New Chains Enter Raleigh Amid Food Bank Data

The Triangle restaurant market is expanding rapidly, with new national brands entering the space and local establishments earning international acclaim.

Maggiano's Little Italy will open at Crabtree Valley Mall in Raleigh, taking over the space previously occupied by Brio Italian Grille.

This location will be the second Maggiano's in the Triangle, following the existing site at Streets at Southpoint in Durham. The chain is known for serving large, family-style portions. No opening date has been announced for the new Raleigh location.

Millie's Homemade Ice Cream, a franchise based in Pittsburgh, plans to open its first North Carolina shop at 325 Blake St. in City Market. The store will be located next to Blackbird Books and Coffee. The Triangle Business Journal reported that the shop targets an opening before the end of the year.

South Block, a Charlotte-based chain known for acai bowls and smoothies, is preparing to enter the Raleigh market. Its first location will be at 4121 Main at North Hills St., adjacent to bartaco. No opening date has been set for this expansion.

Simultaneously, the 2026 Michelin Guide American South ceremony held in Nashville recognized three Triangle restaurants with new Bib Gourmand designations. The recipients are Ajja in Raleigh, Ideal's in Durham, and Tesoro in Carrboro.

Tesoro is an 18-seat restaurant focused on pasta. Three other establishments, Prime Barbecue, Mala Pata, and Sam Jones BBQ, retained their Bib Gourmand status from the previous year. Sixteen additional Triangle restaurants, including Brewery Bhavana and Poole's, kept their Michelin recommended listings.

Other local changes include the opening of Grain & Berry in Apex, its second North Carolina location after Holly Springs. In Durham, M Kikkei, formerly M Pocha, is scheduled for an invitation-only soft opening on October 24 and a grand opening on October 29.

The Food Bank is marking Tackling Hunger Month this year. It reports that more than 600,000 neighbors in the region are not always sure where their next meal will come from. The organization states that every $25 provided results in 75 meals.

Upcoming events include the inaugural Chapel Hill Biscuit Festival on October 25 and the Rawleigh Oyster Fest on November 7. Organizers for the oyster event added a $60 Half Shell ticket after feedback from attendees who felt the pricing excluded them. The previous two editions sold out and raised approximately $12,500 combined.