Emerging Concepts

featured articles

Why Super Duper Burgers is One to Watch Less is more at this eco-friendly San Francisco burger concept with a streamlined menu of high-quality offerings.	The Fast Casual Empire in the Making Only five years after launch, Austin, Texas–based VERTS Mediterranean Grill has more than 30 locations—and plans for national dominance.
Meet the Pizza Joint that Opened in an Old Post Office Post Office Pies in Birmingham, Alabama, represents a homecoming for Chef John Hall. He explains why he opened the restaurant in an old neighborhood post office.	One to Watch: Fusian Three childhood friends with no culinary background introduce the Midwest to build-your-own-sushi rolls.
Inside the Making of a Better-Breakfast Franchise How one North Carolina chef sowed the seeds for a powerhouse breakfast franchise.	Why Poke is the Next Big Thing in Fast Casual Fast casuals are embracing poke, a raw fish dish that some are calling the next sushi.
Why Mendocino Farms is One to Watch After a decade perfecting its operation, this California fast casual 2.0 brand is ready to shake up the better-sandwich scene.	This NYC Fast Casual is Wowing with BBQ Who says barbecue doesn’t travel north of the Mason-Dixon line? Mighty Quinn's Barbeque, a New York City fast casual, redefines a Southern classic.
Why Grabbagreen is One to Watch Founded by industry outsiders, this health-focused concept thrives by thinking beyond the normal rules of fast casual.	Standout Store: Papi’s Tacos Papi’s Tacos in Greenville, South Carolina, brings a fine-dining panache to fast-casual tacos.

industry headlines

Willie Jewell’s Headed to New Hampshire in October

2016-09-12 Willie Jewell’s Old School Bar-B-Q, the fast-casual spinoff from the 67-year-veteran Bono’s Pit Bar-B-Q concept, is headed North to the Granite State.

Firenza Pizza Unveils North Carolina Expansion Plan

2016-09-07 After signing a development deal in July that will bring five new units to the Charlotte area, Firenza Pizza, a fast-casual restaurant that offers cus...

Elevation Burger Founders Invest in New Pizzeria Concept

2016-09-06 Started as a food truck in 2007, today Pupatella is a favorite Neapolitan Pizzeria among Northern Virginians, winning loyal fans with its classic arti...

East Hampton Sandwich Co. Continues to Expand in Texas

2016-08-31 East Hampton Sandwich Co. will open its Southlake, Texas, store on September 2 for lunch and dinner service.

This Chef-Driven Brand Blends Cuisines, Service Models

2016-08-04 Blending, mixing, infusing—whatever you want to call it, foodservice has embraced fusion cuisine with open arms.

Better Brands To Launch Upbeet in Atlanta

2016-08-02 Better Brands is introducing Upbeet, its new fast-casual restaurant brand serving fresh, customizable food made with local and organic ingredients in ...

R. House to Launch Rotating Pop-Up Kitchen Concept

2016-07-26 R.

Bubbakoo's Hits 10 with New Silverton, NJ, Store

2016-07-25 Bubbakoo’s Burritos announced the opening of its 10th location.

Farmers Launches New Food Truck Insurance Policy

2016-07-25 Farmers Insurance, one of the nation’s largest multiline insurer groups, has announced the launch of a food truck policy, marking the company’s first ...

HMSHost Debuts Empire Roadside BBQ Food Truck

2016-07-25 In time for the summer travel rush, global restaurateur HMSHost has introduced a new food truck to serve motorists and families road-tripping on the m...

Emerging Concepts