Legendary Restaurant Brands, Jersey Mike’s Subs, The Peach Cobbler Factory, Bobby’s Burgers by Bobby Flay, and White Castle lead RestaurantNews.com’s Top 20 stories for the week ending January 18, 2026.
1) Steak and Ale and Bennigan’s Reach Major Milestones, Positioning Legendary Restaurant Brands for Future Growth
Legendary Restaurant Brands enters 2026 with significant momentum as it celebrates the 50th anniversary of Bennigan’s and the 60th anniversary of Steak and Ale amid massive domestic and international expansion.
2) Jersey Mike’s Launches New Chapter of Growth with International Expansion into the UK and Ireland
Jersey Mike’s Subs is launching its first European expansion with a 400-store development agreement in the UK and Ireland, led by brand founder and Chairman Peter Cancro.
3) The Peach Cobbler Factory Strengthens Leadership Team with Two Key Executive Hires
The Peach Cobbler Factory has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Devon Nelson as VP of Operations and Emeka Diayi as Director of Social Media to support rapid nationwide franchise expansion.
4) Bobby’s Burgers by Bobby Flay Serves Up a Little Taste of Italy
Bobby’s Burgers by Bobby Flay has introduced the new Little Italy Burger and a Rocky Road Milkshake, featuring seasonal flavors inspired by Chef Bobby Flay’s personal travels through Italy.
5) For the Ultimate Valentine’s Day Dinner, Reserve a Table at White Castle
White Castle is celebrating the 35th anniversary of its “Love Castle” tradition by transforming participating locations into full-service fine dining destinations for Valentine’s Day 2026.
6) TGI Fridays Unveils Bold Vision to Become Global Casual Dining Leader
TGI Fridays has unveiled its ambitious “1-2-3 Strategic Vision,” a global growth roadmap aimed at reaching 1,000 units and $2 billion in annual revenue by 2030 through flexible restaurant formats and brand innovation.
7) Original ChopShop Closes a Record Sales Year with Plans To Expand its Footprint in 2026
ChopShop concluded 2025 with record annual sales and positive traffic growth, setting the stage for strategic expansion with four new locations planned for 2026.
8) Yadav Enterprises Proudly Expands Del Taco Leadership Team and Drives Brand Transformation With Seasoned Industry Executives
Del Taco has appointed a new executive leadership team under Yadav Enterprises, featuring the return of seasoned industry veterans to oversee brand transformation, marketing strategy, and supply chain excellence.
9) Weird Brothers Coffee Now Expanding – Franchises Offered in Virginia and Maryland
Weird Brothers Coffee, a veteran-owned specialty roaster, has officially launched its franchise program to bring its unique small-batch coffee experience and community-focused culture to entrepreneurs across Virginia and Maryland.
10) Bad Daddy’s Limited-Time Winter Menu Refuses to Hibernate
Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar is heating up the season with a limited-time winter menu featuring indulgent Southern-inspired burgers, high-protein power bowls, and creative zero-proof sips available through February 16.
11) KFC Reclaims Sundays with Weekly Digital Deals Designed for Comfort, Not Guilt
KFC is helping fans reclaim the end of the weekend with the nationwide launch of “Sundays by KFC,” a digital rewards program offering rotating weekly deals on comfort-first favorites like buckets and wings.
12) American Street Food Franchise Gyro Republic Signs Nine Texas Locations, Fueling National Expansion
Gyro Republic is accelerating its national expansion with three new development agreements for nine locations across Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas, bringing its signature halal street food culture to the Texas fast-casual market.
13) White Rooster Lands in Dana Point, Bringing the Soul of the California Coastal Road Trip to the Table
Chef Michael Campbell’s new Dana Point restaurant, White Rooster, opens January 16, offering a chef-driven menu of California coastal cuisine inspired by surf culture and smoke-kissed roadside flavors.
14) J. Alexander’s Celebrates First DFW Restaurant with Plano Grand Opening
J. Alexander’s is expanding its Texas footprint with the grand opening of its newest location in Plano on January 26, featuring wood-fired American cuisine and a community fundraiser for the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County.
15) Farmer Boys Kicks off 2026 With New Farm-Fresh Ways To Save, From a Refreshed Farmstand Menu to New Dine-in Deals
Save on farm-fresh favorites at Farmer Boys with the new Farmstand Fresh & Affordable Menu. Enjoy complete meal boxes starting at $9.99 and all-day breakfast deals like the $6.99 Hot Cakes Platter.
16) Chili Shack Signs First-Ever Franchise Deal for Three Restaurants in Southwest Denver
Chili Shack has officially launched its franchising program with a landmark three-unit agreement in Southwest Denver, led by local entrepreneur and longtime brand enthusiast Deanna Solano.
17) Jersey Mike’s Named the #1 Franchise on Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500 Ranking
Jersey Mike’s Subs has secured the top spot on Entrepreneur’s 2026 Franchise 500 ranking, a prestigious recognition of the brand’s rapid unit growth, financial stability, and commitment to community impact.
18) Forget Cuffing Season, SONIC Wants You to Break Up with Your Burger: Introducing the New All-American Smasher Lineup and $6 All-American Smasher Meal
Break up with boring burgers! SONIC just launched the All-American Smasher and a $6 meal deal. Enjoy hand-smashed Angus beef and classic toppings for a premium experience at a great price.
19) Incentivio Announces Integration with Oracle MICROS Simphony to Power Connected Loyalty, Payments, and Guest Experiences
Incentivio has launched a powerful new integration with Oracle MICROS Simphony, allowing restaurant operators to unify loyalty, gift cards, and AI-powered marketing across all digital and in-store channels.
20) Wendy’s Introduces New Biggie Deals Menu Starting at $4
Wendy’s is expanding its commitment to quality and choice with the launch of the Biggie Deals menu, offering customizable $4, $6, and $8 meal pairings at restaurants nationwide.
