Nation’s Restaurant News is now accepting applications for its annual Hot Concepts Awards, which recognize growing chains that the editors expect to become major players in national foodservice.
To be eligible, a restaurant must have at least three locations open at the time of the application, and the first one has to have been open in 2016 or later.
The concepts will also be judged according to their uniqueness, their impact to date on the industry, and the value or other distinctive offerings they provide to their customers.
The deadline for submissions has been extended to June 10.
This year’s Hot Concepts are sponsored by The Coca-Cola Company, and winners will be recognized at CREATE: The Event for Emerging Restaurateurs, in Nashville on Oct. 9-11. Awardees must attend the conference and participate in a panel discussion with other winners.
The Hot Concepts Awards are nearly 30 years old and have a history of recognizing young brands that have grown up to be industry powerhouses, including The Cheesecake Factory, Cava, Panda Express, True Food Kitchen, and many others.
