Test of virtual brands reveals both promise and problems

Reality Check: The casual dining giant sold Red Lobster in a cloud of controversy a decade ago. Here's why a return to the fold may not be as crazy as it sounds.

Behind the Menu: Bite-size Apple Pie Poppers, created to target customers' sweet spot, lend themselves to line extensions to expand the chain’s snack selections.

These small concepts are still proving out their ideas, but each shows promise as a potential candidate for the next generation of emerging chains.