Emerging Brands

New brands and soon-to-open concepts worth watching

Can pickleball save the eatertainment sector?

By Lisa Jennings on Sep. 09, 2022

Punch Bowl Social founder Robert Thompson jumps into this increasingly crowded niche with the new Camp Pickle concept to debut next year.

Premium

Emerging Brands

Kevin Hart’s new restaurant Hart House aims to reinvent fast food, and not by being plant based

By Lisa Jennings on Sep. 06, 2022

Hart House CEO Andy Hooper hopes to redefine the QSR employment experience with higher wages and benefits that go way beyond the industry standard.

Emerging Brands

MrBeast Burger is opening a brick-and-mortar restaurant

By Joe Guszkowski on Aug. 30, 2022

The outlet in American Dream mall in New Jersey will be the first physical location for the fast-growing virtual brand.

Emerging Brands

Great Greek Mediterranean Grill finds success in service

By Reyna Estrada on Aug. 17, 2022

The fast-casual chain, which has an elevated service model, has become one of the country’s fastest growing brands and plans to be a $100 million concept by next year.

Emerging Brands

This Houston drive-thru restaurant just won $1M

By Joe Guszkowski on Jul. 26, 2022

Single-unit Vietnamese concept Saigon Hustle was the winner of the Million Dollar Restaurant Launch sponsored by Mercato Partners’ Savory Fund.

Emerging Brands

Snooze launches a convenience-driven virtual breakfast concept

By Peter Romeo on Jul. 12, 2022

Called Bodegga, the limited-menu venture is positioned as an upscale alternative to grab-and-go a.m. meals.

Premium

Emerging Brands

Sam Fox bakes up two new pizza growth vehicles

By Heather Lalley on Jul. 11, 2022

The Arizona restaurateur is finally ready to add locations of Detroit-style Fly Bye and full-service Doughbird after running them as single units for years.

Emerging Brands

José Andrés finally gets a restaurant in a former Trump-owned D.C. building

By Heather Lalley on Jun. 14, 2022

The Nobel Prize-nominated chef and the former president waged a legal battle over a restaurant in the Old Post Office building, after Trump made disparaging comments about immigrants.

Emerging Brands