This week’s Best Bites from the RestaurantNews.com Feed highlight restaurant nostalgia, innovation, and consumer trends. From the rise and fall of chains like Howard Johnson’s and Old Country Buffet to inventive newcomers like Kyoto’s Future Train Diner & Cafe, the industry continues to evolve with creative menus and memorable experiences. Celebrity-owned spots in Los Angeles, award-winning new restaurants, and Maryland-born favorites showcase culinary creativity, while menu simplification, the “Blink Factor,” and delivery enhancements reveal strategies operators use to engage diners. Nostalgic ’70s fast-food throwbacks and over-the-top birthday celebrations underscore the lasting role of fun and flavor in dining. These stories, and more, are some of the restaurant news bites that caught our eye this week:
The Rise And Fall Of America’s Biggest Restaurant Chain: What Went Wrong?
Howard Johnson’s was once the largest restaurant chain in the U.S., with over 1,000 locations and roadside dominance thanks to its franchising model and menu staples like quality ice cream. Over time, shifts in consumer tastes, strong competition, cost pressures, and a series of ownership changes led to its steady decline until almost nothing remained of the once ubiquitous brand.
The 20 Best New Restaurants of 2025
The list celebrates 20 restaurants across the U.S. that opened between March 2024 and March 2025, distinguished by chefs embedding their heritage, local stories, and bold creativity into each menu. Standouts include places like Lenox in Seattle, Minnie Bell’s Soul Movement in San Francisco, and Vinai in Minneapolis, where each restaurant doesn’t just serve food but shares identity and place
23 Chain Restaurant Logos That Should Never Be Updated
Twenty-three iconic restaurant logos, from Arby’s to Whataburger, are considered untouchable because even minor updates risk fan backlash. Their enduring power comes from instant recognition and deep emotional ties with diners.
15 Celebrity-Owned Restaurants, Bars, And Cafes In Los Angeles
From casual diners to upscale fine-dining spots, here are 15 Los Angeles establishments owned or backed by celebrities, including the Wahlberg brothers, Jay-Z, and cast members of Vanderpump Rules, among others. These venues span a wide variety of cuisines and concepts – some celebrity-fronted, others quietly supported – offering everything from burgers and bars to trendy cafes and elevated dinners.
10 Best Sports Bar Chains in the United States
USA TODAY 10BEST has unveiled its list of the best sports bars in the country, chosen for their unbeatable game-day atmospheres featuring big screens, great food and drinks, and plenty of seating. A panel of experts made the nominations, and readers cast their votes to crown the winners.
Take a Look Inside the Future Train, a Unique New Restaurant Diner and Cafe in Kyoto
A new experiential restaurant called Future Train Diner & Cafe is set to open in Kyoto on September 20 inside a retired Thunderbird Express train perched above ground in the Umekoji area. The restaurant will feature futuristic interiors across its three carriages, a diverse menu ranging from luxury burgers to train-style bento boxes, and immersive dining options like a reservation-only seven-course “Imagination Course” that includes a ride through the first carriage.
Restaurant Marketing Ideas for October
Coming up with fresh restaurant marketing ideas can sometimes be difficult for restaurant owners and operators. Fortunately, October lays out a tasty selection of food focused days that offer up the right ingredients to help build your restaurant’s marketing menu.
The Essential Recap Of Old Country Buffet And Its Collapse
Old Country Buffet was once a dominant all-you-can-eat chain with around 350 locations, built on affordable, homestyle food and generous portions. Burdened by massive debt, changing consumer tastes, and declining sales – especially during and after the pandemic – the chain filed for multiple bankruptcies before finally shutting down almost entirely in 2021.
Younger Consumers Pull Back Their Restaurant Spending
Younger consumers – Millennials and Gen Z – are pulling back on restaurant spending, underperforming by nearly a full percentage point this year in same-store traffic. Financial stress, debt, and limited disposable income are driving this trend, especially in zip codes with median ages under 33.
Why Menu Simplification Remains an Underutilized Strategy
Menu simplification remains a largely untapped strategy among restaurant operators despite its potential to reduce costs, improve order accuracy, and streamline kitchen workflows. Operators who have trimmed down their menus report enhanced operational efficiency and more consistent execution without sacrificing customer satisfaction.
The Blink Factor or Why Brands Win or Lose in Four Seconds
The “Blink Factor” emphasizes that restaurant brands have mere seconds to forge emotional connections with customers, influencing their perceptions and loyalty. Jean-Pierre Lacroix’s framework highlights the importance of sensory cues, storytelling, and human interactions in creating memorable dining experiences that drive growth and differentiation.
Want To Improve Your Delivery Business? Don’t Forget the Sauce, and Toss in a Little Extra
Restaurants partnering with third-party delivery apps can enhance customer satisfaction by focusing on order accuracy and adding personal touches, such as including extra sauce packets. These small gestures can improve the delivery experience and increase the likelihood of repeat business.
How Shake Shack Removes Friction Between Web Traffic and App Downloads
Shake Shack is streamlining its digital marketing by using Google’s Web To App Connect and Performance Max ad products, which guide users directly from web searches into relevant app pages. This approach has significantly boosted app conversions and improved return on ad spend by reducing friction between web traffic and app usage.
Celebrity Chefs Debunk These Common Restaurant Myths
Celebrity chefs including Antonia Lofaso, JJ Johnson, and Sarah Thompson debunk common restaurant myths, clarifying what is true and false about professional kitchens and dining experiences. They address misconceptions about tipping, kitchen operations, and the role of ambiance in shaping a guest’s experience.
Ten Restaurants That Got Their Start in Maryland
Maryland has been the birthplace of several beloved restaurant brands that have expanded beyond the state. From CAVA to Vocelli Pizza, these establishments began in local communities and grew into regional and national favorites.
8 Of The Most Ridiculous Restaurant Birthday Celebrations
Restaurants have hosted some of the most outrageous and hilarious birthday celebrations, ranging from over-the-top costumes and performances to food-based pranks. These memorable events highlight how eateries go beyond meals to create unique and entertaining experiences for their guests.
7 Restaurant Chains Serving the Best Chicken Wings Right Now
Seven restaurant chains are recognized for serving some of the best chicken wings in September 2025, known for their flavorful recipes and devoted fans. Among them are Wingstop, Hooters, Wings Etc., Pluckers Wing Bar, Twin Peaks, and Buffalo Wild Wings.
Forgotten Fast Food Items From The ’70s That We Want Back
The 1970s introduced several innovative fast-food items that have since been discontinued but remain fondly remembered. Among these were Taco Bell’s Bell Beefer, a taco-flavored burger; McDonald’s Chopped Beefsteak Sandwich, featuring a long beef patty with onions and steak sauce; and Long John Silver’s Peg-Legs, a fried chicken drumstick combo served with fries and crunchy batter bits.
Why Fajitas Always Taste Better At Mexican Restaurants, According To Chefs
Find out how Mexican restaurants make their fajitas taste so much better by using carefully selected cuts of meat, slicing against the grain for maximum tenderness, and marinating to boost flavor. These techniques combine to create the juicy, flavorful fajitas that are hard to replicate at home.
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