Taco Cabana, Nathan’s Famous, TGI Fridays, Nick the Greek, and The Peach Cobbler Factory lead RestaurantNews.com’s Top 20 stories for the week ending February 22, 2026.
1) Taco Cabana Introduces Fan-Created Margarita, Popcorn Shrimp and Fajita Melt Tacos
Taco Cabana is shaking up its menu with a new lineup of limited-time offerings, including crispy popcorn shrimp, cheesy fajita melts, and a fan-inspired cherry margarita. Check out the full lineup of Taco Cabana’s newest seasonal flavors to see how guest creativity is driving this high-value expansion.
2) Nathan’s Famous Announces Opening of New Location in Tucson, Arizona
Nathan’s Famous has officially opened a new location on North 4th Avenue in Tucson, bringing its legendary New York flavors to the heart of the historic and entertainment district. This latest expansion offers a full fast-casual menu, including world-famous hot dogs, crinkle-cut fries, and NY Cheesesteaks, to serve the local university community and visitors alike.
3) TGI Fridays Pours on the Cheese and Turns Up the Sizzle With New Fondue-It Lineup
TGI Fridays is amping up its experiential dining with the new Fondue-It lineup, which offers a $3 tableside cheese pour to upgrade several fan-favorite dishes. This innovative rollout also features unique additions like the FRRIB sandwich and a viral-inspired Dubai Chocolate Espresso Martini to round out the celebratory menu.
4) Nick the Greek Accelerates Momentum in 2025 With Expanded Development Activities and Impressive Culinary Introductions
Nick the Greek closed out a successful 2025 by opening 14 new locations and nearing the 100-unit milestone, a growth spurt that reflects high consumer demand for authentic Greek street food. This momentum is supported by popular new menu additions like the Mediterranean Bowl and Pistachio Cream Froyo, positioning the brand for further national expansion in 2026.
5) The Peach Cobbler Factory Aggressive Expansion in Georgia Signals Category Leadership in the Dessert Franchise Sector
The Peach Cobbler Factory is continuing its rapid expansion across Georgia with the opening of a new location in Stone Mountain, bringing its full lineup of handcrafted cobblers and banana puddings to the local community. This latest debut is part of a broader strategy to establish the brand as a national category leader in the dessert space through a growing network of traditional stores, mobile trailers, and catering services.
6) Farmer Boys Puts Its Name on the Line and Its Values on the Plate
Farmer Boys is reinforcing its 45-year foundation of real farming values by highlighting signature menu items like the Farmer’s Burger and Farmer’s Chopped Cobb Salad. These offerings are supported by a new “Farmstand Fresh & Affordable” menu and ongoing charitable initiatives, emphasizing the brand’s dedication to fresh ingredients and community support.
7) Fast-Casual Dessert and Beverage Franchise Café 86 Signs Two New Franchise Agreements in California
Café 86 is accelerating its West Coast expansion after signing two new franchise agreements to bring its ube-centric dessert concept to Monterey County and Indio, California. With these latest deals, the brand moves closer to the 50-location milestone as it continues to share its unique Filipino-inspired flavors with new communities.
8) la Madeleine Builds Momentum After Year of Accelerated Progress
la Madeleine is entering 2026 with significant momentum after a year of strategic refinements, including a refreshed brand identity and the successful launch of its “Ignite the Joy” plan. The bakery-café chain is now set for its strongest expansion pace since 2017, driven by a new small-footprint prototype and enhanced digital and off-premise experiences.
9) Handel’s Carried Momentum into 2026 Following Landmark 80th Year
Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream is carrying strong momentum into 2026 after celebrating its 80th anniversary with record expansion and consistent same-store sales growth. The legacy brand plans to enter three new states this year – Washington, Florida, and Idaho – as it continues to leverage its efficient operating model to attract experienced multi-unit franchise partners.
10) Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken Appoints Collin Donnelly Vice President of Growth & Development
Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken has appointed Collin Donnelly as Vice President of Growth & Development, a strategic move aimed at accelerating the brand’s restaurant expansion and franchise growth. As the company celebrates its 60th anniversary, Donnelly will focus on enhancing unit economics and supporting new restaurant openings to strengthen the brand’s presence across both existing and emerging markets.
11) Hilton Irvine/Orange County Airport Unveils Trellis & Tide Kitchen & Bar, an All-Day California Coastal Gathering Place
Hilton Irvine has rebranded its on-property restaurant to Trellis & Tide Kitchen & Bar, introducing a reimagined dining experience focused on Southern California’s coastal bounty and locally sourced ingredients. Led by Executive Chef Leonel De Leon, the new all-day destination features a seasonal menu and a vibrant bar program designed to welcome both travelers and local residents in an inviting indoor-outdoor setting.
12) The Iconic Duo Returns: Wendy’s Thin Mints Frosty Is Back with All-New Frosty Fusion
Wendy’s is celebrating Girl Scout Cookie season with the nationwide return of the Thin Mints Frosty Swirl and the debut of the all-new Thin Mints Frosty Fusion. This strategic partnership also includes opening restaurant doors to local troops for cookie booths, further strengthening the brand’s community engagement and support for young entrepreneurs.
13) Twin Peaks Adds New Bar Menu Items Focused on Flavor and Value
Twin Peaks has updated its bar menu with a variety of new cocktails, fruit-forward shots, and an expanded selection of zero-proof options to better align with current consumer trends. These additions, which include the Jameson Orange Crush and Spicy White Peach Paloma, are designed to offer more inclusivity and value while complementing the brand’s signature scratch-made food and lodge atmosphere.
14) Bojangles Reels in the Return of the Bojangler Just in Time for Lent
Bojangles is bringing back the fan-favorite Bojangler Fish Sandwich for a limited time starting February 23 to coincide with the Lenten season. The Alaskan Pollock filet is available in both the original build and an upgraded Deluxe version, offering guests a seasonally relevant seafood option across the brand’s national footprint.
15) Chicken Bacon Ranch Street Chalupas Hit Taco Bell Menus Giving a Familiar Flavor a Street Taco Twist
Taco Bell has launched the Chicken Bacon Ranch Street Chalupas, reimagining a classic comfort flavor profile within its popular street-style format for a limited time. This latest menu innovation features slow-roasted chicken, crispy bacon, and avocado ranch in a toasted cheddar shell, and is accompanied by a new Chicken Bacon Ranch variation of the brand’s iconic Nacho Fries.
16) White Castle Reduces Vandalism and Loitering, Boosts Drive-Thru Safety, and Lowers Late-Night Escalations by Over 90% with Interface Virtual Perimeter Guard
White Castle has successfully implemented Interface Systems’ AI-powered Virtual Perimeter Guard, resulting in a 90% reduction in late-night security escalations at a high-risk pilot location. By combining AI detection with live voice deterrence, the solution has significantly decreased loitering and vandalism while simultaneously improving employee morale and customer safety.
17) Robeks Appoints Longtime Multi-Unit Franchisee Dave Hutchinson to Vice President of Marketing
Robeks has appointed Dave Hutchinson, a veteran multi-unit franchisee with over 20 years of experience in the system, as its new Vice President of Marketing. Hutchinson will leverage his firsthand operational insights and background in analytical consulting to oversee the brand’s national marketing strategy, menu innovation, and franchise support programs as the company continues its nationwide expansion.
18) Huddle House Turns Tax Season Into Rewards Season
Huddle House has launched a “Tax Tuesdays” promotion, allowing Huddle Rewards members to earn double points on every purchase from February 24 through Tax Day on April 15. This initiative is designed to help families stretch their tax refunds further by pairing increased loyalty rewards with the brand’s everyday value-focused menu.
19) Greenwood Brewing Announces New Downtown Chandler Location
Greenwood Brewing, an award-winning woman-owned craft brewery, has announced it will open a new indoor-outdoor taproom in Downtown Chandler later this year. Located at the park-adjacent mixed-use development “The AJ,” the expansion represents a full-circle moment for founder Megan Greenwood in the city where her brewing journey first began.
20) Shoney’s New Family Meals To-Go Brings America’s Dinner Table to Your Dinner Table
Shoney’s has introduced its new Family Meals To-Go, offering customizable breakfast and dinner options designed to accommodate groups ranging from four to twelve people. This strategic launch aims to meet the growing consumer demand for high-quality home meal replacements while bringing the brand’s signature Southern hospitality directly to the family dining table.