Pizza Hut closing 250 stores as parent considers selling brand
Louisville-based Yum Brands said in November it was conducting a formal review of options for Pizza Hut, which has struggled with outdated stores and growing competition.
Restaurants
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Mayor: New luxury hotel to be built near Fishers Event Center
Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness, during his annual State of the City speech, said the hotel project will occupy the site that previously had been earmarked for Chicken N Pickle.
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UPDATE: Just Pop In! owners to close Broad Ripple location to focus on popcorn production
Just Pop In! owners Carly Swift and Mandy Selke opened their 5,000-square-foot Broad Ripple location in 2018.
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Soup shop near Monument Circle closed as 2026 arrived
Small Batch Soups, a business founded in 2014, served its final customers on the first floor of Circle Tower on Dec. 31.
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First ClusterTruck franchise location to open in Hamilton County
“Ghost kitchen” pioneer ClusterTruck, founded in Indianapolis in 2016, initially announced franchise opportunities in March 2024.
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Articles
North of 96th roundup: Steakhouse, record store, thrift store among openings
A new steakhouse, taco eatery, record store, hotel and thrift store are among the retailers, restaurants and other businesses that have recently opened or announced plans to open in the north suburbs of Indianapolis. Here’s a rundown:
Fishers chef putting plan into action for former Test Kitchen space
Kelsey Murphy, whose culinary career launched after her 2021 victory as a contestant on Fox’s “MasterChef,” opened Clutch Kitchen this month at The Yard at Fishers District in the former Fishers Test Kitchen space.
Senate votes to make pork tenderloin official state sandwich
Senate Bill 21 passed the chamber 37-11 and now heads to the Indiana House.
Restaurant designer puts stamp in Carmel with upscale Japanese eatery
In November, Kimmie Chang opened Okonori Japanese High Kitchen in The Corner, a new mixed-use development by Indianapolis-based Kite Realty Group at the intersection of East 116th Street and Rangeline Road.
Cunningham plans two-story restaurant concept in Fishers District
Developer Thompson Thrift announced several new leases for restaurants in The Union at Fishers District on Tuesday.
Garfield Brewery, Houlihan’s and Big Woods locations among year’s first closures
The closures are in Garfield Park, the Fashion Mall at Keystone and Hamilton Town Center, where a longtime tenant has closed to make way for a new steakhouse.
Single eatery replaces Fishers Test Kitchen restaurant accelerator
Clutch Kitchen, a restaurant founded by Indiana University alum and “MasterChef” competition winner Kelsey Murphy, has taken over the spot previously filled by three counter-service concept eateries.
Fox files request to shift former sports analyst Mark Sanchez’s assault case to federal court
Fox, which has been sued for negligent hiring, is requesting the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana take jurisdiction after asserting Huse Culinary was “fraudulently joined” to the lawsuit to keep the case in state.
Landmark restaurant Milktooth to change name, menu concept
The Fletcher Place brunch spot that helped Indianapolis build a reputation as a culinary destination is planning significant changes for 2026.
Colorado restaurants will be first Upland Brewing Co. locations outside Indiana
The Champagne Velvet-themed restaurants celebrate nearly forgotten beer resurrected by Upland Brewing Co. in 2013.
Pastry chef Cindy Hawkins finally captures title of ‘dessert world champion’
After placing in the Top 10 at four previous editions of the World Food Championships competition for chefs, Cindy Hawkins didn’t have to settle for “nearly victorious” status in 2025.
Q&A: Indianapolis franchisee for Portland-based women’s sports-only bar is ready to go
IBJ spoke to Eve Keller about her life and love of women’s sports and spaces. Read on for a transcript of that conversation, edited for length and clarity.
Punch Bowl Social faces eviction amid unpaid-rent lawsuit by Circle Centre owner
Hendricks Commercial Properties is asking the court to permit it to move forward with evicting Punch Bowl from its space and to collect unpaid rent, late charges, attorney fees, interest and other legal expenses.
Irvington could become site of city’s first DORA
Designated outdoor refreshment areas, or DORAs, have been widely established across the state since a law creating them was passed in 2023. But Indianapolis doesn’t yet have one.
Mesh on Mass to close after 15-year run
Cunningham Restaurant Group said it was unable to reach an agreement on a long-term lease for the restaurant with the building’s owner.
Wendy’s to close hundreds of stores in effort to boost profit
The new round of planned closures comes on top of the closure of 240 U.S. Wendy’s locations in 2024.
With Indianapolis Melting Pot honored as best in chain, franchisee eyes expansion
Melting Pot launched in Florida in 1975, when communal dining associated with fondue was a prominent social trend.
Plan for Zionsville’s long-vacant ‘Citgo lot’ calls for office-and-restaurant building
Jaffe Realty Co. plans to invest $12 million to redevelop the lot at 420 E. Main St., which has been empty for 14 years.
Pizza Hut’s parent company says it’s considering selling the chain
Louisville-based Yum Brands also owns popular fast-food chains KFC and Taco Bell.