Mountain Mike’s Pizza and 19 More Restaurant News Headliners of the Past Week

Mountain Mike’s Pizza, Women Leaders in Restaurants, The Peach Cobbler Factory, We Sell Restaurants, and The Melt lead RestaurantNews.com’s Top 20 stories for the week ending March 8, 2026.

1) Mountain Mike’s Pizza Expands Oklahoma Footprint With Edmond Opening
Mountain Mike’s Pizza has officially expanded its Oklahoma footprint with a new family-style restaurant in Edmond, marking the brand’s second location in the state under the leadership of local multi-unit owners Jesse and Mona Kang. This 2,800-square-foot community hub features the chain’s signature crispy curly pepperoni, a dynamic kids’ arcade, and an expansive patio, offering a premier destination for local sports fans and families to gather.

2) Celebrating Women Leaders in Quick Service Restaurants
This International Women’s Day spotlight showcases the influential female executives driving innovation and growth across major quick-service and fast-casual brands. From mastering franchise development to spearheading cutting-edge marketing strategies, these leaders are redefining industry standards and fostering people-first cultures for a more inclusive future in foodservice.

3) Celebrating Women Leaders in Full Service Restaurants
This International Women’s Day feature spotlights the visionary female executives steering full-service restaurant brands through an era of elevated hospitality and strategic expansion. By championing culinary innovation and operational excellence, these leaders are shaping the future of polished casual and family dining concepts across the national landscape.

4) The Peach Cobbler Factory Opens First-Ever Mall / Food Court Location in Louisville, Kentucky
The Peach Cobbler Factory has achieved a major milestone with the launch of its first-ever mall food court location at Mall St. Matthews in Louisville, Kentucky. This strategic expansion introduces the brand’s signature Southern-inspired desserts and new gourmet coffee offerings to a high-traffic retail environment, marking a significant evolution for the rapidly growing franchise.

5) We Sell Restaurants Expands to St. Cloud Minnesota
We Sell Restaurants has expanded its specialized brokerage services into St. Cloud, Minnesota, under the leadership of industry veterans Sean and Vicky Lauer. As the nation’s only franchise dedicated exclusively to restaurant sales, this new location provides local owners and aspiring entrepreneurs with expert guidance on valuations, lease negotiations, and ownership transitions.

6) The Melt Gears Up for Continued Expansion Following Record-Breaking 2025 Financial Results and more than $58.2M in Revenue across 19 Corporate Restaurants
The Melt achieved record-breaking financial success in 2025, generating over $58.2 million in revenue while maintaining impressive average unit volumes across its 19 corporate locations. This robust operational performance and disciplined growth strategy have established a proven model as the brand prepares to expand through franchising.

7) Del Taco Launches Project Sunrise, a Transformative Roadmap To Reignite Brand Growth
Del Taco has unveiled Project Sunrise, a comprehensive 18-month roadmap designed to reignite brand performance by returning to core menu classics and enhancing guest engagement through bold innovation. This transformative initiative prioritizes operational consistency and includes the reinstatement of original preparation methods for fan-favorite burritos as the company scales with new locations nationwide.

8) Bennigan’s Honors Irish Roots With 50th Anniversary Blarney Blast
Bennigan’s is celebrating its milestone 50th anniversary with the annual “Blarney Blast” campaign, featuring a festive limited-time menu packed with Irish-inspired flavors and handcrafted cocktails. This golden anniversary celebration honors the brand’s deep-rooted heritage of legendary hospitality while inviting guests to enjoy signature seasonal favorites across all locations.

9) Farmer Boys Appoints Mark Hardison as Chief Marketing Officer To Lead the Next Phase of Brand Growth
Farmer Boys has appointed industry veteran Mark Hardison as its new Chief Marketing Officer to spearhead the brand’s next phase of strategic growth and digital evolution. With over 25 years of experience at major restaurant chains, Hardison will focus on enhancing guest engagement and strengthening brand awareness as the farm-to-table concept expands its footprint.

10) Brinker International Promotes George Felix to EVP, Chief Marketing Officer
Brinker International has promoted George Felix to Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer to lead the marketing strategy and brand evolution for both Chili’s Grill & Bar and Maggiano’s Little Italy. This appointment leverages Felix’s proven leadership in the casual dining sector to enhance guest engagement and drive long-term traffic growth across the company’s premier restaurant portfolio.

11) Ono Hawaiian BBQ Celebrates Grand Opening of Second Long Beach Location
Ono Hawaiian BBQ has celebrated the grand opening of its second Long Beach location, further expanding its presence in Southern California with signature island-inspired cuisine. This new restaurant launch features the brand’s popular plate lunches and fresh, grilled proteins, providing the local community with authentic Hawaiian flavors in a welcoming, high-growth market.

12) Red Lobster Appoints Brad Hill as CFO and EVP, Transformation and Kristen Briede as Chief Global Development Officer
Red Lobster has strengthened its executive team with the appointments of Brad Hill as Chief Financial Officer and EVP of Transformation, alongside Kristen Briede as Chief Global Development Officer. These strategic leadership additions are designed to accelerate the brand’s global growth initiatives and drive a comprehensive transformation of the iconic seafood chain’s operational and financial performance.

13) The Peach Cobbler Factory Celebrates National Women’s History Month and the Powerful Impact of Women Entrepreneurs Across Its Growing Franchise System
The Peach Cobbler Factory is celebrating National Women’s History Month by highlighting the vital contributions of female entrepreneurs who lead a significant portion of the brand’s 130+ franchise locations. These women drive the company’s national growth and community impact while embracing the 2026 theme of gender equality and inclusive leadership in business.

14) Cookies N’ Cream Enters Florida With First Franchise Deal, Targets 50 Units Statewide
Cookies N’ Cream has officially entered the Florida market after signing its first franchise deal to bring the brand’s signature cookies and ice cream treats to the Sunshine State. This strategic move serves as a cornerstone for a larger expansion plan, with the company targeting a total of 50 units statewide to establish a major regional footprint.

15) Music City Meets the City of Light as Sweet Paris Celebrates First Tennessee Location
Sweet Paris Crêperie & Café has officially made its Tennessee debut with a grand opening celebration at the Nashville Yards development. This new location brings signature Parisian charm and an expansive menu of sweet and savory crêpes to Music City, while supporting the community through a partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee.

16) National Franchise Sales Taps Operations Leader Caitlyn Willett for Operating Principal Role
National Franchise Sales has promoted Caitlyn Willett to the position of Operating Principal, recognizing her strategic leadership in optimizing internal systems and elevating the firm’s brand presence. In this new role, she will expand her influence over the firm’s long-term vision, mentoring talent while driving operational excellence across the nation’s leading M&A advisory firm for franchises.

17) Free Cone Day Returns Just in Time for Spring! DQ Aims to Give Away More Free Cones – and Bring More Happiness – Than Ever Before
Dairy Queen is celebrating the arrival of spring by bringing back its fan-favorite Free Cone Day, offering a complimentary small vanilla soft-serve cone to guests at participating locations nationwide. It is a sweet way for fans to kick off the warmer weather and enjoy a classic treat on the house to start the season.

18) Friday Night Fish Fry: Soulman’s Bar-B-Que Celebrates a Beloved Texas Tradition
Soulman’s Bar-B-Que is continuing its beloved seasonal tradition by offering the Friday Night Fish Fry at all locations during the Lenten season. Guests can enjoy golden, deep-fried fish fillets served with hush puppies and classic Southern sides, creating a comforting homestyle meal for families and seafood lovers alike.

19) Rock N’ Roll Sushi Hits a High Note With First Oxford Restaurant
Rock N’ Roll Sushi has expanded its presence in Mississippi with the grand opening of its first location in Oxford, bringing its unique “original American sushi” experience to the local community. This new restaurant features the brand’s signature rock-themed atmosphere and a diverse menu of creative rolls, appetizers, and hibachi dishes designed to deliver big flavor and high energy.

20) Wings and Rings Launches All-New Daily Value Lineup Packed with Big Flavors and Big Savings
Wings and Rings has launched an all-new Daily Value lineup, featuring significant savings on signature wings, tender baskets, and lunch specials throughout the week. This fresh initiative includes family-friendly offers like “Kids Eat Free” nights and happy hour deals designed to provide guests with big portions and bold flavors at an accessible price point.