Steak and Ale and 19 More Restaurant Information Headliners of the Past Week

Steak and Ale, Twin Peaks, Pizza Hut, Jersey Mike’s, and Panera Bread lead RestaurantNews.com’s Top 20 stories for the week ending June 21, 2026.

1) Steak and Ale Makes Triumphant Return to South Carolina With Franchise Development in Anderson
Steak and Ale is expanding into South Carolina with a new franchise development agreement in Anderson, marking the concept’s first southern location as part of its 60th-anniversary milestone. The upcoming restaurant will be owned and operated by long-term local restaurateurs John and Dixie Benca, a husband-and-wife team who actually met while working at a Steak and Ale during college.

2) Twin Peaks Enters New Era Under Summit Acquisitions, LLC
Summit Acquisitions, LLC is steering Twin Peaks back into private ownership under the new entity Summit Twin Hospitality I, LLC, establishing complete independence from FAT Brands. This strategic transition places a veteran group of franchise operators into an advisory role to guide the casual dining chain’s future growth and operational direction.

3) Yum! Brands, Inc. Enters into Agreements to Sell Pizza Hut for $2.7 Billion
Yum! Brands has entered into definitive agreements to sell its Pizza Hut division for an aggregate of $2.7 billion following a comprehensive strategic review aimed at maximizing shareholder value. Under the terms of the transactions, private equity firm LongRange Capital will acquire the pizza chain’s operations outside of mainland China, while Yum China Holdings will take full ownership of the business within the mainland China market.

4) Jersey Mike’s Debuts as Top-Rated Quick-Service Restaurant, Ending Chick-fil-As 11-Year Reign, ACSI Data Shows
Jersey Mike’s Subs has secured the highest overall customer satisfaction score in the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index survey for the quick-service restaurant sector, outperforming major industry competitors. The brand’s focus on high-quality ingredients, fresh-sliced meats, and consistent operational execution across its nationwide footprint drove its top-rated consumer ranking.

5) Panera Upgrades Its Summer Menu With New Market Bowls, Premium Salads, Frozen Java Beverages and More
Panera Bread has refreshed its seasonal menu with the introduction of multi-grain Market Bowls and an expanded lineup of premium salads featuring house-made dressings. The brand is also upgrading its beverage selection for the warmer months by rolling out a new collection of blended Frozen Java drinks across its bakery-cafes.

6) Off The Hook Brings a Louisiana Legend to the Menu with New Best Stop Boudin Balls
Off The Hook Restaurants has expanded its menu by introducing authentic Best Stop Boudin Balls. This savory addition features pork, rice, and traditional Cajun seasonings fried into a golden-brown bite that can be ordered as an appetizer or a snack.

7) 10 Leadership Mistakes That Will Destroy Your Restaurant Crew
Effective restaurant leadership requires avoiding critical managerial pitfalls that can inadvertently demolish team morale and drive up costly turnover rates. This guide breaks down ten specific operational errors owners make, offering actionable ways to shift from a high-stress workplace toward a supportive, team-centered environment.

8) The Peach Cobbler Factory Continues Growth with 15th Location in Georgia
The Peach Cobbler Factory is expanding its footprint in Georgia through a new multi-unit franchise agreement targeting Newnan and Sharpsburg. This strategic expansion will bring the brand’s signature premium desserts, including cobblers, shakes, and cinnamon rolls, to more consumers across the region under the direction of local franchise partners.

9) Krispy Kreme Brings the Sweet Taste of Summer with All-New Seasonal Collection
Krispy Kreme launched its limited-time Summer Seasonal Collection, rolling out a variety of bright flavor options. This sweet lineup features the new Original Glazed Strawberry Cake and Lemon Bar doughnuts, returning Key Lime Pie and Cannoli Inspired options, and frozen Watermelon Infused and Mango Infused Lemonade Chillers.

10) Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. Announces Two Additional Refranchising Agreements
Red Robin has entered into two separate refranchising agreements for the sale of 86 company-owned units totaling $72.5 million. The transactions transition locations across multiple Eastern, Midwestern, and Pacific Northwest markets to experienced multi-unit operators while supporting the financial goals outlined in the brand’s “First Choice Plan.”

11) Huddle House Returns to Ohio with New Development Agreement
Huddle House is expanding its family dining concept into Jackson County through a multi-unit franchise agreement with Triple G Enterprises, LLC. The initial ground-up restaurant in Wellston is slated to open with a full-service breakfast menu featuring homestyle meals served in a community-centered atmosphere.

12) Taco Bell Takes Fajita Obsession Beyond the Sizzle With New Fajita Street Chalupas and Chicken Fajita Nacho Fries
Taco Bell has introduced a portable twist on Tex-Mex flavors with the limited-time rollout of its new fajita-inspired selections. This seasonal lineup includes the Fajita Street Chalupas, featuring a choice of steak or slow-roasted chicken in cheesy shells, alongside the heavily topped Chicken Fajita Nacho Fries.

13) Scramblers Celebrates Grand Opening of Bloomington Location, Marking Brands First Restaurant in Illinois
Scramblers has celebrated the grand opening of its newest location in Bloomington, marking the brand’s 30th restaurant overall and its first-ever entry into the state of Illinois. This family-friendly establishment serves a made-to-order menu of hearty omelets, pancakes, and breakfast skillets alongside popular mimosa and brunch cocktail selections seven days a week.

14) Juice It Up! Signs Multi-Unit Development Deal To Enter Utah
Juice It Up! has signed a six-unit development agreement to introduce its health-focused concept to Salt Lake County and Utah County, marking the brand’s first entry into the state of Utah. This strategic expansion will bring the raw juice bar and smoothie franchise’s signature nutrient-rich blends, handcrafted acai bowls, and functional snacks to a broader audience across the region.

15) HB Protein Smoothies Signs Multi-Unit Deal with Papa Murphys Largest Franchisees
HB Protein Smoothies has finalized a multi-unit franchise agreement to expand its footprint across three major markets, bringing new development territories to Boise, Phoenix, and Portland. Partnering with seasoned multi-unit operators who manage over 120 Papa Murphy’s and Crumbl Cookies locations, the brand will deliver its streamlined, health-focused menu of high-quality, protein-packed smoothies to these local communities.

16) KFC Launches Its Next Chapter Globally, Complete With New Menu Innovation, Modern Restaurant Design and Fresh Branding
KFC is embarking on a comprehensive global brand transformation that introduces a modernized restaurant design and an updated menu strategy across its international markets. This strategic update focuses on enhancing the contemporary guest experience while driving operational efficiency and brand relevance for the fried chicken concept.

17) Dennys Officially Declares The Clocks Off and the Kitchen is Open
Dennys new The Clock’s Off Menu makes a variety of breakfast, lunch, and dinner options available any time of day. The updated round-the-clock lineup introduces fresh items like the Strawberry Cheesecake Scoop Slam, Salted Caramel Cold Brew Shake, and BBQ Cookout Classic Burger alongside value-driven additions like Slammin Meal Deals under $10.

18) Blaze Pizza Appoints Lucas Bravo as Chief Financial Officer
Blaze Pizza has appointed seasoned finance executive Lucas Bravo as its new Chief Financial Officer to oversee the brand’s financial strategy and international growth initiatives. Bravo joins the fast-casual artisanal pizza chain with extensive leadership experience across major restaurant brands, where he has successfully modernized corporate finance functions and optimized supply chain compliance.

19) Summer Just Got Sweeter with the Return of McDonalds Fried Apple Pie
McDonalds is bringing back its original Fried Apple Pie to participating locations nationwide for a limited time starting Tuesday, June 23. This all-day menu item features the brand’s classic apple filling wrapped in a golden, flaky fried crust.

20) JINYA Holdings Launches Mikan bakery & more in Encino
JINYA Holdings is expanding its hospitality portfolio with the upcoming launch of Mikan bakery & more, an authentic Japanese-style bakery debuting in Encino. Inspired by the childhood memories and heritage of the brand’s founder, the concept will feature artisan pastries, scratch-made traditional breads, and natural citrus-infused beverages.

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