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Hat Creek Burger Company, Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar, Krispy Kreme, Papa Murphy’s, and April Restaurant Deals lead RestaurantNews.com’s Top 20 stories for the week ending March 29, 2026.
1) The Crowd Goes Wild for Free Cheeseburgers During Sweet 16 Week
Hat Creek Burger Company celebrated the Sweet 16 by giving away free cheeseburgers to the first 50 guests at every location on March 26. This high-energy promotion invited fans to enjoy signature fresh-pressed burgers and a festive game-day atmosphere during one of the biggest weeks in college basketball.
2) Bad Daddy’s Steps Up to the Plate with Ballpark Burger
Bad Daddy’s has introduced a unique culinary creation for April featuring a seven-ounce patty topped with a smoky grilled hot dog, pickled jalapeños, and crunchy tortilla chips. This limited-time offering is finished with housemade jalapeño cheddar sauce and can be paired with a refreshing draft beer special throughout the month.
3) The Hunt is Over! Krispy Kreme is Filling Baskets with Egg-cellent New Easter Doughnuts
Krispy Kreme has introduced a festive seasonal lineup featuring playful designs like baby chicks and strawberry-filled eggs to brighten spring celebrations. These limited-time treats are available at participating shops and select grocery retailers, offering a sweet way to fill holiday baskets this year.
4) Papa Murphy’s Launches its First-Ever Detroit-Style Pizza
Papa Murphy’s has introduced a new take-and-bake option that features a square shape with crispy edges and a light, airy center. Available through May 17, 2026, this limited-time offering can be ordered with mini cup pepperoni or as a customizable two-topping creation starting at $10.99.
5) April Restaurant Deals for Brunch Month, Burrito Day, Easter, and More!
The upcoming month brings a wide array of dining incentives across the industry to celebrate National Brunch Month, National Burrito Day, and Easter. From festive prix-fixe menus and holiday buffets to BOGO burrito offers and game-day watch party packages, these limited-time promotions provide numerous opportunities for guests to enjoy significant value.
6) The Peach Cobbler Factory Continues Expansion with Memphis Franchisees Opening 5th and 6th Locations
The Peach Cobbler Factory is expanding its footprint in Memphis with two new locations led by franchisees Otis and Janie Jackson. In addition to these new storefronts, the brand is targeting high-traffic travel hubs with plans to establish a presence at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.
7) Dairy Queen Serves Up Early Access to Summer Vibes with “Countdown to Summer” Collection, Featuring a New Blizzard Treat and the Return of Two Fan Favorites
Dairy Queen is celebrating the warmer months with the launch of a seasonal collection featuring the new Strawberry Angel Food Cake treat and the return of nostalgic flavors like S’mores and Cotton Candy. To celebrate the debut, the brand is offering a buy one, get one for 99 cents digital deal via its mobile app from March 30 through April 26.
8) Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken Expands in South Carolina With Six New Locations
Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken has signed a major development agreement with award-winning franchisee Harris Mullis to establish six new locations across South Carolina. This strategic growth initiative aims to bring the brand’s signature honey-dipped chicken and homestyle sides to more communities throughout the region over the coming years.
9) Shoney’s Invites America to Enjoy Its Easter Feast on Sunday, April 5, 2026, with an All You Care to Eat Fresh Food Bar Featuring Delicious Holiday Favorites
Shoney’s is celebrating Easter Sunday on April 5 by offering an expansive holiday buffet featuring traditional seasonal staples like sliced ham and herb-roasted chicken. This family-friendly dining event provides guests with an all-you-care-to-eat experience that includes homestyle sides and a variety of signature desserts.
10) Jersey Mike’s Donates All Sales To 2026 Special Olympics USA Games Wednesday, March 25
Jersey Mike’s donated 100 percent of all sales on a nationwide “Day of Giving” to support the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. This charitable initiative served as the culmination of a month-long fundraising campaign aimed at assisting athletes and their families.
11) Bobby’s Burgers by Bobby Flay Continues Expansion in Utah with New Holladay Opening
Bobby’s Burgers by Bobby Flay expanded its presence in Utah with the grand opening of a new location in the Holladay Hill shopping center. Owned and operated by franchisee Joe Sample, the restaurant introduced local diners to Chef Bobby Flay’s signature menu featuring the Bacon Crunchburger, unique fries, and spoon-bending shakes.
12) In Her First Year, We Sell Restaurants Partner Allison Gregory Has Already Rewritten the Playbook
Allison Gregory marked a highly successful first year as a We Sell Restaurants franchise partner by significantly impacting the local business brokerage landscape. Through a commitment to the brand’s specialized training and proven systems, she successfully facilitated numerous restaurant transactions and established a strong reputation for expertise in the industry.
13) Juice It Up! Returns for Fourth Season as a Proud Partner of Angels Baseball
Juice It Up! returned for its fourth consecutive season as the Official Smoothie and Raw Juice Partner of the Los Angeles Angels. Through this ongoing partnership, the brand continues to provide fans with a variety of handcrafted, functional smoothies and acai bowls throughout the stadium.
14) BIGGBY COFFEE Launches Limited-Time Cherry Sakura Red Bull Lineup for Spring Energy Boost
BIGGBY COFFEE introduced a seasonal lineup of Cherry Sakura-flavored beverages, featuring a unique blend of floral notes and sweet cherry profiles. These limited-time offerings provided a refreshing spring energy boost through various preparations, including lattes and specialized Red Bull infusions.
15) Delmonico’s Hospitality Group Appoints Adam Plitt as Executive Chef and Secures Midtown Location for New Delmonico’s Restaurant
Delmonico’s Hospitality Group appointed Adam Plitt as the Executive Chef for its upcoming Midtown Manhattan location, bringing over two decades of culinary expertise to the legendary brand. In this new role, Chef Plitt will oversee the menu development and kitchen operations to ensure the restaurant maintains its historic reputation for fine dining excellence.
16) Chili Shack Appoints New COO Amid National Expansion
Chili Shack appointed Elizabeth Orona as the brand’s new Chief Operating Officer to spearhead a strategic nationwide expansion. Bringing over two decades of industry leadership experience, Orona focused on optimizing operational systems and supporting franchise partners to accelerate the company’s growth.
17) Nobibi Announces Major 2026 Expansion with New Franchise Signings and Global Growth Strategy
Nobibi secured multiple new franchise agreements as part of a strategic initiative to accelerate its global presence and market share. These latest signings highlighted the brand’s commitment to international growth by bringing its unique dessert and beverage concepts to a broader audience.
18) Coast to Coast! Dickey’s Barbecue Pit Solidifies Major Restaurant Deals in Q1 to Bring Legit. Texas. Barbecue. to New Communities Across the U.S.
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit accelerated its growth in the first quarter of 2026 by securing several new development agreements across multiple states. These strategic expansion deals strengthened the brand’s presence in key markets and continued its momentum as a leader in the fast-casual barbecue segment.
19) Huckleberry’s Breakfast & Lunch Accelerates Texas Expansion
Huckleberry’s Breakfast and Lunch signed a multi-unit development agreement to bring its unique Southern-inspired flavors to the Texas market. This strategic expansion marked a significant milestone for the brand as it introduced its signature “Southern Cooking with a California Twist” to diners in the Lone Star State.
20) Teriyaki Madness Expands to Long Island with Opening of North Babylon Location
Teriyaki Madness expanded its New York footprint with the grand opening of a new shop in North Babylon, marking a significant addition to the Long Island dining scene. Local owners introduced the community to the brand’s signature Seattle-style teriyaki bowls, featuring high-quality proteins and fresh vegetables prepared in an open-concept kitchen.
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