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Emerging Brands

New brands and soon-to-open concepts worth watching

Emerging Brands

Hot Chicken Takeover shutters its last remaining location

 By Lisa Jennings on Sep. 22, 2025

Parent Craveworthy Brands said it took a big swing trying to revive the troubled brand acquired for 50 cents, but couldn't save it.

Emerging Brands

Panera Bread founder Ron Shaich is betting another $50M that Level99 can set the bar for social entertainment

 By Lisa Jennings on Sep. 17, 2025

With three units, the unique interactive-games-and-dining concept is plotting national expansion with Act III Holdings. While others in the sector are struggling, Level99 is designed for longevity.

Emerging Brands

Chicken and coffee concepts dominate Future 50 ranking of emerging restaurant chains

By Lisa Jennings on Sep. 15, 2025

The country's fastest-growing emerging brands generated nearly $2.5 billion in sales last year, according to Technomic data.

Emerging Brands

Via 313 proves there's growth to be had in full-service pizza

By Joe Guszkowski on Sep. 15, 2025

The Texas-based, Detroit-style pizza chain went from a couple of trailers to two-dozen brick-and-mortars by serving some of the best pizza in the country.

Emerging Brands

Peach Cobbler Factory considers a more savory future

By Jonathan Maze on Sep. 15, 2025

The fast-growing chain, known for its unique assortment of desserts, including peach cobbler, wants to take on other parts of the day. It plans to start testing breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Emerging Brands

The family behind Pasta Sisters never intended to open a restaurant. Now they are exploring options for growth

By Lisa Jennings on Sep. 09, 2025

It's an overnight success that took 10 years. But this family from Italy sees an opportunity for freshly made pasta in a fast-casual setting.

Emerging Brands

At Din Tai Fung, the little things add up

By Joe Guszkowski on Sep. 05, 2025

The casual-dining soup dumpling chain generates the industry’s highest average unit volumes thanks in part to its painstaking attention to detail.

Emerging Brands

Saigon Hustle wants to be the first national Vietnamese fast casual

By Lisa Jennings on Sep. 02, 2025

With backing from investors the Savory Fund and Virentes Partners Group, this two-unit fast-casual concept hopes to reach 150 in five years.

Emerging Brands

Less than a year from an investment from Chipotle, Brassica prepares to double its unit count

By Lisa Jennings on Aug. 29, 2025

The Columbus, Ohio-based fast casual won a minority investment last year from Chipotle's Cultivate Next fund. Now Brassica is readying a jump to three new markets.

Emerging Brands

How Taco Bell's Crunchwrap is inspiring a new restaurant concept

By Lisa Jennings on Aug. 28, 2025

Meet the new fast-casual Hippo Pockets out of Minneapolis with a creative menu of grilled, hexagon-shaped tortillas stuffed with all manner of things, in the style of a Crunchwrap. Taco Bell is flattered.

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