Restaurants

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ArkansasDevelopmentMissouriNewsRestaurants

Smalls Sliders Signs Four-Unit Franchise Agreement in Arkansas, Missouri

by Abby Cox

Arkansas and Missouri — Atlanta-based cheeseburger concept Smalls Sliders has signed a franchise agreement to develop four new units — dubbed Cans — in Northwest Arkansas and Missouri. Brothers Joe and Tim Rheem, along with business partner Johnny Hughes, will own and operate the restaurants. Potential locations include Rogers, Bentonville, Springdale, Fayetteville and Fort Smith, Arkansas, as well as Joplin and Branson, Missouri. Founded in 2019, Smalls Sliders currently has 375 Cans open or under development and is active across 30 states. 

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mountain-mikes-pizza
Company newsDevelopmentNewsRestaurants

Mountain Mike’s Pizza Opens 24 New Restaurants in 2025, Targets 25 More in 2026

by Abby Cox

Irvine, Calif. — Irvine, California-based Mountain Mike’s closed out 2025 with record unit growth, marking the most new restaurant openings in the brand’s history. Along with the debut of its 300th location in Las Vegas, Mountain Mike’s opened 24 new restaurants across six new markets and signed franchise agreements to add 19 new restaurants to the development pipeline. By year’s end, Mountain Mike’s was operating in more than 30 markets coast-to-coast, with roughly 100 locations under development in 16 states. Looking ahead, the brand is targeting 25 new restaurant openings in …

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DevelopmentNewsRestaurants

Eggs Up Grill Signs Five-Unit Franchise Agreement in Texas

by Abby Cox

Houston — Fast-casual American-style restaurant Eggs Up Grill has signed a franchise agreement to open five new restaurants across Texas. Texas franchise partners Louis and Lisa Jones will own and operate the restaurants. In addition to the Houston area, Eggs Up Grill continues to pursue expansion opportunities across Texas, including Dallas-Fort Worth, Central Texas, San Antonio and other markets throughout the state. Founded in 1997, Eggs Up Grill operates more than 100 locations nationwide with more than 90 additional units in development or committed to open.

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Zaxbys_Modern-Farmhouse-Exterior
DevelopmentMissouriNewsRestaurants

Zaxby’s to Open Seven New Restaurants in Missouri

by Abby Cox

St. Louis and Columbia, Mo. — Zaxby’s has signed a franchise agreement with Triple Z Holdings LLC to open seven new restaurants in Missouri. The development plan builds on various multi-unit franchise deals in the Midwest, including locations in Illinois and Ohio. Zaxby’s recently unveiled its newest restaurant in Chicago on Jan. 9, with more openings expected to follow. Zaxby’s currently has over 970 locations in 17 states and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.

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Laynes Chicken Fingers
DevelopmentNewsRestaurantsTexas

Layne’s Chicken Fingers Enters 2026 with 40 Stores, Plans to Open 300 by 2030

by Abby Cox

Frisco, Texas — College Station, Texas-based Layne’s Chicken Fingers closed out 2025 with 40 restaurants and 10 new franchise owners in the system, with plans to open a total of 300 units by 2030. Layne’s growth included a 44-unit agreement, a 15-unit expansion by Wisconsin franchise owners and agreements signed by franchisees of other major brands like Wendy’s and Arby’s. Meanwhile, Layne’s posted a 50 percent year-over-year unit increase and a 67 percent increase in systemwide sales, with 2024 systemwide revenue reaching $30 million.

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Company newsFinanceRestaurants

FAT Brands Inc. Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

by Abby Cox

Los Angeles — FAT (Fresh. Authentic. Tasty.) Brands Inc. has commenced voluntary chapter 11 proceedings in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas. FAT Brands plans to use the filings to deleverage its balance sheet, maximize value for its stakeholders and support continued growth of its brands. FAT Brands’ portfolio of 18 restaurant concepts encompasses more than 2,200 locations worldwide. Brands such as Fatburger, Johnny Rockets and Round Table Pizza, among others, are expected to remain operating as usual during the chapter 11 process. Latham & Watkins LLP …

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DevelopmentNew YorkNewsRestaurants

Pokeworks to Open Four New Restaurants in New York

by Abby Cox

New York City — Irvine, California-based Pokeworks has signed two separate franchise agreements to open four new restaurants in Long Island and Manhattan. Restaurant operator Joe Magnotta is expected to open a Pokeworks restaurant in mid-2026 on Long Island, while business leader Sanchit Sharma plans to develop locations in central Midtown Manhattan that target areas with strong office density and foot traffic. The first restaurant in Manhattan is anticipated to open by late summer 2026, and two more are set to follow. Pokeworks currently operates seven locations in New York City, …

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TGI-Fridays
Company newsDevelopmentNewsRestaurantsTexas

TGI Fridays Unveils New Expansion Plan, Targets 1,000 New Restaurants by 2030

by Abby Cox

Dallas — Dallas-based casual dining chain TGI Fridays has unveiled a new expansion plan. Under its “1-2-3 Strategic Vision,” the company is aiming for more than 1,000 new restaurants and $2 billion in revenue by 2030. The U.S.-based company intends to support its strategy with initiatives such as menu and beverage changes, improved guest experiences and upgrades to restaurant atmosphere. The brand’s growth strategy also includes a diverse mix of formats, including high-volume airport locations to hotel concepts and traditional full-service restaurants. TGI Fridays filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November …

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Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard
Company newsDevelopmentNewsPennsylvaniaRestaurants

Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard Surpasses 600 Locations in 2025

by Abby Cox

Philadelphia — Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard finished 2025 with more than 600 locations worldwide, with further expansion planned in the year ahead. In 2025, Rita’s opened 35 new shops systemwide, including new shop openings across the Southeast, Texas and Mid-Atlantic, as well as the brand’s first-ever location in Louisiana. This year, Rita’s expects to open approximately 45 additional shops. Drive-thru development emerged as one of Rita’s growth drivers in 2025. Across the system, the company reports that drive-thru locations are delivering more than 30 percent higher performance compared to …

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Smalls-Sliders
DevelopmentNebraskaNewsRestaurants

Smalls Sliders to Open Four Restaurants in Nebraska

by Abby Cox

Lincoln and Omaha, Neb. — Atlanta-based cheeseburger slider concept Smalls Sliders has signed a franchise agreement to open four new restaurants, dubbed “Cans,” in Lincoln and Omaha. Smalls Sliders plans to debut the first of its four Cans in 2026, with development site selections underway. Founded in 2019, Smalls Sliders currently has 375 Cans open or under development and is active across 30 states. 

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