Pepper Lunch franchise partner Sizzling Hospitality has secured four locations across the Austin and Houston metropolitan areas in Texas to support its expansion.

Restaurants are planned to be developed in Leander, Hutto and Kyle in Greater Austin, and in Missouri City near Houston.

Sizzling Hospitality is expected to have up to ten leases in place by the end of this month, and as many as eight of those could start operating within a year, or within 20 months of becoming a major franchisee.

The first confirmed outlet is due to open by year-end in Leander.

Sites in Hutto, Kyle and Missouri City are in development and form part of the initial launch phase.

Pepper Lunch said this follows a 20-unit development agreement signed around nine months ago to bring the brand to Texas. Sizzling Hospitality, led by industry veteran Bobby Shaw, signed the Texas agreement on 30 September 2025.

Pepper Lunch CEO Troy Hooper said: “One of the reasons we selected Bobby and Sizzling Hospitality to develop Texas was their ability to execute quickly and strategically.

“In less than a year, they’ve assembled an impressive pipeline spanning both Austin and Houston, two of the fastest-growing and most dynamic restaurant markets in the country.

“This level of momentum validates the tremendous opportunity we see for Pepper Lunch throughout Texas.”

Pepper Lunch said it continues to expand in North America, with more than 120 restaurants under paid development commitments across multiple states and territories.

Founded in Japan in 1994, Pepper Lunch currently operates more than 570 locations in 17 countries.