Tagged Articles

bite-sized buzz for July 23, 2025

Fatburger beefs up its Florida footprint with 40 new locations, while Wendy’s goes global with plans for 190 new restaurants across Italy and Armenia. Lou Malnati’s teamed up with Portillo’s for the ultimate Chicago-style mashup and Torchy's Tacos partnered with internet personality Brittany Broski. Here’s a bite-sized look at the latest headlines shaking up the foodservice scene.

Jollibee Puts a Smile at the Heart of its Redesign

Filipino fried chicken concept Jollibee debuted a fresh look at five Hong Kong locations ahead of broader global expansion plans.

Jamaican Chain Lands in Brooklyn

Jamaican restaurant chain Juici Patties opened its first-ever New York City location in Brooklyn.

Meet me at Eataly…at sea?

L'antica Pizzeria da Michele Enters U.S. Market

Over the past few years, Francesco Zimone noticed a trend in Los Angeles dining. The restaurant scene, he says, had gotten overpriced and unsatisfying. After valet parking, drinks and food, it was easy to drop $200 in a night, but still feel rushed and, frankly, hungry. On the other hand, parties at friends’ houses were the best times he’d been having, with plenty of space and time to relax and mingle.

Italian Casual Dining Chain Opens First Glasgow Location

Global Italian casual dining chain Vapiano opened its first location in Glasgow, Scotland in the newly refurbished George Hotel building on the city’s “Style Mile.”

Texas Chicken Opens in Oman

Texas Chicken announced that it has opened its first restaurant in Oman.

Japanese Restaurants Make U.S. Debut at Waikiki Food Hall

Waikiki Yokocho, a Japanese-themed food alley in the center of Waikiki, Ha., which debuted in December with nine restaurants, has added five more. 

Johnny Rockets Enters Italy

Burger chain Johnny Rockets announced it has opened its first location in Italy.

California Pizza Kitchen Opens its Largest Restaurant in Australia

California Pizza Kitchen opened its first restaurant in Australia at the landmark Hillarys Boat Harbour in Perth. Operated by franchisee California Pizza Kitchen Australia, the 370-seat, 9,500-square-foot restaurant is the world’s largest CPK

Pei Wei Opens First Asia Location

Pei Wei Asian Diner opened its first Asia location in South Korea at Starfield Hanam, the country’s largest shopping mall. The chain partnered with ELX Food & Beverage, led by Chef Justin Choi, who will supervise the brand in the market.

First Quarter Foodservice Visits Up in Many Global Markets

Global foodservice markets, with the exception of Russia, saw flat or increased first quarter traffic and increased consumer spending.

First International Starbucks Roastery and Reserve Tasting Room to Open in Shanghai

Starbucks will open its first Roastery and Reserve Tasting Room next year in Shanghai, standing twice as large as the Seattle original, which opened in 2014. The coffee giant plans to open another roastery in New York City in 2018.

BLT Steak Debuts New Location in Aruba

In partnership with ESquared Hospitality, The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba opened a new BLT Steak restaurant as a second outpost in the Caribbean.

International Coffee Chain Ogawa Debuts in U.S.

Ogawa Coffee, a Kyoto, Japan-based chain, opened its first U.S. location in Boston.

Johnny Rockets Focusing on Southeast Asia

Americana burger chain Johnny Rockets announced that it is focusing its international expansion on Southeast Asia, with a specific focus on breaking ground in Thailand and Vietnam.

Starbucks Enters Panama Market

New location celebrates coffee's journey from field to cup.

Coming to America: International Brands Face Hurdles Entering the U.S.

For the owners of Giraffas, Brazil's fourth-largest quick-service chain, the decision to expand internationally was an easy one. Anticipating changes to the company's rate of growth in Brazil, the executives set their sights on expanding into the United States. An easy jump, it would seem, from their South American headquarters.

Q&A with Henry McGovern, Chairman AmRest Holdings

“If you ate in one of our KFCs, you saw how much better it is than in the U.S.,” boasts Henry McGovern, chairman of AmRest Holdings, who sat down for an interview with rd+d in the company’s Wroclaw, Poland, headquarters in March.