2026 Fast Casual Brands To Watch

Discover the rising stars of fast casual dining as hosts Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler interview three breakout brands from FastCasual.com's 2026 list of 25 emerging brands to watch. Jeff Pereira of Jeff's Bagel Run shares how a home kitchen experiment turned into a 26-unit bagel empire with vertical integration and proprietary tech. Brian Simowitz reveals Houston TX Hot Chicken's blueprint for scaling to 300+ locations through racing-inspired energy and loyalty innovation. Matt Morrison discusses Agapé Mediterranean's growth strategy in the fast-expanding Mediterranean category, dubbed "the new Mexican." Learn how these founders are redefining hospitality, leveraging social media, navigating price pressures, and building the next generation of restaurant concepts in a sector projected to reach $148 billion. #FastCasual #RestaurantIndustry #EmergingBrands Get Your Podcast Now! Are you a hospitality or restaurant industry leader looking to amplify your voice and establish yourself as a thought leader? Look no further than SavorFM, the premier podcast platform designed exclusively for hospitality visionaries like you. Take the next step in your industry leadership journey – visit https://www.savor.fm/ Capital & Advisory: Are you a fast-casual restaurant startup or a technology innovator in the food service industry? Don't miss out on the opportunity to tap into decades of expertise. Reach out to Savor Capital & Advisory now to explore how their seasoned professionals can propel your business forward. Discover if you're eligible to leverage our unparalleled knowledge in food service branding and technology and take your venture to new heights. Don't wait – amplify your voice or supercharge your startup's growth today with Savor's ecosystem of industry-leading platforms and advisory services. Visit https://www.savor.fm/capital-advisory