R&R Brands, Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard, Mountain Mike’s Pizza, Bumpers, and Panda Express lead RestaurantNews.com’s Top 20 stories for the week ending July 13, 2025.
1) R&R Brands Launches to Elevate Hospitality and Entertainment Through Hands-On Leadership
R&R Brands has officially launched – a parent company and embedded operating partner powering a portfolio of nearly 50 restaurant and entertainment locations across seven states.
2) Rita’s Celebrates 35 Years with Longtime Franchisee Mitch Cove
Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard is marking a franchise milestone this summer: the 35th anniversary of longtime franchisee Mitch Cove, who opened the brand’s sixth location in 1990, just steps from where he grew up in Northeast Philadelphia.
3) Mountain Mike’s Pizza Continues National Expansion With Tennessee Debut in Nashville Area
Marking Mountain Mike’s entrance into its fifteenth state, the three-unit agreement continues the brand’s national expansion and reinforces its position as a force in the pizza category.
4) A Love Story Continues – Franchise Matchmaker and Restaurant Veteran Say ‘Yes’ to Bumpers Drive-In
Kat and Darren combined their strengths in franchise consulting and restaurant operations to become franchisees of Bumpers Drive-In – a Southern QSR brand they were both drawn to for its strong values, appealing menu, and impressive performance.
5) Panda Express Drops Highly-Requested Hot Orange Chicken, Igniting a ‘Swicy’ Summer Heat Wave and Immersive Fan Experience in NYC
The crispy chicken wok-tossed in an irresistible sweet and semi-spicy orange sauce accounts for one third of all entrées sold at Panda with the brand serving up 137 million pounds of the dish last year alone.
6) The Melt Opens in Tempe, Arizona, Expanding Presence in Maricopa County
The Melt is renowned for its handcrafted approach to comfort food. Its standout MeltBurger is made with a custom blend of Angus and Wagyu beef, smashed and smothered in aged cheddar directly on the grill.
7) Outback Steakhouse Makes a Splash with Return of the Aussie JAWSsie Cocktail and New Mocktail
Outback Steakhouse is diving into summer with the return of its wildly popular Aussie JAWSsie – a fin-tastic beverage that first made waves across social media for its dangerously delicious flavor and interactive, shark-themed presentation.
8) Del Taco Expands to North Carolina with First-Ever Location Now Open in Durham
This location marks Del Taco’s first in North Carolina, adding to the brand’s systemwide growth and underscoring its commitment to bringing craveable favorites – like burgers, tacos, burritos, quesadillas and freshly made guacamole – to new fans across the country.
9) Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ Wins People’s Choice Award at 1st Annual Hogs N’ Dogs Grilling Competition
Crave Savannah competed against 15 other companies and proudly secured 1st Place People’s Choice for their standout entry, the Chicago-ish Dog, delighting judges and attendees alike.
10) I Scream Gelato Celebrates Arizona Expansion – 5 New Stores Coming Soon
With eyes on key markets like Houston and Georgia, I Scream Gelato is working to secure three more locations in each of those areas, with plans to add 20 new stores by the close of 2025.
11) Taco Cabana Expands Beverage Lineup With Cabana Refreshers in Five Vibrant Flavors
Beginning July 23, the iconic Texas-born brand is launching Cabana Refreshers, a crisp, colorful and craveable line of flavored lemonades available in Peach, Strawberry, Mango, Blackberry and Pink Blend (a strawberry-mango fusion that raises the flavor bar to new heights).
12) Ono Hawaiian BBQ Opens Goodyear Store – Further Expanding Their Arizona Presence
This new location adds to Ono Hawaiian BBQ’s network of over 115 restaurants across California and Arizona. Known for its fresh, made-to-order plate meals and Hawaiian-inspired cuisine, Ono Hawaiian BBQ takes pride in marinating its proteins in-house and grilling to order.
13) Free Ice Cream for All! Friendly’s Turns 90 with a Scoop-Worthy Birthday Weekend Bash
Free ice cream? Yes, please. Friendly’s America’s iconic ice cream and diner-style destination – is turning 90 and celebrating the only way it knows how: with sweet surprises, unbeatable value and a weekend-long birthday bash.
14) Pure Green Accelerates National Expansion, Cementing Position as One of the Fastest-Growing Juice Bar Franchises in the U.S.
Pure Green, the functional wellness brand on a mission to build healthier communities through clean, nutrient-dense smoothies, açaí bowls, cold-pressed juices and wellness shots, is rapidly expanding its footprint and closing in on a major milestone: 100 open locations by early 2026.
15) Squeeze In Coming Soon to Reno Experience District
Squeeze In, the happy-go-lively breakfast and lunch spot known for serving up the best omelettes on the planet since 1974, announced that its newest Reno location will open in spring 2026, in the Reno Experience District at 2020 Red Drive.
16) CHART Honors Larry Ryback, CEO of Jim ‘N Nick’s Community BBQ, with its 2025 Commitment to People Award
The Council of Hotel and Restaurant Trainers (CHART) announced today that Larry Ryback, CEO of Jim ‘N Nick’s Community BBQ, has been honored with its 2025 Commitment to People Award. This prestigious accolade recognizes Larry’s exceptional dedication to the development and well-being of his team members within the hospitality industry.
17) SAMBAZON Opens First New York Location in Brooklyn with Free Açaí Bowls for Guests
To celebrate their first location in New York, SAMBAZON will host a Grand Opening event on Saturday, July 19, with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 11:00 a.m. The first 200 guests in line will receive a free Açaí bowl, and the celebration will feature live set by local Brooklyn DJs, adding a festive energy to the community-focused event.
18) Handel’s Ice Cream Celebrates 80 Years of Sweet Success
Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream is marking its 80th anniversary with more momentum than ever, coming off a record year of growth in 2024 and celebrating eight decades of craftsmanship, community and award winning ice cream.
19) California Tortilla Brings the Fun Back for Discovery Channel’s Shark Week
Starting Wednesday, July 23, guests who purchase a fish taco will receive a free Shark Fin Hat, available only in-store while supplies last. To keep the flavor frenzy going, guests who wear the hat back by the end of the month get a Free Fish Taco when they make any purchase.
20) Newk’s Eatery Introduces New “Pick 3” and Steak Offerings
Temperatures are rising and Newk’s Eatery is keeping things fresh with its new Pick 3 – a customizable trio of fan-favorites. This promotion coincides with the release of a new lineup of limited-time specials.