Torchy’s Tacos, Nick the Greek, Golden Corral, Tandoori Pizza, and The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill lead RestaurantNews.com’s Top 20 stories for the week ending February 23, 2025.
1) Torchy’s Tacos Appoints Paul Macaluso as Chief Executive Officer
Restaurant industry leader brings more than three decades of experience driving results at respected brands. Torchy’s founder Mike Rypka to transition to Chief Innovation Officer.
2) Nick the Greek Brings Authentic Greek Street Food To Modesto, California
Following the successful opening in Ceres earlier this year, the Modesto restaurant marks the brand’s seventh location in Central Valley, further expanding Nick the Greek’s Golden State footprint.
3) Golden Corral All-You-Can-Eat Butterfly Shrimp & Steak Returns for a Limited Time
Featuring fan-favorite ginormous Butterfly Shrimp and Signature Carved Sirloin, this promotion delivers premium, protein-packed flavors perfect for every guest and every wallet.
4) Tandoori Pizza Expands Footprint with New Locations in Q1 of 2025
Expansion includes a second location in Fresno, a new restaurant in Rancho Cucamonga, as well as fresh openings in Concord, Sunnyvale Hollenbeck, and Bryn Mawr in Philadelphia.
5) The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill Opens First New Mexico Location in Albuquerque
The elevated fast-casual restaurant offers delicious Mediterranean fare available for dine-in, pick-up, catering and delivery.
6) Shannon Gauthier Overcomes Adversity to Become a Trailblazing Franchisee at Dickey’s Barbecue Pit
Shannon Gauthier, a new franchisee at Dickey’s Barbecue Pit in Rancho Cucamonga, has transformed her life by embracing a bold opportunity to rebuild her future.
7) New Scoop N Scootery Franchise Location Announced, Coming Soon to North Carolina
Get ready, ice cream fans – The Scoop N Scootery, the Massachusetts-based quick service ice cream expert known for its fundamental triple threat approach of quality, aesthetic and speed, has just sold its first franchise location.
8) Surcheros Accelerates Growth, Poised for Record-Breaking 2025
With a healthy pipeline in place, Surcheros plans to open at least 10 new units by the end of 2025, further solidifying its growing presence across Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Florida.
9) Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken Launches Fan-Favorite Fish and New Dessert to Complement Menu
Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken, a celebrated name in delicious, home-style fried chicken for nearly 60 years, is serving up the catch of the season with the return of the Fish & Chips Combo.
10) Local Restaurateur James Jones Brings First-Ever Bumpers to Arkansas
Bumpers franchises have been recognized for decades for their unique profitability in small towns and their comparatively low initial investments.










