Smalls Sliders and 19 More Restaurant News Headliners of the Past Week

Smalls Sliders, Taco Bell, Portillo’s, Taco Cabana, and Twin Peaks lead RestaurantNews.com’s Top 20 stories for the week ending March 22, 2026.

1) Smalls Sliders Turns Up the Heat with First-Ever New Slider: BBQ Bacon Jalapeño
Smalls Sliders is heating up the season with the debut of its new limited-time BBQ Bacon Jalapeño Slider featuring a signature beef patty topped with crispy bacon and fresh jalapeños. This zesty new addition is served on a toasted bun with tangy barbecue sauce to deliver a bold and savory flavor profile to guests at all participating locations.

2) Taco Bell Debuts Bold New Chicken Innovations Remixing Two Fan-Favorite Forms
Taco Bell is expanding its menu with a new Cantina Chicken lineup featuring slow-roasted, shredded chicken seasoned with Mexican spices and a vibrant Avocado Verde Salsa. This innovative collection includes several new items like the Crispy Chicken Crunchwrap Slider and Cantina Chicken Rolled Quesadilla, highlighting the brand’s commitment to delivering premium proteins and fresh, bold flavors nationwide.

3) Portillo’s Appoints Jennifer Pecoraro-Striepling as Chief Development Officer
Portillo’s has appointed Jennifer Pecoraro-Striepling as its new Chief Development Officer to oversee the brand’s ambitious growth and real estate expansion strategies. Bringing extensive experience in restaurant development and design, she will lead the company’s efforts to bring its signature Chicago-style street food to new markets across the country.

4) Taco Cabana Launches New El Paso Menu Celebrating Authentic Mexican Flavors
Taco Cabana is launching a new test menu in El Paso featuring authentic Mexican flavors and expanded protein options like Al Pastor and Carne Asada. This strategic regional debut focuses on traditional street-style preparations and handmade tortillas to deliver a more elevated and culturally-inspired dining experience.

5) Twin Peaks Shenandoah Unveils New State-of-the-Art Cigar Bar Experience Featuring Premium Cigars, Rare Spirits and Elevated Pairings
Twin Peaks is elevating its Shenandoah location with the debut of a sophisticated new cigar bar experience featuring premium hand-rolled cigars and rare spirits. This upscale addition offers guests a curated lounge atmosphere designed to complement the brand’s signature lodge environment and extensive beverage program.

6) Boba CuCue Brings More Boba Magic to North Carolina, Signs Second Charlotte Location
Boba Cucue is expanding its North Carolina footprint with the opening of a second location in Charlotte, bringing its signature artisanal boba teas and unique dessert offerings to a new neighborhood. This strategic growth milestone highlights the brand’s increasing popularity and commitment to providing high-quality, customizable beverages to the local community.

7) Pizza Inn Invites Guests to Spend Easter With Their Peeps
Pizza Inn is celebrating the spring season with the return of its limited-time Peeps Pizzert, featuring a marshmallow-infused dessert crust topped with colorful Peeps chicks and a drizzle of icing. This festive treat is available at participating buffet locations through the Easter holiday, offering a playful and sweet addition to the brand’s signature dessert lineup.

8) Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria Celebrates 55 Years
Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria is celebrating its 55th anniversary by honoring its legacy as a pioneer of authentic Chicago-style deep dish pizza. The milestone marks over five decades of family ownership and commitment to quality ingredients, remaining a staple in the competitive pizza industry.

9) Off The Hook Restaurants Names Regan Starnes Nelson Director of Marketing & Public Relations
Off The Hook Restaurants has named Regan Starnes Nelson as the company’s new Marketing Director to spearhead brand growth and strategic communication efforts. Bringing a wealth of industry experience, she will oversee marketing initiatives for the brand’s diverse portfolio of restaurant concepts.

10) Chili’s Grill & Bar and Spire Motorsports Bring Iconic Throwback to Alumni Weekend
Chili’s Grill & Bar is teaming up with Spire Motorsports for a high-speed partnership at the upcoming Alumni Weekend at Darlington Raceway. This strategic collaboration features a special Chili’s-themed car wrap and exclusive fan engagement opportunities, celebrating the brand’s connection to the racing community and its commitment to delivering “Winning” experiences.

11) Twin Peaks and Dos Equis Launch $2 Million Bracket Challenge for 2026 Tournament Season
Twin Peaks is partnering with Dos Equis to launch an exciting college basketball bracket challenge offering fans the chance to win a grand prize of $2 million. Participants can enter their tournament predictions online or via the brand’s mobile app to compete for the life-changing payout and other exclusive rewards throughout the championship season.

12) I’ll Sip to That! SONIC Launches Refreshers, Expanding Its Beverage Lineup with Real Fruit and Feel-Good Hydration
SONIC Drive-In has launched a brand-new lineup of Refreshers featuring a vibrant blend of real fruit and sparkling water in three refreshing flavors. This innovative beverage category offers guests a crisp, low-calorie alternative designed to deliver a bright burst of natural sweetness just in time for the spring season.

13) National Restaurant Association Show Honors 28 Products with 2026 FABI Awards
The National Restaurant Association Show has announced the recipients of the 2026 Food and Beverage Innovative (FABI) Awards, recognizing 35 industry-leading products for their creativity and market potential. These award-winning selections highlight the latest trends in flavor, sustainability, and operational efficiency, serving as a definitive guide for operators looking to enhance their menus with cutting-edge culinary solutions.

14) Dickey’s Barbecue Pit Celebrates 10 Years in Communities Across the Country During 85th Anniversary Year
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit is celebrating a major milestone as several of its franchise locations reach their 10-year anniversaries of serving their local communities. these decade-long partnerships highlight the brand’s commitment to sustainable growth and the enduring success of its dedicated owner-operators across the country.

15) Bonchon Appoints Industry Veteran Blas Escarcega as Chief Development Officer to Accelerate U.S. Growth
Bonchon has appointed Blas Escarcega as its new Chief Development Officer to spearhead the brand’s aggressive franchise expansion and real estate strategy across the United States. With a proven track record in restaurant growth, he will lead the efforts to reach a milestone of 500 domestic locations and solidify the brand’s position as a leader in the Korean fried chicken segment.

16) Feng Cha Inks Five-Unit Deal to Enter Waco Market
Feng Cha is significantly expanding its Texas footprint through a new five-unit franchise agreement targeting major markets in Waco and the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. This strategic development deal aims to bring the brand’s signature premium boba teas and boutique desserts to a wider audience while accelerating its overall growth momentum across the Lone Star State.

17) Mo’ Bettahs Brings Hawaiian Flavor to Celina
Mo’ Bettahs Hawaiian Style Food is expanding its presence in Texas with the grand opening of its newest location in Celina. This new restaurant brings the brand’s authentic Hawaiian plate lunches and “aloha spirit” to the local community, featuring signature items like teriyaki chicken and kalua pig.

18) Ono Hawaiian BBQ Expands in Phoenix with Grand Opening of Fourth Location
Ono Hawaiian BBQ is continuing its expansion in the Arizona market with the grand opening of its newest location in Phoenix. This new restaurant brings the brand’s signature Hawaiian-inspired plate lunches and authentic island flavors to a growing community of local diners.

19) Angry Chickz Sets Its Sights on Mesa with East Valley Debut
Angry Chickz is set to make its highly-anticipated East Valley debut with the upcoming grand opening of its newest location in Mesa, Arizona. This strategic expansion will bring the brand’s popular Nashville hot chicken and signature customizable spice levels to a new community of local diners.

20) US Foods Spring Scoop Line-Up Addresses Top Operator Priority: High-Quality Through Consistency
US Foods has launched its Spring Scoop lineup, featuring a curated selection of innovative products designed to help restaurant operators address labor challenges and rising costs. This new collection focuses on versatile, high-quality ingredients and labor-saving solutions that enable kitchens to enhance their menus while maintaining operational efficiency.