Selected 2026 Restaurant Openings From Established Multi-Unit Operators
These examples highlight multi-unit restaurant brands and operating groups with documented 2026 opening activity. Each record below reflects a new restaurant location or ownership change tied to an existing restaurant operator, franchisee, or corporate restaurant group.
Qahwah House
Qahwah House is opening in Spring 2026 at 65 Broad Street in Stamford, Connecticut, at the former City Market site, near Courtyard By Marriott Stamford Downtown.
The concept operates in the coffee and Middle Eastern café category, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner dayparts, no alcohol service, approximately 20 seats, and a $4–15+ check average across an estimated 1,000 square feet.
The restaurant is owned by Ibrahim Alhasbani. This opening marks continued expansion of a specialty coffee and Middle Eastern café concept into the Connecticut market.
Raising Cane's
Raising Cane's is opening in May 2026 at 750 Route 18 in East Brunswick, New Jersey, at the former Red Lobster site, near Denny's Restaurant.
The concept operates in the chicken quick-service category, with lunch and dinner service, no alcohol service, approximately 70 seats, and a $4–15+ check average across an estimated 1,750 square feet.
This opening fills a former Red Lobster site and reflects continued aggressive national expansion by one of the fastest-growing quick-service chicken chains in the U.S.
Raising Cane's
Raising Cane's is opening in June 2026 at 2616 Dawson Road in Albany, Georgia, near Thomas DeLoatch.
The concept operates in the chicken quick-service category, with lunch and dinner service, no alcohol service, approximately 70 seats, and a $4–15+ check average across an estimated 1,750 square feet.
This opening adds another Georgia market location for Raising Cane's and reflects continued Southeast expansion activity for the brand.
Round Table Pizza
Round Table Pizza, at 775 Gravenstein Highway South in Sebastopol, California, inside Southpoint Center, has filed an alcohol transfer license from Ali Akbar Karachi to Lakhwinder Singh, doing business as Sandhu Legacy LLC. The estimated transfer date is April–May 2026.
The concept operates in the pizza fast-casual category, with lunch and dinner service, beer and wine alcohol service, approximately 80 seats, and a $10–30+ check average across an estimated 2,500 square feet.
This record reflects an ownership and operator transfer at an existing Round Table Pizza location rather than a new opening.
Shake Shack
Shake Shack is opening in July 2026 at 4840 Tanger Outlet Boulevard in North Charleston, South Carolina, at Tanger Outlets.
The concept operates in the burger fast-casual category, with lunch and dinner service, beer and wine alcohol service, approximately 100 seats, and a $10–30+ check average across an estimated 3,000 square feet.
This opening adds a South Carolina outlet center location for Shake Shack and reflects continued expansion by a nationally scaled premium burger brand into high-traffic retail destination environments.
Surcheros Fresh Mex
Surcheros Fresh Mex is opening in May 2026 at 5138 Thomasville Road in Tallahassee, Florida, near Inland-Sunstop.
The concept operates in the Mexican and Latin fast-casual category, with lunch and dinner service, beer and wine alcohol service, approximately 125 seats, and a $4–15+ check average across an estimated 3,000 square feet.
The location is franchised by Amy Cooksey. This opening signals continued Florida market development for the Surcheros system.
Tandoori Pizza
Tandoori Pizza is opening in May 2026 at 4985 South Arizona Avenue, Suite 3 in Chandler, Arizona, near Majestic Chandler 9.
The concept operates in the pizza fast-casual category, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner dayparts, beer and wine alcohol service, approximately 40 seats, and a $4–15+ check average across an estimated 1,250 square feet.
This opening adds an Arizona location for Tandoori Pizza and reflects continued franchise development for the concept in the Southwest market.
Summary
| Brand | Market | Opening Timing | Operator Scale | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qahwah House | Stamford, CT | Spring 2026 | 28 locations | Middle Eastern coffee |
| Raising Cane's | East Brunswick, NJ | May 2026 | 544 locations | Chicken quick service |
| Raising Cane's | Albany, GA | June 2026 | 544 locations | Chicken quick service |
| Round Table Pizza | Sebastopol, CA | April–May 2026 | Multi-unit operator | Pizza fast casual (transfer) |
| Shake Shack | North Charleston, SC | July 2026 | 500 locations | Burger fast casual |
| Surcheros Fresh Mex | Tallahassee, FL | May 2026 | 29 locations | Mexican fast casual |
| Tandoori Pizza | Chandler, AZ | May 2026 | 18 locations | Pizza fast casual |
