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Emerging Brands

New brands and soon-to-open concepts worth watching

Emerging Brands

Bread Espresso & brings a Tokyo-based chain to the crowded bakery-cafe field

 By Lisa Jennings on Feb. 18, 2025

Forget croissants. This concept is all about adorably cubed "mou" bread, described as a brioche-milk bread hybrid.

Emerging Brands

Piada Italian Street Food wants to pick up the pace on growth

 By Lisa Jennings on Feb. 10, 2025

There are not many fast-casual Italian concepts with national potential. Now in seven states, Piada hopes to plant flags in more new markets before competitors catch up.

Emerging Brands

Influencer Emma Chamberlain launches LA cafe

By Lisa Jennings on Feb. 05, 2025

The YouTube star has been selling mail-order coffee since 2019. Now fans can line up in person for pistachio matcha and cold brew to post their reviews.

Emerging Brands

Mezeh hopes to ride Mediterranean wave

By Lisa Jennings on Feb. 05, 2025

This fast-casual concept is working to raise brand awareness as consumers increasingly embrace the healthful flavors of shawarma, hummus and harissa.

Emerging Brands

This convenience-store chicken chain opened 605 new locations in 2024

By Chuck Ulie on Jan. 27, 2025

That's a concept record, and Krispy Krunchy Chicken said it expects to open even more restaurants this year.

Emerging Brands

Riko's Pizza hopes to build on its early success

By Jonathan Maze on Jan. 22, 2025

The Connecticut-based tavern-style pizza chain that was created because its owner had some space to fill just hired a new president in Carl Bachmann and is intent on taking the next step.

Emerging Brands

How Ggiata brings a bit of Jersey to Los Angeles

By Lisa Jennings on Jan. 22, 2025

The founders of this hot fast-casual sandwich chain had no intention of opening a deli. Until they did.

Emerging Brands

Hy-Vee to close 79 Wahlburgers locations

By Joe Guszkowski on Jan. 21, 2025

The Midwestern grocery chain will transition its in-store restaurants back to its own Market Grille concept, erasing a huge chunk of the Wahlberg brothers’ burger empire.

Emerging Brands

P.F. Chang's has big plans for fast-casual spinoff Pagoda Asian Grill

By Joe Guszkowski on Jan. 17, 2025

The Asian casual-dining chain is testing the bowl and wrap concept in four locations and believes there is room for 2,000 of them across the U.S.

Emerging Brands

Call Your Mother wins significant strategic investment for expansion

By Lisa Jennings on Jan. 13, 2025

The 15-unit "Jew-ish" deli has a rabid fan base in Washington, D.C. and Denver, and the co-founders are looking at new markets.

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