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Portillo’s opens ‘Restaurant of Future’ in Grapevine, TexasPortillo’s opens ‘Restaurant of Future’ in Grapevine, Texas

New format is the quick-service brand’s 7th debut in the DFW market

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

December 5, 2024

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Portillo's Grapevine TX exterior sign

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Ron Ruggless

Portillo’s Inc. opened its first “Restaurant of the Future” in Grapevine, Texas, on Thursday, debuting its seventh location in the Dallas-Fort Worth market, the company said.

The Oak Brook, Ill.-based quick-service brand, known for its menu of Chicago-style street food, featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony that included Mike Roman, Portillo’s vice president of operations.

In a shopping area that includes Velvet Taco and Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, Portillo’s opened the 6,250 square-foot restaurant that features a garage theme.

The smaller-footprint build offers seating for about 125 guests inside and seats for about 40 guests on a seasonal outdoor patio, as well as Portillo’s Pick Up shelves, Grab and Go area, and double drive-thru lane to accommodate off-premises customers.

Portillo’s, founded in 1963, has 90 restaurants across 10 states.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected]

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About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

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