Golden Corral, Home Frite, and Toastique lead RestaurantMagazine.com’s Top Ten stories for the week ending April 6, 2025.
1) Golden Corral Opens Manchester Location with Grand Celebration
“Golden Corral has long been a beloved brand, known for its commitment to quality, variety, and outstanding customer service,” said franchisee Ray Blanchette. “We have great admiration for the brand’s leadership, whose visionary approach has made it a leader in the industry.”
2) Home Frite Opens in Pomona, NY To Record-Breaking Crowds
Home Frite’s signature thick-cut fries, gourmet burger offerings, and indulgent dipping sauces continue to captivate food lovers, and the brand’s expansion is set to redefine the fast-casual industry.
3) Toastique To Open First El Paso, TX Location in Spring 2025
Toastique has announced its latest expansion to El Paso, Texas with its first location opening in spring 2025 serving gourmet toast creations, smoothie bowls, nutrient-rich cold-pressed juices, smoothies, espresso, coffee, and grab-and-go options.
4) Old Chicago Pizza + Taproom Turns Up the Flavor with All-new OC Cantina Menu and Cinco Beer Tour
Old Chicago Pizza + Taproom is coming in hot with its sizzling new OC Cantina Menu and Cinco Beer Tour, featuring a bold, flavor-packed lineup inspired by southwest favorites, perfect for celebrating the season with great food and ice-cold cerveza.
5) Is This the Reel Life or is This Some Sashimi? Rock N Roll Sushi Opens the Show in Port St. Lucie
Owned by brothers Nick and Vinny Gannascoli, this marks their second Rock N Roll Sushi location and adds to the growing fanbase as the 15th Florida location and 74th systemwide.
6) 77 Pizza Hut Restaurants Transition to New Ownership Following Auction Led by National Franchise Sales
This marks the completion of a competitive auction process, recovering just under $12 million for the bankruptcy estate.
7) Mediterranean Fusion Hotspot MF Gyros and Burgers Announces Nationwide Franchise Expansion
The brand expertly combines traditional fast-food favorites, such as fries, handcrafted burgers, and onion rings, with housemade gyros and falafels to offer a menu that is both exciting and satisfying for everyone from traditional gyro lovers to burger enthusiasts.
8) Melting Pot Celebrates 50 Years of Fondue Magic With a Year of Special Menus, New Offerings and Unforgettable Moments
As the iconic fondue franchise embarks on its 50th anniversary, Melting Pot reflects on five decades of providing the perfect night out and announces exciting limited-time celebrations.
9) Peter Boylan to Retire from Ballard Brands, David Mesa Named President of Franchise Division featuring PJ’s Coffee and WOW American Eats
After nearly two decades of leadership within the company, Ballard Brands President and CEO Peter J. Boylan III will retire, effective April 2025.
10) FB Society Names Christine Magrann President and COO
FB Society, the award-winning hospitality brand known for pushing the boundaries of immersive dining and experiential hospitality, has appointed Christine Magrann as President and Chief Operating Officer of Whiskey Cake Kitchen & Bar and Mexican Sugar.
