The Wire

September 22, 2026

The large-format buffet brings more than 200 items, hot pot, sushi, seafood and grill stations to the Triangle.

UMI Hotpot Sushi & Seafood Buffet has opened in Cary’s Cross Roads Plaza, converting a former Red Lobster into a large-format buffet with more than 200 items spanning seafood, sushi, hot pot, ramen, grill dishes and desserts.

September 22, 2026

The delayed Greenwich Place restaurant will use made-to-order unlimited sushi, hibachi, teriyaki and appetizers rather than a buffet line.

Izumi Sushi & Hibachi is now targeting roughly Thanksgiving for its long-delayed Wichita opening. The North Dakota-based chain will bring made-to-order AYCE sushi, hibachi, teriyaki and appetizers to a former Buffalo Wings & Rings.

September 22, 2026

The fusion buffet mixed lo mein and fried rice with fajitas, tacos and a build-your-own burrito station.

ElChino Mexican-Chinese Buffet has closed in Tyler after a run of less than a year. The unusual concept combined Chinese and Tex-Mex dishes, a buffet and build-your-own taco and burrito service in a former Red Lobster.

September 22, 2026

The former Narumi Sushi space now offers roughly 50 rolls plus nigiri, sashimi, dim sum, hibachi and appetizers.

Akame Sushi has opened its second restaurant in Rancho Cordova, taking over a storefront with decades of sushi history. AYCE options run roughly $28.99 to $38.99, with around 50 rolls plus nigiri, sashimi and more.

September 21, 2026

State records point to ownership continuity, while Grand's menu and buffet/AYCE format remain unconfirmed.

Grand Restaurant is planned for Jacksonville's former Fushimi buffet space, with state records pointing to ownership continuity. The larger question remains unanswered: no menu, opening date or buffet/AYCE format has yet been confirmed.