Skip to Main Content

Top Emerging Restaurant Chains in the U.S.

Discover the restaurant concepts gaining momentum and reshaping the U.S. foodservice landscape in 2026.

Consumer Insights, Foodservice, Innovation, Restaurants
assorted food and drinks

Stay informed on the latest food industry insights by subscribing to our newsletter.

Explore the brands shaping what’s next in the restaurant industry

The next generation of restaurant brands is here, and they’re scaling fast. Datassential’s Top 25 Emerging Chains report, part of the flagship Datassential 500 — Datassential’s comprehensive ranking and analysis of the most influential restaurant brands nationwide — identifies the concepts that have reached meaningful scale while demonstrating strong year-over-year expansion, sustained multi-year growth, and standout innovation.

Key insights from the report:

  • Toastique and Kyuramen lead all emerging chains, each surpassing 117% year-over-year unit growth
  • Global cuisine concepts like KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot and The Halal Shack reflect surging consumer demand for international and experiential dining
  • Drive-thru coffee brands like 7 Brew and Summer Moon Coffee are winning younger consumers with fast, customizable, social-media-friendly beverages
  • Dessert concepts such as The Peach Cobbler Factory and Parlor Doughnuts are capitalizing on social media discovery and highly shareable menus

Download the complimentary report today to see all Top 25 Emerging Chains and understand the trends shaping what’s next in foodservice.

INSIGHTS IN THIS REPORT

  • Several emerging chains posted unit growth rates exceeding 70% year-over-year, signaling a new wave of rapid scaling in foodservice
  • Focused, specialized concepts are outpacing broad-menu competitors in both growth rate and consumer resonance
  • Global cuisine and indulgent beverage formats are among the fastest-growing category drivers across the emerging chain landscape
2026 emerging chains report