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Hot Concepts

Awarded annually, Hot Concepts recognize emerging chains from around the U.S. that have impressive growth momentum and the potential to become household names.

Featured on Hot Concepts

Hot Concepts 2024
Emerging Chains
6 emerging restaurant chains with huge potential6 emerging restaurant chains with huge potential

Get to know the 2024 Hot Concepts

byNRN staff
Oct 3, 2024
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6 Slides
An Angry Chickz restaurant
Fast Casual
Angry Chickz thrives out West with hot chicken and a cool cultureAngry Chickz thrives out West with hot chicken and a cool culture
byRon Ruggless
Oct 2, 2024
3 Min Read
Rodney Scott's Whole Hog BBQ
Fast Casual
How Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ grew out of a small South Carolina townHow Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ grew out of a small South Carolina town
byLeigh Anne Zinsmeister
Oct 2, 2024
4 Min Read
Toastique toast
Fast Casual
How Toastique thrived in a healthy-dining nicheHow Toastique thrived in a healthy-dining niche
byJoanna Fantozzi
Sep 30, 2024
3 Min Read
Tacombi food
Fast Casual
Tacombi offers a ‘greatest hits’ assortment of tacos from across MexicoTacombi offers a ‘greatest hits’ assortment of tacos from across Mexico
byBret Thorn
Sep 27, 2024
4 Min Read
Mecha Noodle Bar New Haven
Casual Dining
Mecha Noodle Bar offers Asian soul food in 10 laid-back locationsMecha Noodle Bar offers Asian soul food in 10 laid-back locations
bySam Oches
Sep 26, 2024
4 Min Read

More from Hot Concepts

PS ATL S5 GolfCourses
Eatertainment
Puttshack’s growth is fueled by a balance of the game, menu, and technology
Puttshack’s growth is fueled by a balance of the game, menu, and technology
Sep 17, 2024
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4 Min Read
byAlicia Kelso, Executive Editor
Hot Concepts 2024
Equipment
Nation’s Restaurant News announces 2024 Hot Concepts award winners
Nation’s Restaurant News announces 2024 Hot Concepts award winners
Aug 21, 2024
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2 Min Read
byNRN staff

Featured

Fogo de Chão exterior at sunset
Casual Dining
How Brazilian steakhouse brand Fogo de Chão surged onto America’s favorite chain list
How Brazilian steakhouse brand Fogo de Chão surged onto America’s favorite chain list

Jan 29, 2025

Breakfasts at The Granola Bar
Family Dining
Cofounders of modern diner chain The Granola Bar share how they ‘fell forward’ into growth
Cofounders of modern diner chain The Granola Bar share how they ‘fell forward’ into growth

Jan 22, 2025

Twin Peaks storefront
Casual Dining
On cusp of IPO, Twin Peaks CEO shares how sports bar chain has redefined category
On cusp of IPO, Twin Peaks CEO shares how sports bar chain has redefined category

Jan 18, 2025

A Tom’s Watch Bar storefront
Casual Dining
Tom’s Watch Bar heats up sports bar competition with focus on experience
Tom’s Watch Bar heats up sports bar competition with focus on experience

Dec 19, 2024

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