Dessert News

Dessert shop from Top Chef Fabio Viviani closes Dallas location

Jars by Fabio Viviani

jars

A celebrity chef dessert concept has departed Dallas-Fort Worth: Jars by Fabio Viviani, a small fast-casual chain specializing in desserts in jars, has closed its two DFW area locations including one at 3610 Greenville Ave.

The concept was devised by Top Chef alumnus Fabio Viviani, a native of Italy who was a contestant in 2008. He founded Jars in 2021 as a gourmet quick-serve dessert concept serving an assortment of classic desserts from around the world in a single-serve jar. The first location opened in Chicago's West Loop in February 2023.

Dallas opened in May 2024, following the first DFW location which opened in Fort Worth in January 2024.

The menu rotated through more than 100 recipes, featuring classics such as cherry cheesecake, birthday cake, and even gluten free options. Popular flavors in DFW included banana cream pie and Oreo.

The concept was brought to DFW by husband-and-wife Jason and Tejal Wible; they closed the locations at the end of January 2025.

"We're a little sad, but in the end, it didn't take off," Tejal says. "People got jazzed when we first opened but business steadily dropped off."

In addition to the namesick specialty, they also offered soft-serve ice cream, with toppings such as cake pieces and Fruity Pebbles, or in milkshakes in flavors such as strawberry shortcake, banana cream pie, cookies & cream, and red velvet cheesecake.

But it's possible that people didn't see past the "jars."

Nonetheless, she says it was "a happy place" that drew fun customers. "It was a feelgood place and I think that was my favorite part," she says.

The DFW closures leave five locations of Jars still open, but no need to sob for Fabio — he is involved in at least two dozen other restaurant concepts. Busy guy!

celebrities closings

Fried Chicken News

Ambitious fried chicken restaurant from Denver lands in McKinney

Birdcall

Fried chicken from Birdcall.

A fast-casual chicken restaurant chain is flying into town: Birdcall, a Denver-based chain that specializes in fried chicken sandwiches and salads, will open in McKinney at 4702 W. University Dr., in a new center west of US-75.

According to a release, the restaurant will celebrate its grand opening on Monday, February 17.

Birdcall's main item is fried chicken sandwiches in nine varieties such as:

Southern with pimento cheese and southern coleslaw
Rancher with bacon onion jam, white cheddar, and Bird-B-Q Sauce
The Nashville hot deluxe with bacon, pepper-jack, tomato, lettuce, and herb mayo

They also do sliders, tenders, nuggets, and salads plus nine sides including fries, tater tots, loaded tots, and coleslaw. In addition, there's a vegan alternative using Meati, a faux chicken made from mushrooms.

Birdcall was created in 2016 by Peter Newlin and Jean-Philippe Failyau, two industry veterans who previously founded Denver-based concepts such as Park Burger and Homegrown Tap & Dough. With Birdcall, their goal was to not only offer a "better" chicken sandwich, but also improve the way fast-food restaurants operate.

There are now 12 locations in Colorado, Arizona, and Texas, with one other location in Richardson which opened in February 2024. (There were previously locations in Carrollton and Frisco, but both are now closed and no longer listed on their website.)

The McKinney restaurant will feature outdoor patio seating, a drive-thru, free arcade games, a bar, and self-serve ordering kiosks. Adding a creative and local touch to the vibrant atmosphere, the restaurant will also display murals by Dallas-based muralist Mari Pohlman.

The new location is part of the company’s goal to open 8-10 locations in the area, but leases have not been signed. All they need are leases and franchisees willing to open locations. Baby steps.

trends openings