Eatery News: Global Cuisines

A trio of restaurant concepts with a variety of international cuisines has unveiled their expansion plans. They are:

Naf Naf Middle Eastern Grill (Chicago), which plans its first Ohio locales. Roma Patel, a multi-unit franchise operator, has signed a deal to open four Naf Naf locales in the Columbus market. Patel expects to open the first central Ohio Naf Naf this summer. (Specific locales and opening timetables were not provided by the participants.)

Pepper Lunch (Los Angeles), which is set to open three restaurants in Honolulu. The Japanese fast-casual concept, with more than 500 locations across 17 countries, is teaming with NIKU LLC to bring Pepper Lunch to the island this year and next. The first location is slated to open late this year at Moanalua Shopping Center, followed by two more by the end of 2026: in the Hyatt Centric Waikiki on Kuhio Avenue and a site on Kapahulu Avenue currently occupied by the Running Room. Eventually, the partners expect to have at least 10 locales on the islands.

SeoulSpice (Washington, D.C.), a purveyor of Korean rice and noodle bowls, which will take the wraps off its first restaurant in Chicago on March 26. The concept is the brainchild of Eric Shin, who is also principal percussionist of the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C. The chain’s Chicago locale is at 20 N. Michigan Ave., #100, in the city’s East Loop. SeoulSpice has seven other locations in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia.