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2024 Year In Review

FER news stories that almost made the Top 10 list included Pepper Lunch, a Japanese-based fast-casual concept, signing an agreement to open its first Florida location; Easy Ice picking up Armadillo Service Co.; Zaxby’s opening its first stores in Maryland and Zepole Supply Co. acquiring Fein Brothers

December 25, 2024

12 New Food Chains Coming To Arizona In 2025

"Pepper Lunch Japanese teppanyaki restaurant Pepper Lunch serves up sizzling hot plates of pepper rice, teriyaki and steak that cook right on the table. The chain has 500 locations across the world but only five restaurants in the U.S."

December 25, 2024

Japanese restaurant Pepper Lunch to enter Mongolia in 2025

The brand's franchise deal with Bluemon Group will bring its global reach to 17 countries.

December 19, 2024

Japanese restaurant chain Pepper Lunch to launch in Mongolia

Japanese restaurant chain Pepper Lunch plans to open its first store in Mongolia next year, as part of its global expansion strategy.

December 18, 2024

12 new restaurant chains coming soon to Arizona: Japanese teppanyaki to Texas BBQ

In 2023, Pepper Lunch announced that it would develop 10 locations in metro Phoenix over the next five years, launching its first foray into being a large American chain.

December 13, 2024

Troy Hooper on Time Blocking, Unlocking Hospitality Success, and Outsourcing Smartly

On this episode of The meez Podcast, host Josh Sharkey sits down with Troy Hooper, a seasoned hospitality consultant, Founder & CEO of Kiwi Restaurant Partners (KRP) and Nurish, Founder of SNDWCH, CEO of Pepper Lunch, and the host of The Pineapple Perspective Podcast

December 10, 2024

Local Business Owners Accelerate Connections at Phoenix Event

Jake Ireland and Ryan Dobson, who are franchise operators of Pepper Lunch, spoke about their opportunity to be some of the very first people to open a Pepper Lunch location within the United States and the first-ever within Phoenix.

November 12, 2024

Pepper Lunch Announces First-Year (13 Months) Franchising Results

Pepper Lunch, the Japanese-born experiential fast-casual concept unlike any other, with more than 520 locations in 16 countries, today announced results from its first full year of franchising.

October 30, 2024

The robot revolution is coming, eventually

"“Absolutely, 110,000 percent,” said Troy Hooper, CEO of Hot Palette America and Pepper Lunch in the U.S. And he noted that the return on investment is already there for robots such as fry makers. “The math maps out,” he said. “It’s coming. It’s just been a lot slower than I expected.”"

October 23, 2024

A few takeaways from the FSTEC Asia Conference

Pepper Lunch, a Singapore-based chain, has been spending the past couple of years doing everything it can to get the chain ready for growth under Troy Hooper, CEO of the chain’s U.S. operation.

October 23, 2024

20-Store Deal with Carl L. Karcher Group Bringing Pepper Lunch to Las Vegas

“The Japanese-born experiential fast-casual concept unlike any other” should debut in the valley before the end of 2025

October 21, 2024

Pepper Lunch Announces 20-Store Deal with Carl L. Karcher Group

Pepper Lunch, the Japanese-born experiential fast-casual concept unlike any other, with more than 500 locations in 15 countries, announced it has signed its most significant franchise development agreement to date.

October 11, 2024

Pepper Lunch and Carl L Karcher seal franchise development deal

The Carl L Karcher Group will manage the new establishments in key locations.

This Fast-Growing Steak Chain Is Expanding—Here's Where It's Going Next

If you've been on the hunt for a new spot to score affordable steaks, prepare yourself for some exciting news.

Pepper Lunch seals 20-store partnership with Carl L Karcher Group

The new units will be in addition to the group’s existing 75 Carl’s Jr locations, 45 Jamba Juice stores, and seven Dave’s Hot Chicken restaurants.

‘Experiential’ brand Pepper Lunch signs West Coast expansion deal

Pepper Lunch, an “experiential” fast casual restaurant brand founded in Japan, has signed a 20-unit deal with the Carl L. Karcher group, a major QSR franchisee, the companies said Wednesday.

Pepper Lunch Expands with New Franchise Agreement in U.S.

Pepper Lunch is making headlines with a groundbreaking franchise deal involving the Carl L. Karcher Group, a prominent player in the quick-service restaurant industry.

Pepper Lunch Signs its Most Significant Franchise Development Yet

Major QSR Franchisee Adds Pepper Lunch in 20-Unit Deal

Growing up in the restaurant industry and being a child of the guy who started one of most successful fast food chains in America, Carl Karcher is always on the hunt for the next exciting concept to add to his portfolio.

Pepper Lunch Announces 20-Store Deal with Carl L. Karcher Group

Pepper Lunch announces it has signed its most significant franchise development agreement to date.