Nation's Restaurant News

Fast Casual Franchising News The fast-casual chicken chain has signed a five-unit agreement with Areas USA to expand in Florida Turnpike service plazas. Alicia Kelso,Executive Editor,Nation's Restaurant News October 9, 2026 2 Min Read Zaxbys is expanding in service plazas in Florida Photo courtesy of Zaxbys Zaxbys has signed a five-unit agreement with major airport and travel-hospitality operator Areas USA to open restaurants in Florida Turnpike service plazas.

Quick Service Marketing & Branding News LC Athletics will be worn by NFL players George Kittle, Trent McDuffie, and Creed Humphrey before their upcoming games.

Joe Guszkowski,Senior editor,Restaurant Business October 9, 2026 2 Min Read Victoria's Barrel-Cut Filet Mignon is part of Outback's "Best Steaks Ever" menu. Photo courtesy of Outback Steakhouse Outback Steakhouse says its steaks are now better than ever. The steakhouse chain on Thursday launched “Best Steaks Ever,” a selection of steaks that Outback says are juicier and more flavorful than before.

Senior Food & Beverage Editor Bret Thorn is senior food & beverage editor of Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. Hi is responsible for spotting and reporting on F&B trends across the country for both publications. He is the co-host of a podcast, Menu Talk with Pat and Bret, which features interviews with chefs, food & beverage authorities, and other experts in foodservice operations.

Quick Service Fast Casual Mergers & Acquisitions Get all the headlines in today’s Restaurant Daily podcast. Lisa Jennings,Leigh Anne Zinsmeister October 9, 2026 Could Starbucks buy Chipotle? It could happen. The coffee shop giant has reportedly talked with advisors on a potential purchase of the fast-casual burrito chain, according to a published report in Financial Times. That deal would potentially be the biggest in restaurant industry history. Chipotle’s market value is $39 billion.

Senior Food & Beverage Editor Bret Thorn is senior food & beverage editor of Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. Hi is responsible for spotting and reporting on F&B trends across the country for both publications. He is the co-host of a podcast, Menu Talk with Pat and Bret, which features interviews with chefs, food & beverage authorities, and other experts in foodservice operations.

Sweet Tomatoes — or actually Souplantation — is coming back to California. The buffet chain that was born in California as Souplantation once had hundreds of locations across the country, though outside California it was known as Sweet Tomatoes. Then COVID killed the buffet concept, and what was then 97 locations shuttered in 2020. But after the brand’s intellectual property was acquired out of bankruptcy, Sweet Tomatoes was born again, first in Tucson in 2024, with a second unit in Florida.

Quick Service Franchising Marketing & Branding News Scheduled to roll out there next year, the new Blueprint format includes an After Dark shift at 6 p.m., with a later-night vibe and menu.

Executives News In a formal complaint filed in August, he claims the company denied a salary increase because of his race and national origin.

Technology Food Trends Beverage Trends News Customers in cities around the world can now search for a restaurant based on direction requests, ratings, and reviews. Patricia Cobe,Senior Editor, Restaurant Business October 8, 2026 2 Min Read Google Maps releases its first fan-generated dining guide.Phot courtesy of Google Maps Google Maps announced the launch on Thursday of its first Fan-Favorite Dining Lists built on real-world reviews, ratings, and aggregated direction requests.