Portillo's to open newest restaurant in Harwood Heights

Oak Brook-based Portillo's founder Dick Portillo will be on hand when the company's newest restaurant opens Tuesday at 7308 W. Lawrence Ave. in Harwood Heights.

"The entire Portillo's team is excited to start off 2017 with our first opening of the year, and our 47th store," said Portillo's CEO Keith Kinsey. "The village and Mayor (Arlene) Jezierny have been very supportive of our restaurant, and we look forward to becoming a part of Harwood Heights community."

The popular restaurant is continuing its expansion across the country. Portillo's is expected to open in April in Champaign, near the University of Illinois; Normal, Illinois; and Minnesota this summer.

Future expansion will focus on downstate Illinois, Indianapolis, Florida and Wisconsin, the company has said.

In 2014, founder and longtime CEO Portillo sold the restaurant chain to Berkshire Partners, a Boston-based private equity firm, to help grow the company with outside financing.

Kinsey, former president of Noodles & Co., took over as CEO of Portillo's about 17 months ago. Berkshire Partners brought on Kinsey at the time to help grow the chain.

The new Harwood Heights location features Portillo's classic menu items, including Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, chargrilled burgers, salads and chocolate cake.

The 10,000-square-foot restaurant can seat about 200 guests, with two drive-through lanes and a seasonal outdoor patio that can accommodate an additional 60 guests. Like its other restaurants, the newest location features 1950s-1960s diner theme memorabilia.