Dave Shula Returns as President of Shula's Restaurant Group
Dave Shula rejoins Shula's Restaurant Group as president, leading growth into Palm Beach Gardens and a 2027 Thomasville, Georgia expansion.
Sep 23, 2026
Dave Shula rejoins Shula's Restaurant Group as president, leading growth into Palm Beach Gardens and a 2027 Thomasville, Georgia expansion.
Sep 23, 2026
McDonald's commits $8.5 billion through 2036 to modernize restaurants, boost cash flow by $100,000 per store, and grow chicken and beverage sales.
Sep 23, 2026
WKS Restaurant Group promotes Jay Spongberg to president and COO after he helped grow the company from 65 to 382 restaurants over 16 years.
Sep 23, 2026
Smokey Mo's BBQ names Von Dawson, a Dine Brands veteran, as VP of Franchise Development to lead its Texas expansion strategy.
Sep 23, 2026
Meritage Hospitality's Chapter 11 filing pulls 5% of Wendy's U.S. stores into bankruptcy, exposing cracks in franchising's bigger-is-safer bet.
Sep 21, 2026
Jack in the Box names Rachel Ruggeri to its board as Michael Murphy retires, amid a CEO transition and deal with investor GreenWood.
Sep 21, 2026
Improve restaurant Google Maps rankings by optimizing your business profile, selecting accurate categories, gathering reviews, adding photos, and strengthening local relevance signals.
Sep 21, 2026
Restaurant inventory tracking helps owners monitor stock, control food costs, reduce waste, improve purchasing, and make informed operational decisions.
Sep 21, 2026
Restaurant owners can significantly reduce restaurant costs by leveraging technology across inventory, labor, procurement, forecasting, and administrative operations for better profit margins.
Sep 18, 2026
Understand how to forecast restaurant revenue and expenses with methods for sales projection, cost scaling, fixed-cost planning, and risk buffering.
Sep 18, 2026
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Discover the hottest concepts in the restaurant industry this year that are set to revolutionize the way consumers dine out.
Photo by Sergio Arteaga
The restaurant industry is constantly evolving, driven by changing consumer demands and innovative concepts that push the boundaries of traditional dining experiences. Hot Concepts are at the forefront of this evolution, offering unique and exciting dining options that capture the imagination of consumers.
Photo by Sergio Arteaga
This year's Hot Concepts showcase a remarkable diversity in flavors and service styles, catering to a wide range of tastes and preferences. From the fiery Nashville hot chicken to the comforting Asian soul food and the vibrant flavors of authentic Mexican cuisine, these concepts are redefining culinary boundaries.
Hot Concepts are not just about the food; they also revolutionize the way restaurants deliver their services. Whether it's the interactive eatertainment experiences, the fusion of casual and fast-casual dining in hybrid concepts, or the embrace of traditional fast-casual service, these innovative models are setting new standards in customer engagement.
Photo by Sergio Arteaga
By recognizing and evaluating the rising stars in the restaurant industry, Hot Concepts serve as valuable signposts of current trends and future directions. They provide insights into consumer preferences, market demands, and operational strategies that can guide other players in the industry towards success.
While success is never guaranteed in the competitive restaurant landscape, the impact of Hot Concepts is undeniable. These concepts have the potential to influence the industry, spark innovations, and shape the dining experiences of customers nationwide. They represent the forward-thinking spirit that drives the industry's constant quest to satisfy the evolving needs of the American consumer.
Photo by Sergio Arteaga