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Off The Hook, Summit Hospitality Group, Beyond Juicery + Eatery, Mountain Mike’s Pizza, and BUMPERS lead RestaurantNews.com’s Top 20 stories for the week ending August 2, 2026.
1) Off The Hook Restaurants Announces Expansion into Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Off the Hook Seafood Restaurant is expanding its footprint into Hattiesburg, Mississippi, bringing its popular Cajun and Creole menu to a brand-new community. Guests can look forward to signature Louisiana-style favorites, including boiled crawfish, po’boys, fried seafood platters, and étouffée.
2) Summit Hospitality Group Appoints Industry Leader Kim Halloran as Vice President of Operations
Summit Hospitality Group has named industry veteran Kim Halloran as Vice President of Operations to help steer the company through its next phase of growth across the Kansas City region. Bringing more than 30 years of restaurant leadership experience – including a long tenure with The Capital Grille – Halloran will focus on cultivating team culture and elevating guest experiences across the brand’s expanding portfolio.
3) Flo Rida Joins Beyond Juicery + Eatery in Landmark Multi-Million-Dollar Strategic Partnership to Accelerate the Brand’s Next Generation of Growth
Beyond Juicery + Eatery has joined forces with Grammy-nominated artist and entrepreneur Flo Rida, who has taken an equity stake in the fast-casual brand to propel its nationwide growth. The strategic multi-million-dollar partnership will focus on expanding the healthy dining concept throughout South Florida and driving market innovation across the wellness and lifestyle sectors.
4) Mountain Mike’s Pizza Opens Wenatchee Location, Expanding Washington State Presence
Mountain Mike’s Pizza has expanded its Washington state footprint with a new restaurant opening in Wenatchee, marking the family-style chain’s entry into Chelan County. Owned and operated by local franchisees Mike and Stephanie Andler, the family-friendly venue features a weekday lunch buffet, big-screen televisions, an arcade area, and the brand’s signature crispy pepperoni pizzas.
5) BUMPERS Restaurant: A Brand With Room to Grow!
Experienced restaurant operator James Brown is bringing the Mississippi-based BUMPERS Drive-In concept to Henderson, Texas, leveraging more than two decades of industry management background. Known for made-to-order comfort foods and accessible franchise investments, the brand provides a community-focused dining experience backed by strong corporate support and flexible operational models.
6) Krispy Kreme Invites Fans on a Sweet Escape With New Destination Dessert Collection
Krispy Kreme has debuted its new limited-time Destination Dessert Collection, taking inspiration from classic Latin American sweet treats for the latest stop on its global flavor tour. The lineup features three new filled specialty doughnuts, including a Tres Leches-inspired creation, a Guava Cheesecake flavor, and a chocotorta-inspired Choco Dulce Cookie Crunch option available in shops, online, and through the brand’s mobile app.
7) RestaurantData Estimates 8,171 Restaurant Closures in First Half of 2026
A market analysis from RestaurantData reveals that an estimated 8,171 restaurant locations closed across the United States and Canada during the first half of the year, split almost evenly between chain brands and independent operators. The research highlights distinct industry trends, with chain operations driving the majority of quick-service and sandwich concept closures while independent businesses accounted for most shuttered casual and family-dining establishments.
8) Farmer Boys Celebrates 45 Years of Farm Fresh Fare With a Big Burger Hunt, Birthday Deals, and More!
Farmer Boys is marking its 45th anniversary with a month-long celebration featuring giveaways, special menu discounts, and an interactive scavenger hunt across select West Coast regions. Fans can follow social media clues to track down the brand’s Giant Burger truck for a chance to win a burger party for themselves and 45 friends, alongside limited-time deals on signature menu items.
9) Mountain Mike’s Pizza Continues Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex Expansion With Murphy Opening
Mountain Mike’s Pizza has expanded its Texas presence with a new restaurant opening in Murphy, marking the family-style chain’s sixteenth location in the state. Owned and operated by local franchisees Timothy Fogarty and Vanessa Lomelí-Fogarty, the family-friendly venue features signature 20-inch pizzas, an outdoor patio, a weekday lunch buffet, big-screen televisions, and an arcade area.
10) FSC Franchise Co. Builds Midyear Momentum Across Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, The Brass Tap and Newk’s Eatery
FSC Franchise Co. is building momentum across its multi-brand portfolio after opening seven locations and signing five new franchise agreements during the first half of the year. The hospitality franchisor is projecting 18 total store openings across Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, The Brass Tap, and Newk’s Eatery by year-end while pursuing strategic initiatives like streamlined operations and more efficient restaurant prototypes.
11) Press Quesadilla Grill Begins a New Chapter of Growth with Second Location in Arroyo Grande
Press Quesadilla Grill has expanded its Central Coast presence by opening its second location in Arroyo Grande, California. Developed by Heritage Restaurant Brands, the customizable Mexican eatery offers build-your-own quesadillas, bowls, salads, and burritos while preparing for broader franchise growth across California and Arizona.
12) Shark Club Sports Bar & Grill Expands Texas Presence With Northlake Opening
Shark Club Sports Bar & Grill is expanding its Texas footprint with a new venue inside the Children’s Health StarCenter Multisport complex in Northlake. The 5,000-square-foot destination features 37 televisions, an outdoor patio overlooking pickleball courts, and a menu of shareable appetizers, burgers, and handhelds for sports fans and families.
13) Amazing Brands and The Siegel Group Appoint Jenn Johnston as Chief Marketing Officer
Amazing Brands and The Siegel Group have appointed industry veteran Jenn Johnston as Chief Marketing Officer to lead enterprise marketing strategy and brand development. Johnston brings nearly thirty years of executive experience in hospitality, franchising, and multi-unit businesses to support the organizations’ ongoing expansion.
14) Let’s Show ‘Em A Good Time: Kura Sushi USA Partners with ATLUS to Bring the Immersive World of Persona to Restaurants Nationwide
Kura Sushi USA has teamed up with video game publisher ATLUS for a limited-time promotional campaign featuring the beloved Persona franchise across restaurants nationwide. The interactive dining experience treats revolving sushi guests to themed menu items, collectible capsule prizes, and exclusive animated character shorts through the brand’s interactive platform.
15) CRISP & GREEN Grows Greater Omaha Presence With New Papillion Location
CRISP & GREEN is expanding its footprint in Greater Omaha with a new store opening in Papillion, Nebraska. Owned and operated by franchisee Brent Bunz of Rontu Inc., the health-focused fast-casual venue features chef-crafted grain bowls, salads, wraps, and smoothies alongside community wellness programming.
16) Mellow Mushroom Builds Midyear Momentum With Six Franchise Deals, Upcoming Restaurant Openings and Expansion Into New Markets
Mellow Mushroom is advancing its franchise growth after securing six new deals and preparing for four upcoming store openings across key target areas. The iconic pizza chain is also entering new territories, including its debut in Montana, while introducing a compact “Fast Fine” restaurant prototype to streamline real estate acquisition.
17) Dog Haus Enters Mexico, Launching Multi-Unit Expansion With First Restaurant in Mérida
Dog Haus has launched its first permanent international restaurant in Mérida, Yucatán, initiating a multi-unit expansion plan across Mexico. The new venue serves the brand’s signature burgers, craft sausages, and breakfast burritos in an upgraded space featuring stadium-style seating, a large video wall, a full-service bar, and a family arcade.
18) Newk’s Eatery Promotes 20-Year Veteran Matt Wilson to Chief Operating Officer
Newk’s Eatery has promoted twenty-year company veteran Matt Wilson to the position of Chief Operating Officer. Wilson began his career as an assistant manager at the brand’s original restaurant before advancing through various leadership roles to oversee corporate and franchise operations.
19) The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill Opens in Coral Springs, Enhancing Fresh Mediterranean Flavor in South Florida
The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill has opened a new fast-casual location in Coral Springs, Florida, bringing authentic recipes and scratch-made dishes to the local dining scene. Owned and operated by Ashiqur Rahman Shubir alongside business partner Mohammed S. Islam, the 1,600-square-foot restaurant features customizable gyros, rice bowls, signature side items, and full-service event catering.
20) August Restaurant Deals for Back to School, Beer Day, Filet Mignon Day, and More!
Restaurants across the nation are offering limited-time promotions to help diners save during back-to-school season and key August food holidays. Featured deals include discounted kid meals, specialized beverage offerings, discounted happy hour sandwiches, and steak and wine pairings across popular fast-casual and upscale concepts.
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