Tex-Mex Chain Surcheros Plans Four Locations in Columbia
South Carolina is about to get a new Tex-Mex player in the state, as Surcheros unveils plans to open four locations in the Columbia area over the next four years. The first location will launch in Forest Acres in November 2024. This expansion into Columbia comes hot on the heels of the announced move into Tennessee. CEO of Surcheros Luke Christian shared his excitement: "This is a significant milestone for us as we continue to expand across the Southeast and strengthen our franchise network with partners who share our vision."
Robots to Deliver Shake Shack Orders in Los Angeles
The next Shake Shack burger you order in Los Angeles might arrive on robotic wheels. Customers who order through the Uber Eats app may find their meal delivered by one of Serve Robotics' autonomous robots, which have been cruising the city's sidewalks since 2022. Serve's robots use advanced GPS and AI to navigate urban obstacles, ensuring orders arrive hot, cold, fresh, and on time.
Vegan Chain Next Level Burger Wins Newsweek's Best Fast-Food Award
A small vegan burger chain has just scored a massive upset victory over fast food giants. Next Level Burger (NLB), the self-proclaimed "America's first 100% plant-based burger joint chain," has been crowned Best Fast-Food Chain in the 2024 Newsweek Readers' Choice Awards - besting conventional non-vegan juggernauts like Whataburger, Chipotle, and Chick-Fil-A.
Marco's Pizza Tests Innovative Store Design in Boise
Marco's Pizza just opened its first restaurant with a new look that's all about making things easier for people to get their food to go. The redesign has special racks to keep pizzas warm and lockers, where customers can pick up their orders, with a soda fridge right by the cash register so people can easily add drinks to their pizza.
Chicken Salad Chick Adds New Orleans to Its Menu
Chicken Salad Chick, the nation's sole fast-casual chicken salad restaurant concept, has signed a multi-unit franchise agreement to open four locations in New Orleans, with the first slated to debut in 2025. The company has seen a 13% increase in unit count year-over-year and $353 million in systemwide sales in 2024, a 38% jump from 2021. On top of that, the average restaurant is now making $1.5 million.
Chicago's Rainbow Cone Goes National After 98 Years
Rainbow Cone, a Chicago ice cream shop, is spreading its colorful layers across the country for the first time in its 98-year history. The shop is known for its unique five-flavor ice cream cone, which stacks chocolate, strawberry, Palmer House, pistachio, and orange sherbet in colorful "slices." Since announcing franchising two years ago, Rainbow Cone has grown to 21 locations, mostly around Chicago, but they're not stopping there. They've also opened a store in Indiana and recently made a deal to open 10 spots in Texas.
Southeast States Welcome Big Dave's Cheesesteaks
Big Dave's Cheesesteaks is on a roll, expanding its Philly-inspired sandwiches across the Southeast. The Georgia-based chain announced plans to open 16 new locations in three states, building on its current roster of four Georgia stores, an Atlanta food truck, and a Charlotte franchise. Big Dave's Cheesesteaks is on a roll, expanding its Philly-inspired sandwiches across the Southeast. The Georgia-based chain announced plans to open 16 new locations in three states, building on its current roster of four Georgia stores, an Atlanta food truck, and a Charlotte franchise.
Walmart Welcomes 92 In-Store Mr Gatti's Pizza Locations
Mr Gatti's Pizza, the Texas-based pizza chain plans to open 92 locations inside Walmart stores across four states: Kentucky, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas. The rollout starts soon. By year's end, 12 locations will pop up in south Oklahoma and north Texas. These new Walmart locations will be more than grab-and-go. You can sit down for a meal, order delivery, or use the Mr Gatti's app to place an order and pick it up after shopping.
Caesar Salad Turns 100: Why Is It Still a Menu Staple?
Can you believe this iconic salad is ONLY 100 years old? Or maybe you're thinking, "Wow, it's ALREADY been around for a century?" Either way, in honor of Caesar's big birthday, we at Restaurantji decided to toss together some interesting data and facts about this timeless dish.
Taste Of America: The Most Loved Cuisines Across States
When it comes to American food culture, the United States is often described as a melting pot, soup bowl, or salad—each of these metaphors reflects the vast diversity of cultures found across every state, introducing a new cuisine or flavor to the country. From fine dining to fast food, international restaurants offer endless arrays of delicious meals and snacks. But which ones are most popular?
