[ALERT] Portillo's to Open in Kennesaw November 18

The wait is nearly over!  Portillo's (NASDAQ: PTLO) confirmed October 30 that their new Kennesaw restaurant will open Tuesday, November 18!  The new restaurant - at 790 Cobb Place Blvd NW - marks the first in the state and 100th location overall for the Chicago-based chain.

The official ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at 9:30 am, followed by the restaurant’s grand opening at 10:00 am.  The event will include appearances by Portillo’s VP of Restaurant Support, Michael Portillo, and a special check presentation to charity partner Cobb Schools Foundation as part of Portillo’s ongoing commitment to supporting the communities it serves. Attendees will be able to enjoy giveaways and entertainment throughout the ceremony, featuring a prize wheel and scratch-off raffle with the chance of winning free Portillo's for a year! 

The approximately 6,250 square-foot Portillo’s restaurant will feature the brand’s “Restaurant of the Future” design, including a dining room with seating for more than 125 guests, as well as an outdoor patio with room for about 40 additional guests.  The iconic Chicago brand is perhaps most well-known for its famous hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, and chocolate cake, but the restaurant also offers salads, burgers, pasta, fries, and more.

Between now and the opening in Kennesaw, the brand will open two other restaurants: One in Chandler, Arizona that will be similar to the Kennesaw unit and another in Plainfield, Illinois on the site of a former PNC Bank branch that will be a pick-up only location.  

ToNeTo Atlanta exclusively reported on the chain's initial Atlanta area site in Kennesaw this past December.  We have reported on two additional units the company has planned for metro Atlanta including those in Cumming near the Collection at Forsyth and Buford near the Mall of Georgia.  Another location is being pitched along Ashford Dunwoody Road across from Perimeter Mall in Dunwoody.  

Some industry insiders have questioned whether previously announced growth will proceed as planned in light of recent departures from the company's C-Suite.  Portillo’s CEO Michael Osanloo stepped down from his role in September after seven years with the company later naming Michael Miles, chairman of the board at Portillo’s, as interim-CEO.  The company announced October 29 the departure of chief development officer Michael Ellis effective October 31.  Ellis joined Portillo’s in August 2022. 

Are you excited for the opening of Portillo's in Kennesaw?  Do you plan to visit Day 1?  Where else in metro Atlanta would you like to see Portillo's open?

Please share your thoughts below.