Hot Concepts

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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

Brassica, Joyland, Houston TX Hot Chicken, Tacotarian, and Waldo's Chicken & Beer

5 lessons from leaders at emerging restaurant chains 5 lessons from leaders at emerging restaurant chains

Houston TX Hot Chicken, Tacotarian, Joyland, Brassica, and Waldo’s Chicken & Beer are the 2025 Hot Concepts and were represented at CREATE

byLeigh Anne Zinsmeister, Managing Editor

Oct 17, 2025

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1 Min Read

The 2025 Hot Concept winning restaurants

Emerging Chains

Get to know Nation’s Restaurant News’ 2025 Hot Concepts Get to know Nation’s Restaurant News’ 2025 Hot Concepts

byLeigh Anne Zinsmeister

Oct 8, 2025

5 Slides

Houston TX Hot Chicken food

Houston TX Hot Chicken leans into atmosphere in crowded market Houston TX Hot Chicken leans into atmosphere in crowded market

Oct 8, 2025

1 Min Read

Tacos at Tacotarian restaurant

Tacotarian proves plant-based concepts can have universal appeal Tacotarian proves plant-based concepts can have universal appeal

byJoanna Fantozzi

Oct 8, 2025

1 Min Read

fried chicken sandwich at Joyland restaurant

Joyland offers fast-casual food with a Southern accent Joyland offers fast-casual food with a Southern accent

Oct 8, 2025

1 Min Read

Food at the restaurant Brassica

With Chipotle’s help, Brassica could be the next huge Mediterranean fast casual restaurant With Chipotle’s help, Brassica could be the next huge Mediterranean fast casual restaurant

Oct 8, 2025

1 Min Read

More from Hot Concepts

Waldo’s Chicken & Beer chicken sandwiches

Waldo’s Chicken & Beer has ‘taken on a life of its own’

Waldo’s Chicken & Beer has ‘taken on a life of its own’

byAlicia Kelso, Executive Editor

Emerging Chains

Nation’s Restaurant News announces 2025 Hot Concepts winners

Nation’s Restaurant News announces 2025 Hot Concepts winners

Hot Concepts 2024

Emerging Chains

6 emerging restaurant chains with huge potential

6 emerging restaurant chains with huge potential

An Angry Chickz restaurant

Angry Chickz thrives out West with hot chicken and a cool culture

Angry Chickz thrives out West with hot chicken and a cool culture

byRon Ruggless, Senior Editor

Rodney Scott's Whole Hog BBQ

How Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ grew out of a small South Carolina town

How Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ grew out of a small South Carolina town

byLeigh Anne Zinsmeister, Managing Editor

Toastique toast

How Toastique thrived in a healthy-dining niche

How Toastique thrived in a healthy-dining niche

byJoanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

Tacombi food

Tacombi offers a ‘greatest hits’ assortment of tacos from across Mexico

Tacombi offers a ‘greatest hits’ assortment of tacos from across Mexico

byBret Thorn, Senior Food Editor

Mecha Noodle Bar New Haven

Mecha Noodle Bar offers Asian soul food in 10 laid-back locations

Mecha Noodle Bar offers Asian soul food in 10 laid-back locations

bySam Oches, Editor in Chief

PS ATL S5 GolfCourses

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

byAlicia Kelso, Executive Editor

Hot Concepts 2024

Nation’s Restaurant News announces 2024 Hot Concepts award winners

Nation’s Restaurant News announces 2024 Hot Concepts award winners