R&R Brands, Hotel Dining, Wendy’s, Twin Peaks, and Stone Groove Stillhouse lead RestaurantNews.com’s Top 20 stories for the week ending July 27, 2025.
1) R&R Brands Doubles Down on Louisiana Roots with New Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux in Central
R&R Brands, the largest Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux franchisee and a rapidly growing multi-concept hospitality and entertainment company, is celebrating a major milestone with the opening of its 12th Walk-On’s restaurant in Baton Rouge on Monday, July 28.
2) Hotel Dining Steps Into The Spotlight: OpenTable and KAYAK Debut The Top 100 Hotel Restaurants in America
Hotel restaurants are no longer just convenient pit stops for weary travelers – they’ve become destinations in their own right. New insights from OpenTable and KAYAK cement a growing cultural shift: travelers are choosing where to go and stay based on what they want to eat.
3) There’s Nothing Happy About This Meal: Wendy’s and Netflix’s Wednesday Cook Up a “Meal of Misfortune”
Launching in restaurants nationwide on August 4, Wendy’s exclusive collaboration with Netflix’s hit show, Wednesday, includes new “Raven’s Blood” Frosty and four mystery “Dips of Dread” sauces.
4) BOGO Wings on National Chicken Wing Day at Twin Peaks
In honor of National Chicken Wing Day, Twin Peaks is dishing out a crave-worthy deal: Buy six wings, get six free. The offer is valid on any style of wings – bone-in, boneless, breaded or naked – excluding Smoked & Grilled.
5) Stone Groove Stillhouse Debuts World’s First “Audio Stillhouse” in Anaheim
A revolutionary new concept is set to shake the spirits world, and it’s unlike anything that’s come before. Stone Groove Stillhouse, the world’s first and only audio stillhouse, has opened at the historic MAKE Building in Anaheim.
6) Keke’s Breakfast Cafe Celebrates 10 Openings in the First Half of 2025, Eyes Continued Growth in Key U.S. Markets
Keke’s Breakfast Cafe, the high-volume, low-hour breakfast and brunch franchise backed by Denny’s Corporation, is celebrating a strong first half of the year with record-setting openings, a vibrant new cafe design and continued expansion across high-potential United States markets.
7) Applebee’s National Chicken Wing Day Deal Returns – Buy One Order To Go, Get a Second for Free
On July 29, enjoy a FREE order of America’s Favorite Boneless Wings or Classic Bone-In Wings with a chicken wing purchase for To Go or Delivery on Applebees.com or the Applebee’s mobile app.
8) Bob Evans Farmhouse Kitchen Debuts Three New Menu Specials
From an all-in-one breakfast for hearty appetites to a sweet and savory dish topped with Honey Butter to zesty buffalo chicken, these meals are perfect for guests to enjoy any day of the week.
9) Biscuit Belly Builds for the Future as Franchise Momentum Sets Stage for Record-Breaking 2026
With a new restaurant open in South Carolina and multiple deals in the works, Biscuit Belly’s Southern brunch franchise is gearing up for its biggest year yet.
10) The Wendy’s Company Names Pete Suerken President, U.S.
Pete Suerken will report to Wendy’s interim CEO Ken Cook and serve on the Wendy’s Senior Leadership Team. Suerken will succeed Abigail Pringle, who has served as President, U.S. since 2024 and will depart the company in the coming weeks to pursue other opportunities.
11) Rock N’ Roll Sushi Enters Agreement to Bring Multiple New Units to Nashville
Rock N’ Roll Sushi has signed a multi-unit development deal to expand its Sushi Amplified footprint in the greater Music City market. This announcement follows rapid growth across the Southeast and marks a strategic push into a thriving culinary region.
12) Eggs Up Grill Nears 100th Location with 11 Openings, New Loyalty Program, and Franchise Growth Leadership in 2025
Eggs Up Grill opened six new restaurants and is on pace to reach its 100th location in Q3, a milestone that reflects the growing demand for its high-quality breakfast and lunch experience in communities across the country.
13) Whataburger Saddles Up with the New Bacon Wrangler Double: A Burger as Big and Bold as the Lone Star State
The Lone Star State doesn’t do anything halfway – and neither does Whataburger. Say howdy to the all-new Bacon Wrangler Double, a burger so bold, so proud and so over-the-top delicious, it just might be the most Texas thing on a toasted bun.
14) Red Robin Introduces the Big Yummm Burger Deal for $9.99
Available now, guests can get their hands on the YUMMM-iest burger deal in town, featuring a Red’s Double Tavern Burger, Bottomless Side and Bottomless Beverage for less than ten bucks.
15) Happy Joe’s Hits Midyear Milestones with Record-Breaking Sales and Continued Growth
As Happy Joe’s Pizza and Ice Cream crosses the halfway point of 2025, it is celebrating a series of standout achievements, including record-breaking sales, national recognition and a wave of strategic growth.
16) Mendocino Farms to Open First Arizona Location at Scottsdale Promenade
California-based Mendocino Farms has chosen Scottsdale Promenade for its first Arizona location, marking a significant step in the popular sandwich and salad shop’s continued national expansion.
17) Camino Farms Market Opens its Doors in Mission Valley with a Beautifully Curated Design by Mindful Design Consulting
Designed by Mindful Design Consulting, the new Camino Farms Market introduces a visual and functional language that reflects the quality of the products it offers – organic, thoughtful, and deeply connected to nature and wellness.
18) Subway Names Jonathan Fitzpatrick as Chief Executive Officer
With more than two decades of franchising and quick service restaurant experience, Fitzpatrick has a proven track record of elevating sales and operational performance across global networks.
19) Urban Bird Hot Chicken Celebrates the Grand Opening of its 21st Location at 1014 Wirt Rd, Houston, TX 77055
Known for its bold flavors, handcrafted hot chicken and unique menu, Urban Bird Hot Chicken continues its expansion across the nation with this exciting new opening and franchising program offering aspiring entrepreneurs and fans of the brand an opportunity to own a piece of the Urban Bird legacy.
20) East Coast Wings + Grill Turns Up the Heat for National Chicken Wing Day With 25-Cent Wings, Double Rewards, Flavor Frenzy Challenge, and New Brand Mascot
East Coast Wings + Grill (ECW+G) – the full-service, family dining franchise that is the ultimate casual dining spot for wing lovers – is giving their fans plenty of reasons to celebrate National Chicken Wing Day on July 29.