10 groundbreaking concepts of 2014

Instead of following the lead, these trendsetting operations have changed the game with unique, new business plans. So they've become the ones to watch.

As concepts fight for a foothold in the crowded restaurant industry, determination to be on the cutting edge drives many decisions. These 10 groundbreakers all pushed the envelope during the last 12 months in terms of both design and operation, bending traditions and blurring lines within their typical space to set new directions.

  1. Eataly
  2. Kitchen LTO
  3. Teavana Fine Teas + Tea Bar
  4. Legal Crossing
  5. Rose. Rabbit. Lie.
  6. Pizza Hut
  7. KFC Eleven
  8. Disney World Food Trucks
  9. McDonald's Build Your Own Burger
  10. Tom Bradley Terminal

Next: Eataly

Members help make our journalism possible. Become a Restaurant Business member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.

Multimedia

Exclusive Content

Financing

For Starbucks, 2 years of change hasn't yielded promised results

The Bottom Line: The coffee shop giant’s sales struggles worsened earlier this year, despite a flurry of efforts to improve operations and employee satisfaction.

Food

Nando's Americanizes its menu a bit as U.S. expansion continues

Behind the Menu: Favorites like mac and cheese, bowls and salads join the fast casual’s Afro-Portuguese-rooted dishes, including the signature peri-peri chicken.

Financing

The consumer is cutting back, but not everywhere

The Bottom Line: Early earnings from major restaurant chains suggest the consumer has taken a distinct turn for the worse so far in 2024.

Trending

More from our partners