Starting the new year with additional unit growth, Sonic Drive-In has announced expansion plans in the state of New York with a franchise agreement bringing eight new drive-ins to Buffalo within the next six years. The nation's largest chain of drive-in restaurants has reached an agreement with Kevin DiPirro to develop these locations, with the first planned to open in the spring of 2015. The eight drive-in locations will extend throughout Niagara and Erie counties.

Celebrity chefs Mario Batali, Michael Symon and Carla Hall, entertaining expert Clinton Kelly and health and wellness enthusiast Daphne Oz welcome the new year with a slew of great tips.

It's that time of the year when people look back on years past and identify goals they want to achieve in the year ahead. According to USA.gov, nearly half of the most popular New Year's resolutions each year are health-related.

"Despite good intentions, the majority of Americans give up on their New Year's resolutions within the first few weeks of the new year," said Gail Marchese, wellness coordinator at Tops. "For those making health-related resolutions, there are simple ways to make smarter food and lifestyle choices that can be easily incorporated into your daily lives."

Here are a few wellness, smart eating, and food shopping tips from Tops to ease the transition to a healthier lifestyle in 2014 and beyond.

The Taste of Buffalo presented by Tops is accepting online applications year-round from Western New York restaurants, food trucks and wineries interested in participating in Buffalo's premier summertime food festival.

The International Bottled Water Association reminds consumers that maintaining proper hydration throughout the winter months is important. The main reason is that, in the winter, people tend not to notice they are dehydrated because they aren't sweating as much.

The Niagara Wine Trail has announced the addition of its 20th member winery, Schwenk Wine Cellars, located off of Route 18 at 1456 Bills Road in the Town of Kent (Orleans County).

Water Street Landing is unquestionably one of Lewiston's most popular spots to dine in the warm months. But what do patrons do in the winter?

The restaurant recently debuted an outdoor seating area that is lit by a fire pit, which also provides warmth.

Dunkin' Donuts has opened a new restaurant at 628 Main Road in Irving, conveniently located at the entrance to Interstate 90. The restaurant is the first of two Dunkin' Donuts restaurants in the greater Buffalo area to incorporate the brand's new "Fresh Brew" design, which features a contemporary layout, color scheme, lighting, seating and other modern conveniences.

"The Chew" celebrates this holiday season with sumptuous recipes to delight the senses, easy crafts to impress, and a feast of celebrities including Santa Claus himself.

The Bergholz Volunteer Fire Co. and Ladies Auxiliary's monthly chowder and baked goods sale begins at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at the truck hall on Niagara Road in Bergholz.

Food Network kicks off the new year with five times the food and fun in the brand-new series "The Kitchen," co-hosted by culinary favorites Sunny Anderson, Katie Lee, Jeff Mauro, Marcela Valladolid and Geoffrey Zakarian.

Chef Emeril Lagasse digs deeper into the rich cuisine, stunning scenery and diverse culture of the Sunshine State in Cooking Channel's returning series "Emeril's Florida," premiering Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014, at 2:30 p.m.

Dunkin' Donuts will show its support for one of America's most iconic holiday toy collection drives this holiday season through a second-year partnership with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves' Toys for Tots program in Western New York.

Aaron Rotella is opening The Spicey Pickle in Lewiston a little later this winter.

If there's one downside to fabulous, food-filled holiday celebrations, it's the gurgles and groans of post-feasting indigestion.

"We assume it's because we overate, but for a lot of people, that pain and sick feeling may not be about how much you ate but what you ate," said Kyra Bussanich, (www.kyrasbakeshop.com), three-time winner of The Food Network's "Cupcake Wars," and author of a just-released recipe book, "Sweet Cravings: 50 Seductive Desserts for a Gluten-Free Lifestyle."

Hit primetime competition series "Cutthroat Kitchen" serves up ingenious cooking skills, devilish challenges and a side of sabotage with a brand-new 13-episode season, kicking off Sunday, Dec. 15, at 10 p.m. on the Food Network.

Niagara Catholic Jr./Sr. High School cordially invites interested adults to participate in an upcoming exploration of Chinese culture, language and cooking under the direction of its Chinese teacher, Lifeng (Linda) Li.

It's turkey time! With Thanksgiving just days away, "The Chew" is sharing even more recipes and entertaining inspiration to help you be the hostess with the mostest this Thursday.

Autumn is one of the most abundant, diverse and delicious seasons in the Greater Niagara USA region of New York state. It's also the perfect time to plan a day trip, visiting local farms and markets for regional produce, meats and baked goods to make holiday meals truly special.

The five counties that make up the Greater Niagara Region offer unique agricultural features.

Cooking fires are the No. 1 cause of home fires throughout the country. With firefighters responding to three times as many emergencies during Thanksgiving, the Firemen's Association of the State of New York is providing the following safety guidelines to ensure New Yorkers have a safe holiday.

Culinary experts and co-hosts of the upcoming daytime series "The Kitchen @ Food Network," Sunny Anderson, Katie Lee, Jeff Mauro and Marcela Valladolid log-in to hang out with Alton, Bobby, Giada and Ina post-"Thanksgiving Live!," continuing to dish out holiday food advice in an exclusive Thanksgiving leftover-themed Google+ Hangout Saturday, Nov. 23, at 2 p.m.

Weight Watchers International has unveiled a partnership with ABC'S food and lifestyle show "The Chew" to host the competition, "The Chew Search for the Weight Watchers Chef." The winner will be an enthusiastic culinary professional with a passion for making great tasting food that can support a healthy lifestyle.

HARBORCENTER President John R. Koelmel announced today that Dominic Verni has been named general manager of its restaurant and sports bar.

"Dom brings tremendous experience and notable success in the food and beverage industry to HARBORCENTER," Koelmel said. "We are very excited to have him leading the team that will make our restaurant and sports bar one of downtown Buffalo's most enjoyable and notable entertainment venues."

The yet-to-be-named establishment will be owned and operated by HARBORCENTER.

High oleic soybeans deliver innovation in every pod harvested. It's innovation that provides solutions to some of U.S. soy's biggest customers and helps build demand for U.S. soybean oil. But, these varieties don't stop there - they also perform in farmers' fields.

With only two weeks until the big day, "The Chew" gives viewers everything they need to celebrate Thanksgiving in style.

To celebrate their eatery's second anniversary, The Village Bake Shoppe owners Mike and Lindsay Fiore invite patrons to stop by today for free cookies and hot chocolate. "Customer Appreciation Day" is their way of thanking the community for its support.

Walt is turning over the meat slicer to the Martin family.

Water Street Landing is inviting you over for dinner, drinks and live music. "Jazz at the Landing" takes place tomorrow at 7 p.m.

The biggest names on Food Network take on the biggest food holiday of the year in the two-hour special, "Thanksgiving Live!" Co-hosted by Alton Brown, Giada DeLaurentiis, Bobby Flay and, in her first "Thanksgiving Live!" appearance, Ina Garten, the show will air Saturday, Nov. 23, from noon until 2 pm ET/PT (west coast will be taped).

This Veterans Day, Bob Evans Farms salutes service to country with a hearty plate of hotcakes. The company has announced that veterans and active military personnel will receive free, all-you-can-eat hotcakes at its restaurants on Veterans Day, Monday, Nov. 11. All these honored servicemen and women need do is show a valid military ID.

The Niagara Falls Culinary Institute will hold its annual fall open house Wednesday, Nov. 13, from 6-8pm at 28 Old Falls St., Niagara Falls.

On Sunday, Dec. 1, the Winery at Marjim Manor will celebrate the holidays with "The Lighting of the Manor." Six Christmas trees, various displays and Hanukah menorah will be ablaze. The festivities begin at 1 p.m. at 7171 E. Lake Rd, Appleton.

Admittance will be a new hat, scarf or pair of mittens for the designated tree.

As part of the festivities, Manor wine presenter Kim Seddon will play Christmas carols, and Santa will be available for pictures. Nando's Pizzelles will return with a myriad of flavors. Mulled wine and mulled apple cider and other holiday treats will also be available. There will be hourly wine specials and giftwrapping.

An Election Day ham dinner will be held from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5 at St. John Lutheran Church, corner of Ward Road and Niagara Falls Boulevard.

Dunkin' Donuts, America's "all-day, every-day stop for coffee and baked goods," will offer Western New York residents a reward for good behavior when they show support for the second-oldest humane society in the country.

Casa Antica hosted its annual customer appreciation event Monday, but with a twist. For the first time, the eatery invited guests to dress up in Halloween costumes.

The 2014 event schedule for the Niagara Wine Trail, USA is now posted on the trail's website. Tickets for the 2014 events will be on sale in the coming month.

Bakery owner tosses the flour but keeps the flavor.

Bussanich's gluten-free cupcakes twice bested their floury competition on "Cupcake Wars."

Executive Chef Kate Elliott, fourth from left, and the culinary team from The Conference & Event Center Niagara Falls celebrate their victory at Wednesday's "Healthy Chef Competition," which was sponsored by Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center.

Late last week, Dunkin' Donuts announced the start of the "Cups for Roswell" program and the donation of up to 372,000 cups of coffee to Roswell Park Cancer Institute in an effort to generate $175,000 for the nationally recognized comprehensive cancer center this holiday season.

Dominique Wilkins provided guests at the Niagara Falls Culinary Center with diabetes education and prevention tips.