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Krispy Kreme, Michelle Pak, Chick-fil-A, Blue Mint Thai, and Taco John’s lead RestaurantNews.com’s Top 20 stories for the week ending August 16, 2026.
1) I Choose You! Krispy Kreme Launches All-New Pokémon Doughnut Collection Featuring Five Beloved Pokémon
Krispy Kreme has partnered with Pokémon to introduce a limited-edition doughnut collection featuring custom-designed treats inspired by fan-favorite characters. Available at participating shop counters and drive-thrus, the colorful assortment pairs signature glaze and specialty fillings with iconic designs, offering fans a sweet way to celebrate the beloved franchise.
2) Why Beautiful Food Isn’t Enough Anymore: Michelle Pak on the New Rules of Restaurant Advertising
Commercial director Michelle Pak shares insights on how restaurant brands must look beyond beautiful food photography to stand out through strong visual identity and brand personality. Drawing from campaigns for major chains like Jimmy John’s, Arby’s, and Taco Bell, Pak highlights the importance of distinct humor, creative camera direction, and authentic engagement across traditional and social platforms.
3) All-Day Cravings, Answered: Chick-fil-A Debuts New Chicken & Waffles Sandwiches
Chick-fil-A is introducing a limited-time fall lineup featuring sweet-and-savory Chicken & Waffles Sandwiches alongside two new campfire-inspired beverages. Guests can order the custom waffle sandwiches in breakfast or full-size entree options throughout the day, paired with either a S’mores Milkshake or S’mores Frosted Coffee.
4) Blue Mint Thai Named #1 Asian Restaurant in South DFW for Unprecedented Fifth Consecutive Year, Adds #1 Lunch Spot Honor Amid Major Franchise Expansion
Blue Mint Thai & Asian Cuisine has been voted the top Asian restaurant in South DFW for the fifth consecutive year while also earning the title of top lunch spot in the region. The veteran-led brand is leveraging this local recognition to fuel a nationwide franchise expansion, anchored by a new flagship location currently under construction in Arlington.
5) A Fan’s Viral Video Inspires Taco John’s New Limited-Time Burrito Collaboration Supporting the Military Community
Taco John’s has partnered with military veteran content creator Nic Flood to introduce the limited-time Fat Grilled Burrito, a fan-inspired creation loaded with grilled chicken, sirloin steak, and signature Potato Olés. A portion of proceeds from the collaboration will be donated to a national charity supporting military members, veterans, first responders, and their families.
6) Twin Peaks Welcomes Fantasy Football Leagues Back for Draft Parties
Twin Peaks is inviting fantasy football leagues to host their draft parties at its lodges, offering exclusive perks for participants and commissioners. Booked leagues will receive bounce-back savings cards, draft kits with player stickers, and a custom championship chain to award their seasonal winner.
7) Mountain Mike’s Pizza Accelerates Momentum Nationally Through First Half of 2026
Mountain Mike’s Pizza maintained strong national momentum through the first half of the year, opening nine new locations across six states and entering three new markets. The family-style pizza chain also surpassed one million loyalty members while driving sales through successful product launches like the Garlic Parm Stuft Crust and seasonal promotions.
8) August Restaurant Deals for College Move-in Season, Waffle Day, Football Days, and More!
Dining spots nationwide are serving up special promotions and limited-time deals to mark late-summer occasions like campus move-in season, Waffle Day, and the return of football season. Guests can take advantage of various discounts, freebies, and food specials across participating restaurant chains as the fall season kicks off.
9) Ascent Hospitality Management Hosts First All Brands Summit
Ascent Hospitality Management recently hosted its inaugural Ascent Together conference, uniting over 500 franchisees, corporate team members, and vendor partners from Perkins Restaurant & Bakery and Huddle House. The multi-brand event celebrated franchise performance and community involvement while outlining strategic growth initiatives to drive long-term momentum across both family dining concepts.
10) Nothing Bundt Cakes Welcomes Fall with the Return of Fan-Favorite Biscoff Cookie Butter Cake and Two New Pop-Up Flavors
Nothing Bundt Cakes has brought back its fan-favorite Biscoff Cookie Butter cake alongside two brand-new Pop-Up Bundtlet creations: Galactic Brownie Cake and Apple Pie Cake. The fall lineup features a fudgy chocolate option topped with brownie batter glaze and rainbow sprinkles, as well as a warmly spiced apple cake finished with brown sugar streusel.
11) Chipotle IQ Returns With More Than $1 Million in Free Chipotle, Plus New Daily Streaks, Silver Tickets and a Collectible Card Game
Chipotle has brought back its popular digital trivia game, Chipotle IQ, offering fans the chance to win over $1 million in free food rewards. Participants who score a perfect ten on the quiz can unlock buy-one-get-one offers, with additional perks including daily streak rewards, silver tickets, and a collectible card game.
12) Restaurant Marketing Ideas for September
September offers operators a diverse array of national food holidays, seasonal beverage features, and community give-back opportunities to boost guest engagement as summer winds down. Operators can leverage monthly observances like Better Breakfast Month, National Cheeseburger Day, and Hunger Action Month to create targeted promotions that drive traffic all month long.
13) Taco Bell and Tajín Team up With Peso Pluma for a New Menu Lineup Worth Obsessing Over
Taco Bell has partnered with Tajín and global music artist Peso Pluma to introduce a new limited-time menu infused with signature chile lime seasoning nationwide. The lineup features the Tajín Taco, Tajín Cheesy Gordita Crunch, and Tajín Pineapple Strawberry Freeze, alongside an exclusive collectible bag charm set for rewards members.
14) Portillo’s and Dr Pepper “Shake” Things Up, Launching Limited-Time Shake and Cake Shake
Portillo’s has teamed up with Dr Pepper to introduce two limited-time beverage treats: a Dr Pepper Shake and a Dr Pepper Chocolate Cake Shake. The strategic collaboration blends the iconic soda’s 23 signature flavors with Portillo’s vanilla ice cream and famous homemade chocolate cake to deliver a unique dessert experience for fans.
15) Mo’ Bettahs Grows Texas Presence with New Argyle Restaurant Opening
Mo’ Bettahs Hawaiian Style Food is expanding its footprint in North Texas with a new fast-casual location in Argyle’s Harvest Town Center. Marking the brand’s 14th Texas restaurant, the new spot brings authentic Oahu-inspired plate lunches, including grilled teriyaki chicken and kalua pig, to local diners.
16) We Sell Restaurants Expands into Gold Coast, Florida and Actively Recruiting More Franchise Partners
We Sell Restaurants has expanded its specialized business brokerage network into Florida’s Gold Coast market under the operation of Certified Public Accountant and restaurant veteran Leonard Mello. The brand is actively seeking additional franchise partners nationwide to meet growing demand for expert guidance in buying, selling, and leasing hospitality locations.
17) Irv’s Burgers Toasts to Eight Decades of Roadside Tradition With 80-Cent Burgers on Aug. 26
Irv’s Burgers is celebrating 80 years of roadside tradition by offering its signature Roadside Burger for just 80 cents, alongside store giveaways and free meals for guests aged 80 and older. To mark the milestone, the iconic concept is also donating 80 cents from every combo meal sold to local hunger-relief organizations in Southern California and Southern Nevada.
18) Teriyaki Madness Hires Jake Lowell to Supercharge the Real Estate Support That Already Sets It Apart From Every Other Franchisor
Teriyaki Madness has appointed Jake Lowell as Franchise Development Real Estate Manager to enhance its Real Estate Fast Track program. In this newly created role, Lowell will prequalify sites for existing and prospective operators, accelerating lease signatures and helping streamline the development timeline across target markets.
19) Champion Expands National Footprint with New Miami Office
Champion, led by founder Ladd Biro and agency principal Eric Spiritas, has expanded its national footprint with a new office in downtown Miami to better serve restaurant, franchise, and consumer brands across South Florida. This strategic location enhances local support and strengthens relationships with both existing and prospective hospitality clients throughout the region.
20) Breaking News! PleatPak Now on US Foods Direct!
PleatPak’s innovative foodservice packaging is now available to restaurant operators nationwide through the US Foods Direct online platform. Featuring a unique pleated design, the eco-friendly wrapper enhances heat retention, portability, and the overall guest dining experience for burgers and sandwiches.
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