Mountain Mike’s Pizza, TGI Fridays, Guy Fieri’s Downtown Flavortown Myrtle Beach, Lola Beans, Newk’s Eatery lead RestaurantNews.com’s Top 20 stories for the week ending September 20, 2026.
1) Mountain Mike’s Pizza Names Sheena Dougher Chief Marketing Officer
Mountain Mike’s Pizza has brought on restaurant industry veteran Sheena Dougher as its new Chief Marketing Officer to guide brand strategy and growth. She arrives with more than two decades of marketing experience, having held senior leadership roles at major concepts like Jack in the Box, Rubio’s Coastal Grill, and Yoshinoya Japanese Kitchen.
2) TGI Fridays Goes All In on the Full Dining Experience with New 3 For All Menu Starting at $11.99
TGI Fridays is serving up a new wallet-friendly “3 for All” deal that pairs a drink, starter, and full-sized entree starting at just $11.99. Guests can start with appetizers like Mozzarella Sticks or Pan-Seared Potstickers before enjoying entrees such as Chicken Quesadillas, Crispy Chicken Sandwiches or Sliced Steak Frites.
3) Guy Fieri’s Downtown Flavortown Myrtle Beach Celebrates Official Grand Opening With Ribbon Cutting
Guy Fieri’s Downtown Flavortown in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, combines a full-service restaurant featuring signature menu items and craft cocktails with an expansive family entertainment center. Developed by FACE Amusement Group, the venue offers guests a full dining experience alongside a state-of-the-art arcade and a 14-lane bowling alley.
4) Lola Beans Heads to Miami with Five-Unit Development Deal
Lola Beans has signed a five-unit development agreement to introduce its dual drive-thru beverage concept to the Miami market. Franchisees Daniela Gonzalez and Joangel Lopez plan to bring the brand’s specialty coffees, infused sodas, and energy drinks to South Florida over the next five years.
5) Newk’s Eatery Teams Up With Three SEC Powerhouses in New Two-Year Partnerships
Newk’s Eatery has entered into two-year athletics partnerships with the University of Alabama, Ole Miss, and the University of Georgia. The agreements cover multiple men’s and women’s sports programs with in-venue signage, NIL partnerships, catering opportunities, and a “We Win, You Win” promotion that rewards qualifying team victories with a free Newk’s Classic Pizza.
6) Slim Chickens Launches Dr Pepper Blasted Tenders, Tender Bites and Wings
Slim Chickens has teamed up with Dr Pepper to introduce a limited-time “Dr Pepper Blasted” sweet and savory dry seasoning. The proprietary blend is tossed over cooked tenders, tender bites, and wings at no extra charge across all domestic locations.
7) Del Taco Turns up the Heat With New Flamin’ Hot Flavored Queso Limited-Time-Offer Lineup
Del Taco is cranking up the spice across its menu with a limited-time lineup featuring new Flamin’ Hot flavored Queso. Diners can enjoy the spicy cheese blend drizzled over fan favorites like beef rollers, crispy chicken burritos, loaded fries, and fresh tortilla chips.
8) Friendly’s Introduces the Conehead Crew, Turning Kids Meals Into a Collectible Adventure
Friendly’s has revamped its family dining experience by pairing a updated kids’ menu with collectible Conehead Crew trading card packs. Young diners can collect and trade 18 unique cards inspired by the brand’s iconic ice cream sundae characters while enjoying refreshed meal options and interactive activity sheets.
9) Crêpe Expectations: Sweet Paris Whisks Open Its First North Carolina Location in Cary
Sweet Paris Crêperie & Café has debuted its first North Carolina location in Cary, offering an all-day Parisian dining escape. Guests can enjoy sweet and savory crêpes alongside waffles, paninis, specialty matcha beverages, and handcrafted lattes in a chic cafe setting.
10) Bennigan’s and Steak and Ale Celebrate National Monte Cristo Day With Iconic World Famous Monte Cristo
Bennigan’s and Steak and Ale celebrated National Monte Cristo Day with a buy-one, get-one-free offer on their signature batter-dipped, fried sandwich. Alongside the holiday promotion, Bennigan’s is rolling out fall menu additions including the Reuben Burger, Beer Cheese Soup, and seasonal Oktoberfest cocktails.
11) Cheba Hut Lights Up the East Coast With First-Ever Virginia Joint in Midlothian
Cheba Hut Toasted Subs is expanding its East Coast footprint with its first Virginia location in Midlothian. Franchisee WAHi Brands Inc. is bringing the cannabis-themed sandwich joint to Chesterfield County, featuring a 12-tap bar, outdoor patio, custom local mural, and over 30 signature toasted subs.
12) Clean Juice Introduces Apple Harvest Menu for Fall
Clean Juice is bringing autumn flavors to its lineup with the launch of its new Apple Harvest menu. The seasonal offerings feature a refreshing Apple Cider Juice blended with apple, lemon and pumpkin spice, alongside a creamy Caramel Apple Smoothie topped with a date-based caramel drizzle.
13) Ojos Locos Sports Cantina Wakes Up Early for Football Fans with New Breakfast Menu and Game Day Specials
Ojos Locos Sports Cantina is opening early on weekends to launch its first-ever breakfast lineup for football season. The new morning menu features Latin-inspired dishes like chilaquiles and breakfast burritos, paired with drink specials and full bar access for sports fans.
14) Original ChopShop Opens at CityLine Market
Original ChopShop is expanding its presence in the Dallas-Fort Worth area with a new location at CityLine Market in Richardson. The spot marks the brand’s 16th Texas store and brings its customizable bowls, salads, sandwiches, juices, and protein shakes to the local community.
15) How Food Courts in Office Buildings Are Changing the Way People Live, Work, and Dine
Modern office building food courts are shifting from simple daytime amenities into night-time dining destinations for nearby residents. By using flexible seating layouts and remaining open later, these spaces allow commercial property owners to generate extra revenue while providing convenient dining options for the community.
16) Restaurant News Bites: Haunted Restaurants, Southern Diners, a 13-Year-Old Restaurant Owner, and More!
This roundup of dining trends covers everything from spooky haunted eateries and a 13-year-old running a sandwich shop to the hidden financial costs of earning a Michelin star. Other highlights touch on phone-free dining policies, shifting drinks preferences among younger guests, and the steady rise of solo dining reservations across the country.
17) Mo’ Bettahs Brings More Aloha to Oklahoma With Seventh Restaurant
Mo’ Bettahs Hawaiian Style Food is expanding its presence in Oklahoma with a new location in northern Oklahoma City. The brand serves authentic island-style plate lunches featuring options like teriyaki chicken, kalua pig, and katsu chicken alongside steamed rice and macaroni salad.
18) Prince St. Pizza’s Famous Sicilian Squares Are Going Solo
Prince St. Pizza is turning its signature Sicilian-style square pies into single-serving meals with the debut of the Personal Prince Pie. Available in nine different varieties across all locations, this limited-time offer includes a complimentary dipping sauce and must be ordered directly through the brand’s website.
19) Crispy Chicken Goes West-Mex at Taco John’s
Taco John’s is revamping its menu with a new crispy chicken lineup created using customer feedback. The expanded offerings include chicken tenders, a crispy chicken taco, and a grilled burrito stuffed with chicken and Potato Olés.
https://www.restaurantnews.com/taco-johns-crispy-chicken-tenders-tacos-burritos-091426/
20) Newk’s Eatery Welcomes Fall With Lasagna Soup and Pumpkin Spice Cake
Newk’s Eatery is ushering in autumn with a limited-time menu featuring Lasagna Soup and scratch-baked Pumpkin Spice Cake. The chain is also introducing personal-sized pizzas that can be bundled into its new Pick 2 and Pick 3 meal combinations.