nearly 20-year veteran of local pizza icon Chris Bianco’s spots, the menu of wood-fired pizzas also features a rotating list of local draft beers. What it doesn’t have is a fancy atmosphere; walls are lined with local art and beer posters.
Speaking of Chris Bianco, he launched an Italian trattoria that does not serve his beloved pizzas. The 35-seat spot, next to a Pizzeria Bianco location, offers a menu of antipasti and seasonal Italian-inspired dishes.
Concepts to Scout: Where to dine during the NRA Show in Chicago for stealable ideas
Smokehaus
Next door to sister concept Brat Haus, this barbecue spot sheds light on one of the lesser-known variations: Santa Maria-style ‘cue from Central California, with a focus on beef tri-tip.
Taste Tracker: Taco Bell goes all in on chicken; Culver’s gets a bacon upgrade; shrimp comes to Zaxby’s; and pastels trend at Krispy Kreme and Baskin-Robbins.
Standard AI CEO Jordan Fisher and co-founders Brandon Ogle and Daniel Fischetti are joining the delivery company as it makes a bigger push into artificial intelligence.