National Franchise Sales, Carl’s Jr., Billy’s Downtown Diner, Nick the Greek, Paris Baguette, and Friendly’s lead RestaurantNews.com’s Top 20 stories for the week ending May 24, 2026.
1) National Franchise Sales Engaged to Sell Approx. 50 Carl’s Jr. Restaurants Through Chapter 11 Process
National Franchise Sales has been appointed to manage the marketing and sale of approximately 50 Carl’s Jr. restaurant locations across California as part of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding. This asset recovery process aims to identify qualified buyers and maximize stakeholder value from the portfolio, which is primarily concentrated throughout Southern California markets.
2) Billy’s Downtown Diner Signs 10-Store Development Agreement in the Midwest
Billy’s Downtown Diner has accelerated its growth strategy by signing a 10-store regional development agreement to expand its scratch-made breakfast, brunch, and lunch concept into the Midwest. Under the direction of experienced multi-unit operators Paul and Kelly Snider, this expansion targets key territories across Indiana and Kentucky, with the first flagship location projected to debut this fall and more.
3) Nick the Greek Proudly Reaches 100 Restaurants Open Systemwide
Nick the Greek has achieved a major milestone by expanding its brand footprint to 100 open locations with a new restaurant opening in San Jose, California. This rapid expansion solidifies the concept’s position as a dominant force in the fast-casual Greek street food sector as it continues targeting high-growth markets nationwide and more.
4) First Kentucky Paris Baguette to Open in Louisville With Focus on Community and Culinary Mentorship
Paris Baguette has expanded its North American footprint by launching its very first Kentucky location in the city of Louisville. Led by local franchisees, this French-inspired bakery café focuses on serving as a warm neighborhood cultural hub while mentoring next-generation culinary talent and more.
5) Friendly’s Serves Up a Star-Spangled Summer With Lobster Favorites, Dirty Sodas and Sweet Deals
Friendly’s has introduced a refreshing lineup of seasonal menu additions, highlighting the return of fresh lobster rolls alongside a trendy selection of customizable dirty sodas. This limited-time promotion pairs summer comfort food staples with innovative beverage choices and sweet discount deals to offer guests exceptional value and flavor all season long and more.
6) Dickey’s Barbecue Pit Announces Restaurant Specials and Hours Ahead of Memorial Day Weekend
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit celebrated the holiday weekend by offering limited-time promotional discounts on its slow-smoked meats and signature family packs via online and mobile app orders. This seasonal campaign also highlighted a new collectible tribute cup that directly supported first responders nationwide through corporate foundation proceeds and more.
7) KFC Brings Back Popular Fried Pickles and Introduces New 5 for $5 Tenders Deal
KFC has launched a value-driven meal promotion featuring its premium hand-breaded chicken tenders paired with the highly anticipated return of crispy fried pickles. This limited-time offering gives budget-conscious diners a flavorful option complete with secret recipe fries and signature dipping sauces and more.
8) Ono Hawaiian BBQ Opens New Location in Murrieta, CA with Grand Opening Luau
Ono Hawaiian BBQ expanded its presence in Southern California by opening a new restaurant location in the city of Murrieta. This new spot serves up the brand’s signature, freshly prepared Hawaiian plate lunches and island-inspired specialties to the local community in a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere and more.
9) Wendy’s Appoints Robert D. “Bob” Wright as President and Chief Executive Officer
Wendy’s has appointed industry veteran Bob Wright to step into the role of President and Chief Executive Officer while also joining the board of directors. Wright brings deep restaurant operations expertise to the brand as he takes over leadership responsibilities from outgoing president and CEO Todd Penegor to drive global strategic growth and more.
10) Twin Peaks Launches ‘Go for Goal Giveaway’ Ahead of Summer’s World Soccer Tournament
Twin Peaks is gearing up for this summer’s international soccer tournament by launching its “Go for Goal Giveaway,” a national sweepstakes offering fans a chance to win exclusive soccer-themed experiences. Alongside the sweepstakes, participating corporate lodges are introducing a specialized menu of new match-day shareable dishes and themed beverage promotions to capture the tournament’s high-energy viewing crowd and more.
11) Soulman’s Bar-B-Que Celebrates the Legacy of Mary Alice “Memer” Hallett with Free Pie Giveaway on May 20 at all 21 Locations
Soulman’s Bar-B-Que honored the culinary legacy of its late family matriarch, Mary Alice “Memer” Hallett, by hosting its annual buttermilk pie giveaway across all 21 restaurant locations. The special tribute campaign rewarded the first 101 dine-in guests at each store with a complimentary slice of her signature family recipe dessert alongside their meal and more.
12) Quench’s 2026 Trend Report Reveals The Forces Shaping The Future Of The Restaurant Industry
Food and beverage marketing agency quench has released its comprehensive 2026 restaurant industry trends report, identifying critical shifts in consumer behaviors that will shape upcoming dining dynamics. The strategic playbook explores emerging dining patterns, evolving consumer mindsets, and actionable hospitality industry insights designed to help restaurant operators optimize their menus and drive business growth and more.
13) Miami Beach Favorite Redhead Burger Fires Up the Grill in Las Vegas To Celebrate Grand Opening May 28
Redhead Burger has brought its gourmet dining concept to the Las Vegas market with a highly anticipated new restaurant opening. The destination venue offers guests an elevated menu featuring signature smash burgers, handcrafted sides, and premium milkshakes designed to stand out in the city’s competitive culinary scene and more.
14) East Coast Wings + Grill Names Top 3 Fan Flavor Showdown Finalists as Voting Opens and Summer Escape Menu Launches
East Coast Wings + Grill has unveiled the top creative finalists for its highly anticipated Fan Flavor Showdown, moving the culinary competition into its public voting phase. Passionate brand enthusiasts can now cast their votes online to help crown the ultimate champion, whose winning recipe will earn a permanent spot on the brand’s national menu and more.
15) Snooze Eatery Brings Fifth Austin Location to Arbor Trails
Snooze has expanded its presence in the Texas market by opening an innovative new breakfast and brunch destination in Austin’s vibrant Arbor Trails area. The custom-designed restaurant space pairs a colorful, retro-inspired dining atmosphere with the brand’s signature menu of creative pancakes, chef-driven benedicts, and handcrafted morning cocktails and more.
16) Wings and Rings Dives into Summer with New Loaded Mac Bowls and Dragon Fruit Sips
Wings and Rings has introduced an exciting lineup of limited-time menu options featuring customizable, flavor-packed loaded mac and cheese bowls paired with refreshing dragon fruit beverages. This vibrant seasonal promotion is designed to offer guests comforting, craveable dining choices and innovative drink pairings that capture the perfect taste of summer and more.
17) Taco Bell’s Shredded Beef Dipping Taco Returns, Ready To Deliver the Ultimate Saucy Experience
Taco Bell has brought back its highly requested Shredded Beef Dipping Taco, featuring slow-simmered shredded beef, a melted cheese blend, and a crunchy red corn tortilla shell. The fan-favorite item returns alongside a duo of flavorful savory dipping sauces, offering taco lovers a premium, interactive dining experience designed for maximum flavor and more.
18) Your Requests Have Been Answered! Krispy Kreme Returns Fan-Favorite Original Glazed Lemon Filled Doughnut
Krispy Kreme has updated its menu with a refreshing twist by introducing a brand-new lemon-filled version of its signature glazed doughnut. This limited-time sweet treat pairs a bright, tangy citrus filling with the brand’s classic melt-in-your-mouth original glaze to deliver the ultimate bite of summer flavor and more.
19) Ono Hawaiian BBQ Opens New Location in Clovis, CA
Ono Hawaiian BBQ has expanded its footprint in California’s Central Valley with a brand-new restaurant opening in Clovis. This vibrant new destination brings the brand’s signature island hospitality to the community, serving up fresh, made-to-order Hawaiian plate lunches, plate lunch favorites, and authentic island-inspired flavors and more.
20) Chicago’s Iconic Pizzerias Unite For The Inaugural Slice of Chicago Race
The Slice of Chicago Pizza Run has returned to bring fitness enthusiasts and food lovers together for a unique athletic event celebrating the city’s iconic pizzerias. Participants can look forward to a scenic course that features delicious tasting stops along the route, offering a perfect blend of community spirit, local flavor, and active fun and more.
The post Carl’s Jr. and 19 More Restaurant News Headliners of the Past Week first appeared on RestaurantNews.com.
