Nominate for Brand Excellence
Awards 2025

Submit your brand across any of the 4 award verticals. Join the league of innovators reshaping America’s restaurant ecosystem.

The Brand Excellence edition of the G.R.E.A.T. Awards celebrates emerging icons, mid-sized industry giants, format-specific leaders, and fine-dining game changers across the U.S.

With over 30 award categories across 4 core verticals, this is your brand’s moment to gain national recognition, editorial spotlight, and unmatched industry validation.

TOP RISING STARS

Up-and-coming chains showcasing innovation, scalability, and cult followings.

  Best Local Favourite

  Best Budget Eats

  Best Customer Service

  Breakout Brand of the Year

  Most Innovative Menu

  Best Social Media Presence

  Best Delivery Experience

  Fastest Growing Chain

  Best Packaging

  Most Impactful CSR Program

GROWTH ICONS

Scalable success stories rooted in innovation, team excellence, and national appeal.

  Best Local Favourite

  Best Budget Eats

  Best Customer Service

  Breakout Brand of the Year

  Most Innovative Menu

  Best Social Media Presence

  Best Delivery Experience

  Fastest Growing Chain

  Best Packaging

  Most Impactful CSR Program

RESTAURANT FORMAT PIONEERS

Format-specific innovation across QSR, cafes, cloud kitchens, and more.

  Best Casual Dining Experience

  Best Quick Service Restaurant

  Best Cloud Kitchen/Virtual Brand

  Best Café Chain

  Best Themed Restaurant

FINE DINING EXCELLENCE

Elevated experiences. Culinary expression. Service mastery.

  Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year

  Best Wine & Beverage Program

  Fine-Dining Sustainability Award

  Best New Fine Dining Restaurant

  Best Modern American Fine Dining Experience

  Best Japanese Fine Dining Experience

  Best French Fine Dining Experience

  Best Steakhouse Dining Experience

  Best Pan-Asian Fine Dining Experience

  Best Italian Fine Dining Experience

  Best Mexican Fine Dining Experience

  Best Fine Dining Interior & Ambience

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Brand Excellence Awards?

The Brand Excellence Awards are the first phase of the G.R.E.A.T. Awards 2025, celebrating America’s most promising and impactful restaurant brands. They spotlight emerging icons, mid-sized industry leaders, format innovators, and fine-dining excellence across 4 verticals and 30+ award categories.

Any U.S.-based restaurant brand—whether a fast-growing local favorite, an established mid-market chain, a format-specific pioneer, or a fine-dining destination—can submit nominations.

  • Top Rising Stars: Up-and-coming brands making waves with innovation, scalability, and customer love.
  • Growth Icons: Established names demonstrating strong expansion, brand power, and market leadership.
  • Restaurant Format Pioneers: Brands leading in specific formats like QSR, cafes, cloud kitchens, or themed dining.
  • Fine Dining Excellence: Restaurants delivering elevated culinary experiences and service mastery.

No. Nominations for the Brand Excellence Awards 2025 are free of charge.

The last date to submit your entries for the Brand Excellence Awards 2025 is September 18, 2025.

Visit the official Brand Excellence Awards page on The Restaurant Times website, choose your vertical, complete the nomination form, and submit your details along with supporting information.

You’ll need basic brand details, recent achievements, performance highlights, innovation stories, and relevant links or media to support your nomination.

Winners of the Brand Excellence Awards 2025 will be revealed through The GREAT Awards’ official platforms. Stay tuned for the big announcement!

All submitted information will remain confidential and will only be used for evaluation purposes, unless we contact you for features or editorial coverage. Read our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions to know more.

An independent jury of industry experts will review each nomination, evaluating innovation, customer impact, scalability, sustainability practices, and brand storytelling.

Winners receive global editorial coverage on The Restaurant Times, official award recognition, spotlight features, and access to the G.R.E.A.T. Awards network of F&B leaders and innovators.

For any questions or assistance with the nomination process, write to us editor@restauranttimes.com.