In addition to the upcoming Portillo's in Kennesaw, ToNeTo Atlanta has learned that the Chicagoland restaurant known for its beef sandwiches, hot dogs, and shakes, is planning at least two more units in the greater metro Atlanta area in the near term.
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| A new Portillo's in Orlando - Official |
ToNeTo Atlanta was first in December to confirm the location of the first Portillo's in metro Atlanta - the former On The Border off Barrett Parkway in Kennesaw - a location that Portillo's itself still describes inaccurately on its website as being IN Town Center at Cobb.
Some might hope that a Portillo's could come to the now shuttered On The Border at Buckhead Station in Buckhead but its location within the existing shopping center and the near impossibility of being granted an all-important drive-thru would seem to make that unlikely.
Portillo's, which as of March 30th operated 94 restaurants, indicated May 6 in its first quarter financial results release, that it plans to enter the "Atlanta, Georgia market in the second half of 2025." The company also revealed that its Average Unit Volume (AUV) for the year ended March 30 was $8.7 million.
Neither Portillo's nor its local real estate team has responded to our requests for comment, but sources familiar with the chain's plans tell ToNeTo Atlanta that another Portillo's is happening south of Atlanta. (more on that soon)
The company indicated in late 2023 that it was increasing its growth projections from 600 to 920 units: 800 full-size restaurants and 120 pickup units, walk-up stores for urban areas, and other "alternative restaurant formats," such as locations on college campuses.
Portillo's is the latest in a string of regional and cult-favorite chain restaurants to announce or open in Georgia. Whataburger entered the Atlanta market in November 2022, followed by Shipley Do-Nuts in March 2023 and Tim Hortons in Columbus in June 2023 (and metro Atlanta last January). Torchy's Tacos opened their first Atlanta area location this past August, with Dutch Bros. Coffee expected to make their metro Atlanta debut later this year.
Are In-N-Out and Potbelly close behind?
Have you been to Portillo's? What is your favorite Portillo's menu item? Where else in metro Atlanta would you like to see Portillo's open?
Please share your thoughts below.
13 comments:
Kennesaw and "south of Atlanta" do not please me. Come replace any fried chicken finger place in Tucker or Decatur. How about the old McDonalds near Northlake?
Portillo's Italian Beef are awesome! Tried them in Chicago years ago, and have been pleasantly surprised to find them in Florida as well as in California. As to In-n-Out, I wouldn't hold my breath. They are planning for a regional HQ in Nashville, with a related location some time in 2026, so I am sure it will be years before we see them in the Peach State.
Do we really need any wiener places? It won’t last more than a few months.
the old McD's by Northlake saddens me. The bankification of that corridor continues with the former Kacey's, and I'm guessing (no inside intel) the McD's will be conquered by the banks too. Monterrey is somehow keeping up the good fight.
I would love a Portillos in the Augusta area. We need something different.
They won’t come inside the perimeter due to the clientele. Nowwatimsayin.
Nowwatimsayin? Is that another restaurant chain?
Portillos is AMAZING!!
Buckhead Station would be great.
New fast food joints do not excite me. And to "Nowwhatimsain", I do know what you're saying, but the real reason they don't come ITP is taxes and rent. What you speak of is a distant 3rd. They want to make money, they don't give a damn about anything else.
Nowwatimsayin: take your casual racism elsewhere. ITP is why OTP exists.
Italian Beef with sweet peppers……dipped mmmmmmm I can’t wait!
Still waiting for Jack in the box
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