Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, Del Taco, and Friendly’s lead RestaurantMagazine.com’s Top Ten stories for the week ending July 13, 2025.
1) Coming Soon: Dickey’s Barbecue Pit Returns to Kapolei, HI Under New Management
Big flavor is making a comeback in West Oahu. Dickey’s Barbecue Pit is coming soon to Kapolei, Hawaii, under dynamic new management, bringing back its beloved Legit. Texas. Barbecue. to the local community.
2) Del Taco Expands to North Carolina with First-Ever Location Now Open in Durham
This location marks Del Taco’s first in North Carolina, adding to the brand’s systemwide growth and underscoring its commitment to bringing craveable favorites – like burgers, tacos, burritos, quesadillas and freshly made guacamole – to new fans across the country.
3) Free Ice Cream for All! Friendly’s Turns 90 with a Scoop-Worthy Birthday Weekend Bash
Free ice cream? Yes, please. Friendly’s America’s iconic ice cream and diner-style destination – is turning 90 and celebrating the only way it knows how: with sweet surprises, unbeatable value and a weekend-long birthday bash.
4) I Scream Gelato Celebrates Arizona Expansion – 5 New Stores Coming Soon
With eyes on key markets like Houston and Georgia, I Scream Gelato is working to secure three more locations in each of those areas, with plans to add 20 new stores by the close of 2025.
5) A Love Story Continues – Franchise Matchmaker and Restaurant Veteran Say ‘Yes’ to Bumpers Drive-In
Kat and Darren combined their strengths in franchise consulting and restaurant operations to become franchisees of Bumpers Drive-In – a Southern QSR brand they were both drawn to for its strong values, appealing menu, and impressive performance.
6) Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ Wins People’s Choice Award at 1st Annual Hogs N’ Dogs Grilling Competition
Crave Savannah competed against 15 other companies and proudly secured 1st Place People’s Choice for their standout entry, the Chicago-ish Dog, delighting judges and attendees alike.
7) Ono Hawaiian BBQ Opens Goodyear Store – Further Expanding Their Arizona Presence
This new location adds to Ono Hawaiian BBQ’s network of over 115 restaurants across California and Arizona. Known for its fresh, made-to-order plate meals and Hawaiian-inspired cuisine, Ono Hawaiian BBQ takes pride in marinating its proteins in-house and grilling to order.
8) Panda Express Drops Highly-Requested Hot Orange Chicken, Igniting a ‘Swicy’ Summer Heat Wave and Immersive Fan Experience in NYC
The crispy chicken wok-tossed in an irresistible sweet and semi-spicy orange sauce accounts for one third of all entrées sold at Panda with the brand serving up 137 million pounds of the dish last year alone.
9) Pure Green Accelerates National Expansion, Cementing Position as One of the Fastest-Growing Juice Bar Franchises in the U.S.
Pure Green, the functional wellness brand on a mission to build healthier communities through clean, nutrient-dense smoothies, açaí bowls, cold-pressed juices and wellness shots, is rapidly expanding its footprint and closing in on a major milestone: 100 open locations by early 2026.
10) R&R Brands Launches to Elevate Hospitality and Entertainment Through Hands-On Leadership
R&R Brands has officially launched – a parent company and embedded operating partner powering a portfolio of nearly 50 restaurant and entertainment locations across seven states.