Emerging Chains

Mergers & Acquisitions

Kyuramen Group acquires matcha gelato concept to grow across U.S.Kyuramen Group acquires matcha gelato concept to grow across U.S.

Offering varying grades of matcha in gelato and drinks, Aokō Matcha will grow as a standalone concept and within Kyuramen locations.

byLisa Jennings,Executive Editor

May 14, 2026

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2 Min Read

Emerging Chains

Bakery-cafe Maman plots next-level growth with new infusion of capital Bakery-cafe Maman plots next-level growth with new infusion of capital

byLisa Jennings

May 8, 2026

2 Min Read

Rosa Mexicano has named Richard Zoob CEO

Richard Zoob named CEO of Rosa Mexicano Richard Zoob named CEO of Rosa Mexicano

May 1, 2026

2 Min Read

From left to right: Lauren Bailey, Kim Malek, Sam Oches

Regional Chains

How Kim Malek and Lauren Bailey overcame ‘founderitis’How Kim Malek and Lauren Bailey overcame ‘founderitis’

Apr 23, 2026

8 Min Read

Jeni’s scoops up former Ben & Jerry’s chief as CEO Jeni’s scoops up former Ben & Jerry’s chief as CEO

byLisa Jennings

Apr 22, 2026

1 Min Read

Emerging Chains

Kevin Armantrout promoted to CEO of Bagels & Co.Kevin Armantrout promoted to CEO of Bagels & Co.

byLisa Jennings

Apr 21, 2026

1 Min Read

Pastries at Bonrue Bakery

Regional Chains

Bonrue Bakery plans to more than triple in unit count by end of 2027

Bonrue Bakery plans to more than triple in unit count by end of 2027

byLisa Jennings,Executive Editor

Emerging Chains

Meet Matter: the first fast-casual restaurant that customizes and tracks your macronutrients

Meet Matter: the first fast-casual restaurant that customizes and tracks your macronutrients

byJoanna Fantozzi,Senior Editor

Emerging Chains

Visiting Steve Ells’ newest restaurant venture, Counter Service

Visiting Steve Ells’ newest restaurant venture, Counter Service

byLeigh Anne Zinsmeister,Managing Editor

A selection of bowls from Roots Natural Kitchen

Chef-curated bowls are the star at Roots Natural Kitchen

Chef-curated bowls are the star at Roots Natural Kitchen

bySam Oches,Editor in Chief

Landry's Seafood House exterior

Emerging Chains

Landry’s Seafood House crowned winner of Nation’s Restaurant News’ Seafood Showdown

Landry’s Seafood House crowned winner of Nation’s Restaurant News’ Seafood Showdown

Emerging Chains

Meet the 6 players in Nation’s Restaurant News’ Seafood Showdown

Meet the 6 players in Nation’s Restaurant News’ Seafood Showdown

Grilled oysters at Landry's Seafood House

Emerging Chains

Landry’s Seafood House is the blueprint for successful seafood

Landry’s Seafood House is the blueprint for successful seafood

Seafood at Angry Crab Shack

Emerging Chains

Angry Crab Shack redefines seafood with Asian-Cajun flavors

Angry Crab Shack redefines seafood with Asian-Cajun flavors

byAlicia Kelso,Executive Editor

A lobster roll at Hampton Social

Emerging Chains

Hampton Social brings East Coast-style seafood to the Midwest and beyond

Hampton Social brings East Coast-style seafood to the Midwest and beyond

byJoanna Fantozzi,Senior Editor

Seafood at Ivar’s

Emerging Chains

Meet Ivar’s, the seafood chain that’s fed Seattle for nearly a century

Meet Ivar’s, the seafood chain that’s fed Seattle for nearly a century

bySam Oches,Editor in Chief

Cod at Fish City Grill

Emerging Chains

30 years in, Fish City Grill founders are still ‘pretty darn happy’

30 years in, Fish City Grill founders are still ‘pretty darn happy’

byLeigh Anne Zinsmeister,Managing Editor

Courtesy of Pacific Catch

Emerging Chains

Pacific Catch brings an affordable seafood-inspired vacation to diners

Pacific Catch brings an affordable seafood-inspired vacation to diners

byBret Thorn,Senior Food Editor

Pastries at Somedays Bakery

Regional Chains

Meet Somedays Bakery, the young chain that just opened its first location in Manhattan

Meet Somedays Bakery, the young chain that just opened its first location in Manhattan

byLeigh Anne Zinsmeister,Managing Editor

Regional Chains

Fast-casual chain Thai Chili 2Go plans further expansion in Arizona

Fast-casual chain Thai Chili 2Go plans further expansion in Arizona

byBret Thorn,Senior Food Editor

Emerging Chains

Former Savory executive launches authentic taquería concept

Former Savory executive launches authentic taquería concept

Emerging Chains

Salt & Straw debuts on Las Vegas Strip with two new scoop shops at Paris and Flamingo casinos

Salt & Straw opens Vegas Strip locations

Emerging Chains

Biscuit Belly stands out with its scratch-made biscuits

Biscuit Belly stands out with its scratch-made biscuits

byAlicia Kelso,Executive Editor

Emerging Chains

The most-watched RestauraTOUR videos of 2025

The most-watched RestauraTOUR videos of 2025

Breakfast items at a Ruby Slipper Café restaurant

Emerging Chains

Ruby Slipper Café wins Nation’s Restaurant News’ 2025 Breakfast Showdown

Ruby Slipper Café wins Nation’s Restaurant News’ 2025 Breakfast Showdown

Emerging Chains

Meet Jeremiah’s, the bullfrog-themed restaurant serving up Italian ice treats

Meet Jeremiah’s, the bullfrog-themed restaurant serving up Italian ice treats

byLeigh Anne Zinsmeister,Managing Editor

Emerging Chains

Meet the 6 players in Nation’s Restaurant News’ Breakfast Showdown

Meet the 6 players in Nation’s Restaurant News’ Breakfast Showdown

byLeigh Anne Zinsmeister,Managing Editor

Pancakes at a Kerbey Lane Cafe restaurant

Emerging Chains

To Kerbey Lane Cafe, family and community are irreplaceable staples

To Kerbey Lane Cafe, family and community are irreplaceable staples

byAlly MacConchie,Digital Content Producer

chicken and waffles at a Big Bad Breakfast restaurant

Emerging Chains

Big Bad Breakfast brings a fine-dining ethos to the morning meal

Big Bad Breakfast brings a fine-dining ethos to the morning meal

byBret Thorn,Senior Food Editor

Egg dish at an Eggspectation restaurant

Emerging Chains

Eggspectation wants customers to stay awhile

Eggspectation wants customers to stay awhile

byAlicia Kelso,Executive Editor

The hog & chick at Matt's Big Breakfast restaurant

Emerging Chains

Matt’s Big Breakfast runs on breakfast staples and an obsession with service

Matt’s Big Breakfast runs on breakfast staples and an obsession with service

byLeigh Anne Zinsmeister,Managing Editor

Breakfast at Ruby Slipper Café

Emerging Chains

Ruby Slipper Café brings authentic New Orleans hospitality to breakfast

Ruby Slipper Café brings authentic New Orleans hospitality to breakfast

byJoanna Fantozzi,Senior Editor

Pancakes from Sunny Street Cafe restaurant

Emerging Chains

Sunny Street Cafe offers classic breakfast options with a twist

Sunny Street Cafe offers classic breakfast options with a twist

bySam Oches,Editor in Chief

Emerging Chains

Five Iron strives to make golf more accessible

Five Iron strives to make golf more accessible

byAlicia Kelso,Executive Editor

Taylor DeHart

Savory Fund promotes Taylor DeHart to director

Savory Fund promotes Taylor DeHart to director

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