For many brands 2026 has been a year of retrenchment — strained consumer demand and high real estate and operating costs have led to a surge in closures and bankruptcies. These trends culminated in the bankruptcy of Meritage Hospitality, a major Wendy’s operator, and hundreds of closures at the end of Starbucks’ fiscal year.
But not every chain has been so grievously afflicted. The third quarter and early fourth quarter saw a number of dramatic milestones at chains. These growth hits aren’t confined to one ownership model or strategy — fast casual giants, flashy challenger franchises and steady-growing legacy brands have all reached major goals this year.
Here are four of the biggest development milestones from the last quarter in restaurants:
Cava tops 500 units
In September, Cava opened its 500th location less than a year after the chain hit $1 billion in yearly sales, according to a press release. The unit was its first Minneapolis location, continuing the chain’s strategic emphasis on opening new markets in the Midwest beginning with its 2024 Chicago debut.
Midwest expansion is helping the brand grow outside of its early markets on the coasts, while lining up new trade areas for development. A significant portion of Cava’s new unit development — up to 30% — targets wholly new markets, CFO Tricia Tolivar previously said. The majority of its store construction is concentrated in emerging and growth markets, where the chain has a presence but has not reached significant density, said Tolivar.
That model helps the brand grow its awareness in new markets and balance between rapid growth and feasible development. The chain is targeting a 75 to 77 store opening cadence in 2026, per its most recent earnings release. With 500 locations under its belt, the brand is looking to reach 1,000 by 2032, according to the press release.
Dave’s Hot Chicken opens 500th restaurant
Dave’s Hot Chicken passed the 500 store mark last week with an opening in Phoenix. It’s the second major milestone for the chain this year: It opened its 400th location earlier in 2026, per a press release.
Dave’s has seen breakneck growth this decade, rising from just two locations in 2020 to its current heights. Backed by Roark Capital since 2025, the brand is continuing its domestic growth surge. It opened eight units in one day in April in markets ranging from Utah to Connecticut.
Dave’s has also started to grow internationally, with market entries in Canada, the Middle East and the United Kingdom.
Freddy’s Frozen Custards & Steakburgers debuts 600th restaurant
On Monday, the burger chain opened its 600th restaurant in Beaufort, South Carolina, the company said in a press release. The end-cap restaurant does not include a drive-thru, reflecting Freddy’s recent strategy to offer more flexible development formats and expand its real estate options, the company said. The chain has also been adding in-line restaurants as part of its development plan.
The fast casual brand continues to prioritize growth in the Northeast, Midwest, Pacific Northwest, Northern California and Florida. Freddy’s recently signed a deal for five units in the Philippines and is considering additional international markets. In July, the chain projected that it would open about 60 units this year. The chain was acquired by Rhône just over a year ago.
Chipotle reaches 1,500 Chipoltanes
Chipotle debuted its 1,500th Chipotlane, a drive-thru mobile order and pickup lane, in late September at a restaurant in Florida, according to a press release. Florida is a major growth market for the brand, and Chipotle expects to increase its store count in the state by about 17% this year.
The Bradenton restaurant features Chipotle’s Habanero design, as well as its high-efficiency equipment package that offers advanced technology to “improve efficiency and enhance the employee and guest experience,” the press release said.
The chain opened 500 restaurants with Chipotlanes over the past two years and the bulk of new restaurants in its pipeline include the pickup channel. Last year, Chipotle opened 334 company-owned restaurants, which included 257 with the pickup lanes, according to the press release. The chain originally introduced the Chipotlane in 2018 and quickly expanded it after seeing that the format has higher average volumes and returns than a traditional Chipotle restaurant.
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.
