restaurants

Irvine, Calif. — Mountain Mike’s Pizza, a leading family-style pizza chain for nearly 50 years, closed out 2025 with record unit growth, expanded national reach and more. Capping off the year, Mountain Mike’s grew its leadership team with the appointment of Sumi Ghosh as president and COO, strengthening the brand’s operational foundation as it enters its next growth phase. In 2025, Mountain Mike’s Pizza opened 24 new restaurants nationwide, marking the most new restaurant openings in its history, entered six new markets and reached a brand-defining milestone with the opening …

Richmond, Va. — Vicious Biscuit, an award-winning fast-casual breakfast concept, is expanding into Virginia for the first time. The brand has selected its inaugural location in the Old Dominion at 3036 Stony Point Rd. in Richmond, marking a key milestone in its continued national franchise growth. Located in the Stony Point Shopping Center, the 3,678-square-foot restaurant will be operated by franchise partner GR Waldrop, a Virginia native and longtime Jersey Mike’s operator doing business as Big Boys Biscuits, LLC. Waldrop is developing the market as part of a 4+ unit …

Wyoming, Mich. — Bojangles, the legendary, Carolina-born chain celebrated for its iconic chicken, biscuits and breakfast, has officially arrived in Michigan. The new restaurant, located at 1730 28th St. SW in Wyoming, Mich., opened the first week of February — marking Bojangles’ first-ever location in the Great Lakes State. This expansion into Michigan marks a significant step in Bojangles’ strategic growth plan. In the past year, the brand has successfully entered new markets, with its most recent opening in Austin, Texas, following expansions in Brooklyn, N.Y.; Piscataway, N.J.; Las Vegas; …

Atlanta — After more than nine decades rooted in the South, Krystal is officially expanding north. The brand, known for its small, square Krystals served hot off the grill, will open its first-ever New Jersey restaurant at 2200 Route 22 East in Union. This marks Krystal’s debut in the Northeast and a major milestone in the brand’s 93-year history. The Union restaurant will open on March 2, 2026 and is led by brand partner Victor Cruz, a former New York Giants wide receiver, Super Bowl XLVI champion and sportscaster, who …

Pasadena, Calif. — Dog Haus, an acclaimed burgers, brats and brews concept, is entering 2026 with strong momentum and a robust growth outlook. As the Southern California-based craft-casual brand celebrates its first 15 years, a full development pipeline signals its most prolific year of new openings to date. “2025 was our best year yet, and 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting and transformative years in Dog Haus’ proud history,” says CEO Michael Montagano. “As we celebrate our first 15 years, we’re pairing our strong brand …