Trending this week: Biscuit Belly acquires Maple Street Biscuit Company

This week on Nation's Restaurant News, the top story was “Biscuit Belly acquires Maple Street Biscuit Company.” Louisville, Kentucky-based bunch concept Biscuit Belly has acquired Maple Street Biscuit Company, a subsidiary of Cracker Barrel. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The acquisition adds 34 Maple Street locations to Biscuit Belly’s footprint, more than tripling its growth. Those locations will be converted to the Biscuit Belly brand throughout the next 18 to 24 months, with conversions starting in the Cincinnati and Richmond, Virginia, markets.

In other news, Chili’s Grill & Bar is giving its restaurants a new look as the chain looks to build upon its three-year comeback campaign. With the goal to “make Chili’s more Chili’s,” the renovations take inspiration from Chili’s restaurants of the past, including its original location in Dallas, while adding some modern touches.

Also, nearly 12 months after backlash to a new logo tanked its sales, Cracker Barrel is on a roll. In an update Monday, the family-dining chain said same-store restaurant sales were down 2.5% year over year through the first 11 weeks of the current quarter, while same-store retail sales were up 0.5%.