Del Taco, Perkins Griddle & Go, Layne’s Chicken Fingers, Buca di Beppo, and OpenTable lead RestaurantNews.com’s Top 20 stories for the week ending July 20, 2025.
1) The Pickle Craze Just Got Crazier with Del Taco’s New Pickle Taco
In a bold move only Del Taco could pull off, the brand is celebrating National Pickle Month with a one-of-a-kind twist: introducing the Fried Pickle Taco, available for a limited time exclusively in their surrounding Los Angeles county locations from July 15, while supplies last.
2) Perkins Griddle & Go Announces 46 Units Sold in New Jersey
Perkins American Food Co. is entering the new fiscal year strong after a record-breaking FY 2025, driven by momentum from its new Griddle & Go concept. The brand has sold out franchise territories in four key New Jersey counties – Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, and Ocean – signaling rapid regional expansion.
3) Layne’s Chicken Fingers Crosses Mid-Year Mark With 11 New Restaurants Opened, Including the First Time the Brand has Seen Two Openings on the Same Day on July 14
At the mid-year point, the brand reached the 30-restaurant mark, growing its footprint by over 50% in just six months. The team also inked five new franchise deals, representing a cumulative 54 restaurants to be developed in the coming years.
4) Refresh, Unwind, and Indulge: Buca di Beppo Launches Signature ‘Happiest of Hours’ Menu
Buca di Beppo guests can now enjoy summer with the newly revamped Happiest of Hours menu, featuring refreshing drink specials and craveable bites available throughout the restaurant – including the bar and patio – available Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m.
5) OpenTable Launches Gen-AI Powered Concierge to Arm Diners with Instant Insights for its 60,000+ Global Restaurants
OpenTable, a global leader in restaurant tech, has debuted ‘Concierge,’ a generative AI-powered assistant designed to give diners instant insights into more than 60,000 restaurants on its network.
6) Taco Cabana President Announces Margarita Contest. Guests Invited To Help Create the Next Great Margarita Flavor in Celebration of National Tequila Day
Taco Cabana, a celebrated fast-casual Mexican-inspired dining chain for nearly 50 years, is commemorating National Tequila Day on July 24 by raising a margarita glass and toasting to customers with several guest-friendly promotions.
7) Taco Bell Tests New Luxe Value Menu: Big Flavor, Bold Value, Innovation That Hits
Taco Bell is testing a new Luxe Value Menu that is anything but basic – featuring five bold, elevated items alongside existing fan favorites – all for $3 or less. Think premium flavors, irresistible formats, and no compromise on crave.
8) Wahlburgers Opens at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
This counter-service concept offers a streamlined menu featuring the brand’s most popular items, including the bold and savory O.F.D. (Originally from Dorchester), crafted with two Certified Angus Beef patties, Swiss cheese, bacon, sautéed mushrooms, and housemade tomato jam. Guests can also enjoy it Mark’s way, with government cheese. The menu includes other fan favorites like the iconic Our Burger, stacked with a CAB beef patty, government cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and Chef Paul’s famous Wahl Sauce.
9) Applebee’s 2 for $25 Menu Adds NEW Chicken Parmesan Fettuccine and NEW BIG Bangin’ Burger
Perfect for any occasion, whether celebrating date night or going out with friends and family, Applebee’s 2 for $25 deal takes dining to the next level with these savory summer dishes.
10) From Street Food to Strategy Room: Hawkers Names New Board of Restaurant Visionaries
Trailblazers from First Watch, Fogo de Chão, and Savory Fund join forces with co-founder Kaleb Harrell to guide Hawkers’ bold future.
11) Bless Her Heart, Ida Claire Welcomes Mary Lou Davis as Executive Chef
With more than a decade in San Antonio’s restaurant scene, Davis has chopped, charred, and charmed her way through the city’s top kitchens, earning a cult following with sold out pop-ups. Her cooking marries soulful comfort with playful twists, bringing a fresh spark to every plate she touches.
12) Nick the Greek Opens Laguna Niguel Location
With over 85 locations in operation and dozens more in development, Nick the Greek is poised to reach 100 restaurants systemwide by the end of 2025, highlighting the growing demand for high-quality Greek street food across the United States.
13) Mountain Mike’s Pizza Expands Texas Footprint in Collin County With New McKinney Restaurant
Mountain Mike’s Pizza, a leading family-style pizza chain for over 45 years, known for its legendary crispy, curly pepperonis, massive 20-inch Mountain-sized pizzas and dough made fresh daily, is continuing its growth across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex with the opening of a new location in McKinney.
14) Twin Peaks to Host Fantasy Football Draft Parties With New Reservation Perks and Kickbacks
For the first time ever, Twin Peaks is offering table reservations for fantasy football draft parties. Fans can lock in their spot at participating Twin Peaks locations and enjoy exclusive perks that make draft day one to remember.
15) Escape to the French Riviera at LouLou Santa Monica
Ranked among the 14 best Brunch Buffets across the US., LouLou is your go-to destination for unforgettable gatherings, from romantic brunch dates to lively celebrations with friends or group dining (9 guests and more). Whether you’re sipping rosé in the sun or dancing under the stars, LouLou delivers a timeless escape inspired by the charms of the French Riviera.
16) Juice It Up! Continues 30-Year Anniversary Celebration With Exceptional Sales and Midyear Brand Momentum
Leading smoothie, superfruit bowl and raw juice chain sees 14% sales growth in the first six months of 2025, new development activities and top-performing new products.
17) Grand Opening of Avon Paris Baguette Café on July 18 as the Brand Continues to Dominate the Bakery Café Space
Paris Baguette, the bakery café concept with over 4,000 units worldwide, is growing quickly in the US & Canada. With over 225 bakery cafés open in North America and more in development, they are building a strong presence.
18) Restaurant Marketing Ideas for August
Restaurant owners and operators have a lot to look forward to in August for restaurant marketing opportunities.
19) The St. Regis Deer Valley Announces Summer BBQ Jam Featuring Live-Fire Celebrity Host Jack Arnold and Tunes by DJ Dolph
The St. Regis Deer Valley announced its slope-side Summer BBQ Jam featuring celebrity host Jack Arnold on Sunday, August 3, 2025 from 4:00 to 9:00 PM, a dynamic new event certain to be one of the coolest evenings of the season.
20) Soulman’s Bar-B-Que Launches Limited-Time “Pork Wings” Beginning July 14
“Soulman’s: Where Pork Gets Its Wings” invites BBQ lovers to take their taste buds on a flight with tender, meaty pork, slow-smoked to perfection and smothered in the restaurant’s signature BBQ sauce.