• by Teresa Buyikian , February 23, 2024

This week’s mixed bag is led by burgers spreading across the country -- and the usual dose of hot chicken.

Locations

Fatburger has opened its latest location in Celebration, Florida. The new store is the second of 14 locations under development in Florida, including one recently opened in Orlando.

Houston TX Hot Chicken is slated to open six new locations across Utah by summer 2024, the first of which is in Lehi. The store will host its grand opening celebration on March 2 from noon to 3 P.M. with an Exotic Car Meet, complimentary sandwiches to the first 100 guests in line, a $500 “Munch Madness” Food Challenge, and a $1,000 “Houston, We Have a Problem” Spice Challenge Contest.

Jack in the Box hasannounced the signing of five new restaurant commitments that will expand the brand into Michigan. Additionally, the chain has secured a 10-store development agreement for Orlando, Florida. The expansion of the San Diego, CA-based chain follows recent openings and development agreements in areas throughout Utah, Kentucky, Arkansas, Florida, Montana and Wyoming.

Noodles & Company, the fast casual noodle bowls chain, has opened a new location in Williston, North Dakota. The new store is the 16th Noodles restaurant owned by Little Deep Pasta throughout the North Dakota, Minnesota, South Dakota, Montana, and Nebraska regions.

Menu Items

Burgerville has announced its latest Q2 menu items, led by new Big Cowboy Sliders and Cajun Waffley Fries. The Big Cowboy Sliders contain a Country Natural Beef Patty, BBQ sauce, fried onions, bacon, Tillamook Cheddar Cheese and mayo, and are available until April 1. The Cajun Waffley Fries are tossed in Jacobsen Salt Co.’s Cajun Spice, an exclusive product made only for Burgerville, and available through April 8. The chain has also added a Waffle Cone Nut Butter Milkshake.

El Pollo Loco has introduced a new Double Baja Shrimp Tostada and a Chicken and Shrimp Tostada. Both contain Baja Shrimp, avocado, beans, rice, cheese, lettuce, sour cream, salsa fresca and cilantro dressing atop a crunchy tostada shell.

Pokeworks has recently added Keto Bowls, Pressed Sushi and Flame-Cooked Salmon to its menu, and is also introducing a 100% plant-based sushi grade tuna. Diners can try the new “tuna” in a variety of poke bowls or create their own protein option for a limited time starting Feb. 26 in California’s Bay Area, and later in March in New York City.