Soulman’s Bar-B-Que, Smokey Mo’s BBQ, and Layne’s Chicken Fingers lead RestaurantMagazine.com’s Top Ten stories for the week ending July 20, 2025.
1) Soulman’s Bar-B-Que Launches Limited-Time “Pork Wings” Beginning July 14
“Soulman’s: Where Pork Gets Its Wings” invites BBQ lovers to take their taste buds on a flight with tender, meaty pork, slow-smoked to perfection and smothered in the restaurant’s signature BBQ sauce.
2) Smokey Mo’s BBQ Celebrates 25 Years with Deals at All Locations and a Celebration at Cypress Creek
Smokey Mo’s BBQ, the beloved Texas barbecue chain that serves in-house smoked barbecue and offers fast, friendly, modern service, is celebrating its 25th anniversary with its communities. On Friday, July 25, the barbecue restaurant is hosting a day full of tasty deals at all locations, plus honoring its Central Texas roots at its Cypress Creek location.
3) Layne’s Chicken Fingers Crosses Mid-Year Mark With 11 New Restaurants Opened, Including the First Time the Brand has Seen Two Openings on the Same Day on July 14
Texas “Born and Breaded” Layne’s Chicken Fingers is entering the second half of the year having made remarkable progress in the first two quarters. At the mid-year point, the brand reached the 30-restaurant mark, growing its footprint by over 50% in just six months. The team also inked five new franchise deals, representing a cumulative 54 restaurants to be developed in the coming years.
4) Mountain Mike’s Pizza Expands Texas Footprint in Collin County With New McKinney Restaurant
Mountain Mike’s Pizza, a leading family-style pizza chain for over 45 years, known for its legendary crispy, curly pepperonis, massive 20-inch Mountain-sized pizzas and dough made fresh daily, is continuing its growth across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex with the opening of a new location in McKinney.
5) Juice It Up! Continues 30-Year Anniversary Celebration With Exceptional Sales and Midyear Brand Momentum
Leading smoothie, superfruit bowl and raw juice chain sees 14% sales growth in the first six months of 2025, new development activities and top-performing new products.
6) The Pickle Craze Just Got Crazier with Del Taco’s New Pickle Taco
In a bold move only Del Taco could pull off, the brand is celebrating National Pickle Month with a one-of-a-kind twist: introducing the Fried Pickle Taco, available for a limited time exclusively in their surrounding Los Angeles county locations from July 15, while supplies last.
7) Oola Bowls Debuts First Florida Location in Carrollwood, FL on July 19 with Grand Opening Celebration
Oola Bowls, the vibrant better-for-you brand known for its signature, high-pulp açaí bowls and commitment to “what happiness tastes like,” is excited to open its first-ever Florida location in Carrollwood.
8) Qu Rolls Out Sales-Driven Innovations to Help QSR and Fast-Casual Restaurants Navigate Market Headwinds
Qu, the leader in unified commerce for fast-casual and quick-service (QSR) brands, has introduced new platform innovations to help operators boost average check sizes, improve guest experiences, and make faster, more informed decisions amid today’s challenging economic landscape for enterprise restaurants.
9) Escape to the French Riviera at LouLou Santa Monica
Ranked among the 14 best Brunch Buffets across the US., LouLou is your go-to destination for unforgettable gatherings, from romantic brunch dates to lively celebrations with friends or group dining (9 guests and more). Whether you’re sipping rosé in the sun or dancing under the stars, LouLou delivers a timeless escape inspired by the charms of the French Riviera.
10) Hawaiian Bros Supports Authentic Hawaiian Culture and Education With 2025 Keiki Hula Fundraiser
Hawaiian Bros is honored to help sustain the rich cultural tradition of hula by supporting the Kalihi-Palama Culture & Arts Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the art of hula, the Hawaiian language and ancient traditions.