News Summary
Speculation is growing in Kentwood, Michigan, about the opening of a Portillo’s restaurant at Woodland Mall. Discussion among residents has taken place online, while the mall plans to add two new fast-casual dining options. Planning documents reveal plans for a restaurant specializing in Italian beef, hot dogs, and more, similar to Portillo’s menu. Although officials have not confirmed the brand, the potential location could enhance the dining options in the region, aligning with the chain’s recent trend of developing smaller locations.
Kentwood, Michigan – The Kentwood Planning Commission’s recent meeting has sparked speculation regarding the potential opening of a Portillo’s restaurant in West Michigan, specifically at the Woodland Mall. Discussions among residents on the Grand Rapids subreddit have fueled rumors that the popular fast-casual dining chain, known for its Italian beef, hot dogs, and burgers, may be setting up shop in the area.
Despite efforts by various sources to confirm the rumors with city officials, developers, and representatives from Portillo’s corporate offices, no official confirmations have been reported. The uncertainty has only heightened public interest and curiosity surrounding the potential new location.
Planning documents indicate that Woodland Mall is set to add two new “fast casual restaurants” to its parking lot. The owners of Woodland Mall, PREIT, along with the engineering firm Spalding DeDecker, submitted a special land use and site plan review for a drive-through restaurant on August 26. These proposed locations are referred to as “Building 1” and “Building 2.”
Details about the two buildings have emerged, with Building 2 focusing on burgers and shakes, which has drawn less excitement from the public. In contrast, Building 1 is described as a fast casual restaurant specializing in Italian beef, hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken, sandwiches, ribs, pizza, and salad, resembling Portillo’s extensive menu.
The proposed design for Building 1 aligns closely with typical Portillo’s layouts as evidenced by previous blueprints, including a double-lane drive-through. Operating hours are suggested from 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Sunday, with extended hours from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The drive-through is projected to create around 15 to 16 job positions for staff members per shift.
Building 1 is planned to be approximately 5,000 square feet, which is smaller than the standard Portillo’s locations that generally range from 10,000 to 11,000 square feet. However, the company’s CEO indicated in a conference held in December 2023 that they are now developing smaller models, referred to as “Kitchen 23” and “Restaurant of the Future,” which typically span 5,500 to 6,000 square feet, aimed at boosting operational efficiency. Therefore, the dimensions of Building 1 could be consistent with the development trend Portillo’s has been adopting recently.
Blueprints for the proposed Building 1 show that it can accommodate drive-through production lines of both 47 feet and 65 feet, which aligns with Portillo’s operational standards that are seen at its existing restaurants. Notably, Portillo’s also introduced their first pickup-only location in Joliet, Illinois in 2022, which measured 3,750 square feet, further illustrating their flexibility in size to suit market needs.
As of now, the names of the exact businesses planned for the Woodland Mall remain undisclosed. Although the city of Kentwood’s Community Development Director stated there is an ongoing review of a restaurant proposal, the property owner has not revealed the name associated with that proposal. The public meeting to discuss Building 1 has been postponed to the Kentwood Planning Commission meeting scheduled for September 23.
The potential for a Portillo’s in Kentwood could be strategically advantageous given Grand Rapids’ proximity to Chicago, potentially categorizing it as an adjacent market for the company’s expansion efforts. Currently, Michigan is home to two Portillo’s locations in Livonia and Sterling Heights, indicating the brand’s growing presence in the state. As discussions continue and plans evolve, local residents remain hopeful for the arrival of the beloved dining option.
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Additional Resources
- WZZM 13 News
- Wikipedia: Portillo’s
- MLive News
- Google Search: Fast Casual Restaurant Trends
- Crain’s Detroit Business
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Fast Casual Dining
- Grand Rapids Business Journal
- Google News: Kentwood Planning Commission
Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
