Emerging Brands

New brands and soon-to-open concepts worth watching

Emerging Brands

How South Korea's bb.q Chicken became one of the fastest-growing chains in the U.S.

After some brand tinkering and a little help from Netflix, the chain has Americans hooked on its “best of the best quality” Korean fried chicken.

Emerging Brands

Pepper Lunch hopes to put experiential sizzle into Asian fast casual

This Japan-born chain has 500 units across Asia and in May launched franchising in the U.S. and Canada with an eye on university settings.

The private-equity firm had already made an investment in the buttermilk fried chicken sandwich brand, but now has acquired the remaining equity.

John Mackey and several former Whole Foods execs are building a restaurant brand around the notion that food is medicine. The plant-based restaurant is only one part of the brand, which will later include medical services and wellness programs.

Bodega Taqueria y Tequila’s winning combo of street tacos, frozen drinks, DJs and bar food is positioning the concept for growth.

The Bobby's Burgers concept is already in six nontraditional locations, in casinos and Yankee Stadium. Now the first multi-unit franchisee agreement will bring a street side version to Chicago.

Restaurant Rewind: Meal assembly concepts were going to be big. But their implosion was what made the loudest noise.

The spicy-chicken sandwich chain will become a concession option for sports arena contractor Legends Hospitality. Its fast foods will also be offered on the suites catering menu of Yankee Stadium.

The “California-inspired fresh eatery,” slated to open in Santa Monica, Calif., will help the fast-casual burrito restaurant chain test and learn for future growth.

The multi-brand platform created by a former Chipotle Mexican Grill exec is preparing to add a new category to the family.

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