In early July, the 52-year old Portillo’s Hot Dogs LLC announced that Keith Kinsey had been named the CEO, succeeding Dick Portillo who founded the company. The company also announced it would be opening in Tampa, Florida in 2016, its first East Coast location. Then late in the month, the chain reported that it would be opening at the northwest corner of State Rd. 60 and Lakewood Dr. in the Brandon area of Central Florida in the March. According to the company’s website, the Brandon restaurant will feature a 1930s prohibition theme and will have a double drive-thru lane to accommodate as many cars as possible. Based in Oak Brook, Illinois, Portillo’s operates about 39 corporately owned restaurants in Illinois, Indiana, Arizona and California. In September the chain opens its 40th restaurant in Homewood, Illinois followed in November with a restaurant in Gurnee, Illinois. Portillo’s is best known for its Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, char-grilled burgers, fresh salads and chocolate cake. A year ago, Boston-based private equity firm Berkshire Partners invested in the company. In announcing Kinsey’s appointment, Berkshire Partners’ Mike Miles noted, “Keith has a strong track record growing two of the best fast-casual restaurants in the industry. He is the ideal person to lead the next chapter at Portillo’s. Under his leadership, Portillo’s will be able to expand to more locations across the country.”
CATEGORY: Casual
Chain Name: Portillo’s
Company Name: Portillo’s Hot Dogs LLC
Street Address: 2001 Spring Rd., Oak Brook, Illinois 60523
Tel: 630/851-5151 Fax: 630/851-1240
Email: Website: www.portillos.com
Menu Specialty: Best known for its Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, char-grilled burgers, fresh salads, and famous chocolate cake.
Introduced: Dick Portillo opened The Dog House hot dog stand on North Ave. in Villa Park in metro Chicago in 1963.
No. of Locations: 41 by the end of 2015 in Illinois, Indiana, Arizona and California.
Areas of Operation: National
Types of Location:
BusinessType (corp., franchise, jv): Privately owned
Size Req’d:
Special Requirements (patio, drive-thru, etc):
Contact Name: Dick Portillo - Founder
Keith Kinsey – CEO
Nick Scarpino – Marketing Director
REAL ESTATE REPRESENTATIVES:
FRANCHISE REPRESENTATIVES:
PARENT COMPANY: Portillo’s Hot Dogs LLC & Berkshire Partners
Related Chains: Barnelli’s, Portillo’s Home Kitchen catering
Last Report: Restaurant & QSR Expansion Report #140 Last Update:
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