Brooklyn Pizzeria will renovate a 2,500‑sq‑ft space at The Shoppes at Kingsgate in Kingwood; construction is set to begin in January with a March wrap expected.

Shredders Pizza, from Benjy Mason and chef Jason Kerr, will open in the Heights with delivery-first pies and a budget-friendly Italian wine list.

Insomnia Cookies filed to open a 1,214‑sq‑ft shop at College Park Plaza in Conroe; state records list a Jan. 16, 2026 completion and menu that includes vegan options.

Gyro Hut plans two corporate-run openings in early 2026 at Kingsbridge Plaza and West Bellfort, expanding its Houston footprint and promising local hires.

Loft18 closed its Sawyer Yards location on Jan. 1, 2026. Owners blamed rising crime and market costs but say they plan to reopen in another Houston-area neighborhood.

A new taqueria on Atascocita Road is serving Tijuana-style birria tacos, tortas and gorditas after a Nov. 1 opening.

A new Atascocita Road cafe from Kwan and Kia Johnson opened in December, serving Southern-style breakfast and lunch favorites. The menu includes shrimp and grits, biscuits and French toast.

Neon‑lit Rice Box is opening in Webster at 114 El Dorado Blvd, slated for the second quarter of 2026.

JuiceLand is opening a new Vintage Marketplace shop in northwest Houston; the TDLR permit lists a mid‑February 2026 fit-out completion and an early‑2026 debut.

Canadian shawarma chain Osmow’s is opening its first Houston outpost at Cougar Den Center near the University of Houston, with state filings showing a March 2026 completion.

Longtime Hartz Chicken on Pinemont will close Dec. 31 after the landlord declined to renew the lease; marketing materials for the adjacent parcel list a supermarket and apartments.

Em Café quietly opened Dec. 12 on Spencer Highway in Deer Park, serving Vietnamese phin coffee, matcha and boba. A grand-opening date hasn't been announced.

Home Slice Pizza became the first pizzeria inducted into the Austin American-Statesman’s Restaurant Hall of Fame, capping 20 years on South Congress. The honor recognizes neighborhood roots and steady growth.