Financing

How Portillo’s finds new markets

On this week’s episode of "A Deeper Dive," Michael Osanloo, CEO of Portillo’s, discusses how the chain finds its way outside of its home territory.


Portillo’s is finding welcoming markets far from its Chicago area home.

This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast "A Deeper Dive" features Portillo’s CEO Michael Osanloo, who talks about how the company has been able to find these new markets and why its unique model works.

Portillo’s operates nearly 60 locations and has the highest volumes in the quick-service chain space, taking in more than $7 million in annual revenue per location. It is highly popular in its hometown of Chicago, but has also thrived outside of it, having expanded to markets as far away as Florida and Arizona.

Osanloo was named CEO of the chain last year. On the podcast, he talks about the chain’s strategy for getting enough employees to staff its extra-large restaurants. He also discusses technology and particularly delivery.

Please have a listen.

Members help make our journalism possible. Become a Restaurant Business member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.

Multimedia

Exclusive Content

Financing

McDonald's is a chicken chain now

The company’s chicken business is “on par” with its beef business as Americans continue to devour more poultry. It plans more chicken products in the coming years.

Food

Beef prices are soaring. It won't get better anytime soon

With beef inflation expected to stick around for the next few years, steakhouses and meat-focused concepts are creating strategies to manage sourcing and the menu. It's all about being flexible.

Financing

Brands shift their attention back to smaller operators

The Bottom Line: While plenty of franchises like Subway still want large-scale franchisees, there is a movement to keep their sizes down.

Trending

More from our partners