FSR

09/15/2025

We’re thrilled to share that Mike Whatley, our Vice President of State Affairs and Grassroots, has been named to FSR's 2025 40 Under 40 list! 🎉

Mike’s tireless work advancing policies that support restaurant growth, autonomy, and recovery has made a lasting impact on our industry. His recognition is well-deserved, and we couldn’t be prouder!

📖 Read more about Mike and the other rising stars: https://bit.ly/4ma3U6z

09/15/2025

CRÚ Food & Wine Bar has new ownership—and big ambitions. 🍷 The 10-unit chain plans to more than double in size within 3 years, with refreshed design, chef-driven menus, and an expanded wine program fueling the next chapter.

Locations:
CRÚ Food & Wine Bar - West Village
CRÚ Food & Wine Bar - Houston
CRÚ Food & Wine Bar - Plano
CRÚ Food & Wine Bar - The Summit
CRÚ Food & Wine Bar - 2nd St
CRU Food & Wine Bar - Avalon
CRÚ Food & Wine Bar - Battery ATL
CRÚ Food & Wine Bar - Clearfork
CRÚ Food & Wine Bar - Allen
CRÚ Food & Wine Bar - Denver

CRÚ Food & Wine Bar, a 10-unit Dallas-based chain, was recently acquired by an investment group. Under new majority ownership--which finalized on July 30--all upcoming and existing locations will receive a facelift, described as a “polished, modernized ...

09/12/2025

TGI Fridays is charting a bold comeback under new ownership, with plans to grow to 1,000 global restaurants. Led by international president Phil Broad, the brand is doubling down on its DNA of flair, freedom, and celebration while modernizing with new formats, a Dubai-based support hub, and fresh franchise partnerships. 🌍🍹

Read how Fridays is rebuilding for the future:

TGI Fridays, under new ownership, wants 1,000 locations globally, and it's already putting the pieces together to support that objective. The biggest piece is Phil Broad, appointed as president of international in the spring. He previously worked with t...

09/11/2025

📉 Once hailed as a rising player in eatertainment, Pinstripes has filed for bankruptcy—down to just eight operating locations after once reaching 18.

Pinstripes, a once-rising eatertainment concept, declared bankruptcy, citing “economic deterioration” that sank revenue and left it with no other options for restructuring, according to court documents. Pinstripes and its largest creditor, Silverview, a...

09/10/2025

From Hell's Kitchen to Ida Claire in San Antonio, Chef Mary Lou Davis is proving you can lead with both flavor and personality. 🌟 Known as the “geek chef” who cosplays at anime conventions, Davis is reshaping Ida Claire’s menu with globally inspired Southern dishes while building a kitchen culture rooted in empathy, fun, and family.
Read how she’s bringing her magic back home to Texas:

Leading the pack of this year's class of Rising Stars 40 Under 40, Mary Lou Davis--the new 35-year-old executive chef at Ida Claire--is a stellar example of what it means to infuse flavor, creativity, and personality into an emerging NextGen brand. One ...

09/10/2025

The NextGen Restaurant Summit 2025 was unforgettable—and we’re already counting down to next year. 📅

Save the date! September 8–10, 2026, The Hyatt Regency Atlanta.

09/09/2025

🧇 Big news for late-night diners: Waffle House is officially delivering nationwide through a new partnership with DoorDash.

Customers nationwide can now get Waffle House delivered by DoorDash. The U.S.'s largest casual-dining chain signed with the country's biggest third-party aggregator to offer late-night delivery (9 p.m. to 8 a.m.). Orders will come through Waffle House's...

09/08/2025

💸 Bigger isn’t always better. Oversized portions don’t just feed guests—they feed the trash can, too. Restaurant coach David Scott Peters explains how one operator saved $26,000 a year simply by controlling fry portions. His message is clear: Portion control isn’t being cheap—it’s being smart. Guests crave consistency, not excess. 🍟

Read more:

You're not going to get your food cost under control if you let your restaurant guests throw your money away in the trash. And trust me, they are. Every time plates come back with half the food untouched, you're not feeding your guests, you're feeding t...

09/05/2025

Until next year! Thank you to our attendees, speakers, and sponsors for making the NextGen Restaurant Summit a success!

We appreciate your support and can’t wait to see you next year at The Hyatt Regency Atlanta, from September 8-10! Save the date!

09/02/2025

Lights, Camera, WELCOME to the NextGen Restaurant Summit!✨

09/02/2025

Packed house in Atlanta! 🍑

Chick-fil-A CEO Andrew Cathy and Coca-Cola’s Dagmar Boggs kicked off the NextGen Restaurant Summit with an inspiring welcome, sharing stories of Atlanta’s restaurant legacy, the iconic partnership between their brands, and a powerful call to action for the industry to lead with heart and fight hunger together.

Now off to the Lights, Camera, Welcome Reception!

09/02/2025

Over the past 20 years, Drew Shader has transformed Atomic Cowboy into a one-stop shop for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late night, with Denver Biscuit Company’s Southern-style sandwiches, Fat Sully's Pizza, and a wide selection of Colorado craft beer all sharing the same space.

The company now spans seven Colorado locations, one in Kansas, and a new opening planned for Denver International Airport in 2026—proof that a dive-bar handshake deal can grow into one of Denver’s most eclectic and enduring restaurant brands.

🍕🍗🍺 Read more on Atomic Cowboy’s 18-hour model and the creativity behind its menu here: https://www.fsrmagazine.com/feature/atomic-cowboy-mixes-bar-culture-with-culinary-innovation/