Restaurant chains have continued to expand despite a difficult 2026 for many operators, hitting significant development milestones this fall. While other brands faced closures and bankruptcies, several fast casual and legacy players have reached major growth targets through strategic expansion and new development formats.
Cava passes 500 locations
Cava opened its 500th location in September, marking the milestone just a year after the chain hit $1 billion in yearly sales.
According to CFO Tricia Tolivar, as much as 30% of Cava’s upcoming restaurant projects are aimed at entirely fresh markets. Most of the new builds are focused on emerging or expanding regions where the brand already exists but lacks a high concentration of locations.
This model supports rapid growth while maintaining feasible development. The chain targets a 75 to 77 store opening cadence in 2026, and with 500 locations under its belt, it is looking to reach 1,000 by 2032.
Dave’s Hot Chicken reaches 500 units
Last week, Dave’s Hot Chicken reached its 500th outlet when a new restaurant opened in Phoenix, becoming the chain’s second significant achievement of 2026 following the 400th store launch earlier in the year. Over the past ten years, the company has experienced rapid expansion, climbing from only two sites in 2020 to the present count.
Supported by Roark Capital beginning in 2025, the chain maintains a strong expansion pace within the United States. In April, it launched eight new restaurants on a single day, spanning locations from Utah to Connecticut. Additionally, Dave’s has begun overseas expansion, entering markets such as Canada, the Middle East and the United Kingdom.
Freddy’s Frozen Custards & Steakburgers expands to 600
On Monday, the burger franchise inaugurated its 600th location in Beaufort, South Carolina. This end-cap outlet lacks a drive-through, illustrating the company’s newer approach of using more adaptable site formats to broaden real-estate possibilities. The brand is likewise incorporating in-line restaurants into its growth strategy.
Recently, the company secured an agreement to open five restaurants in the Philippines and is evaluating further overseas opportunities. In July, it forecasted opening roughly 60 new sites during the year, having been purchased by Rhône a little more than twelve months earlier.
Bankruptcy of Meritage Hospitality and Starbucks store closures signal industry strain
Many restaurant brands have experienced retrenchment in 2026 as strained consumer demand and real-estate and operating costs have driven a wave of closures and bankruptcies. The industry’s financial stress has manifested in a noticeable surge of both store shutdowns and corporate insolvencies throughout the year. The bankruptcy filing of Meritage Hospitality, which operated a large portfolio of Wendy’s locations, exemplifies the depth of the downturn.
Chipotle debuts 1,500 Chipotlanes
In late September, Chipotle launched its 1,500th Chipotlane—a drive-through lane for mobile orders and pickups—at a Florida location. The state represents a key expansion area for the chain, which anticipates raising its number of outlets there by roughly 17 percent during the current year.
During the prior year, Chipotle added 334 company-owned restaurants, 257 of which featured pickup lanes. The company first rolled out the Chipotlane concept in 2018 and rapidly grew it after discovering that the model generates greater average traffic and returns than a conventional outlet. This year, the chain expects to open 350 to 370 restaurants as it works toward its goal of reaching 7,000 restaurants across the U.S. and Canada. As of June 30, 2026, the chain had over 4,200 restaurants in the U.S., Canada, Europe and the Middle East.
