The Peach Cobbler Factory, Paris Baguette, Original ChopShop, Cracker Barrel, and Mountain Mike’s Pizza lead RestaurantNews.com’s Top 20 stories for the week ending February 15, 2026.
1) The Peach Cobbler Factory Accelerates National Expansion with New Charleston, South Carolina Location
The Peach Cobbler Factory is bringing its famous Southern comfort desserts to South Carolina with a brand-new Charleston location as part of its rapid national expansion. This milestone opening strengthens the brand’s footprint in the Southeast and introduces its full signature menu of handcrafted cobblers and puddings to the local community.
2) Paris Baguette Gears Up for Opening of Vinings Café on Feb. 18 as Brand Continues to Dominate the Bakery Café Space
Paris Baguette continues its rapid North American expansion with the opening of a new community-focused bakery café in Vinings, Georgia, led by franchise expert Kimberly O’Dell. This strategic addition to the Atlanta area offers the brand’s signature assortment of world-class cakes, fresh pastries, and chef-inspired sandwiches to a neighborhood seeking authentic bakery experiences.
3) Original ChopShop Continues Expansion With Fort Worth Medical District Opening
Original ChopShop is bringing its “feel good” fast-casual menu to the Fort Worth Medical District in late March 2026, offering opening-day giveaways and support for local mental health. This strategic expansion marks the brand’s 26th location, providing healthcare professionals and local residents with convenient access to a diverse menu of protein bowls, salads, and fresh juices.
4) Cracker Barrel Welcomes Spring with New Dishes and the Return of Classic Comforts
Cracker Barrel is ushering in the new season with a fresh spring menu that pairs returning guest favorites like the Ham Dinner with innovative additions like Smoky Southern Salmon and savory breakfast scrambles. These carefully curated selections aim to provide a comforting yet elevated dining experience, ensuring there is a delicious seasonal option for every member of the family.
5) Mountain Mike’s Pizza Records Impressive 2025 Driven by National Expansion, Widespread Industry Acclaim and Ongoing Brand Momentum
Mountain Mike’s Pizza achieved record-setting growth in 2025 by opening two-dozen new restaurants and reaching its 300th location milestone while preparing for further national expansion in 2026. This impressive momentum was fueled by significant same-store sales increases and strategic franchise development, solidifying the brand’s position as a dominant player in the competitive pizza segment.
6) Neopets Brings a Tea Party to Fans with a Limited-Time Gong cha Collaboration in U.S.
Gong cha and Neopets launch a limited-time collaboration featuring character-inspired themed drinks, collectible merchandise, and exclusive in-game digital rewards. This unique partnership aims to engage fans through a nostalgic yet interactive experience, blending the bubble tea brand’s popular flavors with the beloved virtual pet community.
7) Golden Corral Brings Back All-You-Can-Eat Butterfly Shrimp & Steak, Introduces NEW $7.99 Lobster Tail Add-On, Alongside NEW Campfire Marshmallow Beverages
Golden Corral brings back its fan-favorite All-You-Can-Eat Butterfly Shrimp and Signature Sirloin pairing, now featuring a new $7.99 lobster tail add-on and campfire marshmallow drinks. These seasonal additions provide guests with even more value and variety, reinforcing the brand’s reputation for offering hearty, customizable dining experiences for the whole family.
8) How to Be a Great Restaurant Guest: Tips for Diners
Being a great restaurant guest in 2026 is all about shifting the mindset from customer to participant by mastering the art of timing, communication, and mutual respect. This approach emphasizes that simple actions, like honoring reservation times and providing clear feedback, can significantly enhance the dining experience for both patrons and hardworking service teams.
9) President of Taco Cabana Announces the First Collaboration of 2026 With Cheetos Flamin’ Hot
Taco Cabana kicks off its first 2026 collaboration by partnering with Cheetos to launch the bold and spicy Cheetos Flamin’ Hot Queso Rojo collection at all Texas locations. This limited-time lineup features a variety of innovative items, including tacos, tortas, and loaded fries, designed to deliver a high-impact flavor experience to fans across the state.
10) Persistent Cost Increases and Enduring Demand Will Shape the Restaurant Industry in 2026
The 2026 State of the Restaurant Industry report forecasts record sales of $1.55 trillion as operators balance resilient consumer demand with persistent labor and margin pressures. To maintain profitability, industry leaders are increasingly leaning into technological innovation and operational efficiencies to navigate the complexities of a high-cost environment.
11) Portillo’s Appoints Brett Patterson as President & Chief Executive Officer
Portillo’s has named restaurant industry veteran Brett Patterson as its new President and CEO, effective February 23, 2026, to lead the iconic brand’s next chapter of national growth. Patterson brings extensive leadership experience from high-profile brands to the role, positioning him to oversee the company’s strategic expansion and commitment to operational excellence.
12) Twin Peaks Opens New Lodge in Fayetteville, North Carolina
Twin Peaks Restaurant is officially expanding its North Carolina presence with the grand opening of a new sports lodge in Fayetteville featuring scratch-made food and an immersive game-day viewing experience. This latest location offers 32 ice-cold beers on tap and numerous high-definition monitors, providing local sports fans with a premier destination for elevated dining and entertainment.
13) DalMoros Fresh Pasta To Go Celebrates Grand Opening In Gainesville, Florida On Thursday, February 19
DalMoros Fresh Pasta To Go is officially feeding Gator Nation with the grand opening of its first college campus location in Gainesville, featuring a “pasta cutting” ceremony and free pasta cards for the first 100 guests. This strategic expansion into the university market allows the brand to provide students and locals with high-quality, authentic Italian meals in a convenient, fast-casual format.
14) Expert Tips to Build and Scale a Restaurant Franchise
Franchising offers restaurant concepts a strategic pathway to accelerate revenue and increase brand recognition by implementing scalable business systems and mitigating legal risks through a regulated model. Success in this model requires a focus on rigorous operator selection and consistent operational standards to ensure the brand’s reputation remains protected during rapid national expansion.
15) Ovation Raises $3 Million in 100% Customer-Funded Round
Ovation has secured $3 million in new funding directly from its restaurant customers, proving that operators believe deeply in this guest experience and reputation management platform. This unique, customer-led investment round highlights the value of the platform’s real-time feedback tools in helping restaurants improve service quality and drive long-term brand loyalty.
16) J. Alexander’s Coming Soon to The Battery Atlanta
J. Alexander’s is expanding its Atlanta presence with a new location at The Battery Atlanta this spring, featuring game-day menus, a walk-up window, and over 90 new career opportunities. The premier dining destination will offer a sophisticated atmosphere and wood-fired cuisine, perfectly positioned to serve the high-traffic crowds and professional community surrounding Truist Park.
17) Krystal Introduces New Crispy Fish Slider and Krush’d Sodas for Spring
Krystal is celebrating the spring season with a new and improved Crispy Fish Slider and customizable Krush’d Sodas for a fun, budget-friendly Lenten menu. These seasonal additions provide guests with a high-value seafood option and a refreshing way to personalize their dining experience through a variety of unique flavor mix-ins.
18) Restaurant Marketing Ideas for March
The luck of the Irish is with restaurant owners and operators in need of a marketing angle during March. Beyond traditional St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, the month offers a diverse calendar of promotional opportunities including menu highlights days like Pi Day, National Meatball Day, and National Poultry Day.
19) Fresh, Bold, Protein-Packed: Wendy’s Introduces Two Savory Menu Innovations
Wendy’s is expanding its protein-packed lineup with the nationwide debut of the Cheesy Bacon Cheeseburger and a fresh Chicken Tenders Ranch Wrap, available at participating locations starting February 16. The new selections feature premium ingredients like crispy Applewood smoked bacon and seasoned white meat chicken, offering guests more variety and flavor in a convenient, portable format.
20) Taco John’s Brings Back SEA-sonal Seafood Favorites Featuring Wild-Caught Alaska Pollock
Taco John’s is bringing back its fan-favorite fish tacos alongside a brand-new premium Big Fish Sandwich featuring sustainably sourced, wild-caught Alaska Pollock for a limited time. These seasonal offerings provide guests with high-quality, flavorful seafood options that highlight the brand’s commitment to quality ingredients and value throughout the Lenten season.
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