Ike’s Love and Sandwiches has invested in the Bangin’ Buns Nashville-style hot chicken restaurant concept. In this new chapter for Bangin’ Buns, the chain will expand into new markets, and also within Southern California. A group of friends in the San Fernando Valley launched the venture in 2018 out of their homes.
Einstein Bros Bagels rolled out The Bacon & Queso Egg Sandwich, a new breakfast sandwich. It features the bagel chain’s double-whipped Jalapeno Salsa Shmear queso and spicy green chiles, and includes smoked Applewood bacon and seasoned cage-free eggs cooked, all served on customers’ bagel of choice.
Wingstop added bone-in thighs and boneless, breaded Thigh Bites to the menu, borrowed from its virtual brand, Thighstop. The chicken wing-focused QSR chain will offer the thigh menu items tossed in one of 11 signature sauces, or sans dressing.
Sweet Paris Creperie & Cafe will expand in Texas and enter Miami, Fla. with new development agreements. It will enter the Dallas market with three new cafes after signing a new deal with Ludovic (Ludo) Le Gall and Yi Wang, existing franchise partners at Baybrook Mall in Houston. Sweet Paris’ menu features a selection of cafe items, including crêpes, waffles, salads, paninis, soups, milkshakes, mimosas, and hot espresso & Nutella beverages.
Torchy’s Tacos has returned The Tailgater as the Taco of the Month for September and a special offer on New Belgium Voodoo Ranger IPAs, well-timed for start of the 2021 football season.
C3 (Creating Culinary Communities) will open Citizens MiamiCentral food hall in a lifestyle center home to Brightline’s flagship light rail station in South Florida. In a new partnership between C3 and Brightline, a light rail operator, a 16,000 square-foot culinary center will open this fall at MiamiCentral station featuring C3’s brands, including Umami Burger, Krispy Rice, Sam’s Crispy Chicken, Cicci di Carne, and new brands including Sa’Moto by Chef Morimoto, EllaMia and Cindy Lou’s Cookies.
Curry Up Now continues to expand its franchise venture as it signs two new leases at University of California San Diego (UCSD) and Stanford University’s Tressider. The Indian fast casual’s openings at these campuses represent its first school locations, and will add to the 14 brick-and-mortar locations, three food trucks and digital kitchen operations the restaurant chain operates across the United States.
Wingstop named Michael Skipworth president and chief operating officer, replacing Mahesh Sadarangani, who recently moved on to work for a private-equity backed company. In addition, the company promoted Alex Kaleida to the position of chief financial officer, assuming Skipworth’s previous role.
MOD Pizza launched a new plant-based Italian Sausage in partnership with Plantly, and a new Willow pizza. The new pea protein topping, featured on Willow, will roll out to MOD locations systemwide Tuesday, August 31, 2021. Customers will be able to order plant-based Italian Sausage as a substitute topping or enjoy it on the featured pizza.
Coffeehouse chain Caribou Coffee released its fall line of treats, including Nitro Pumpkin Latte or the Nitro Pumpkin White Mocha, as well as Caribou’s Pumpkin Crafted Press, Apple Blast, and sweet Maple Waffle Breakfast Sandwich. The limited-time menu became available today, August, 26, 2021.
