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Portillo's

Operations

Portillo's is still learning what not to do from Texas

 By Lisa Jennings on Feb. 24, 2026

The fast-casual chain's fourth-quarter same-store sales dropped 3.3%, largely on transaction declines. After opening too many units too fast in the Lone Star state, the brand is enacting a new game plan.

Leadership

Portillo's names Brett Patterson as new CEO

 By Joe Guszkowski on Feb. 11, 2026

Patterson, a full-service dining veteran, replaces interim chief Michael Miles at the fast-casual hot dog chain that is going through a reset.

Technology

See what's on restaurants' tech wish list this year

By Joe Guszkowski on Dec. 22, 2025

Tech Check: Operators are hoping for help with customer data, order accuracy and more, and there’s strong demand for AI-powered tools.

Leadership

Portillo's Restaurant of the Future just didn't come soon enough

By Lisa Jennings on Sep. 24, 2025

The fast-casual chain's CEO stepped down this week amid disappointing results. Would things be different if Portillo's had brought buildout costs down faster?

Leadership

Michael Osanloo ousted as Portillo's president, CEO

By Lisa Jennings on Sep. 22, 2025

Board chair Michael Miles Jr., who was named interim CEO, said the chain's recent performance has not measured up to expectations.

Financing

Portillo's finds expansion tougher than it seems

By Jonathan Maze on Sep. 12, 2025

The Bottom Line: The fast-casual Italian beef chain has long been something of an oddball with a broad menu and big restaurants. Now its sales are slowing and its expansion strategy is in question.

Operations

Portillo's is slowing its growth and killing its breakfast test

By Lisa Jennings on Sep. 10, 2025

The fast-casual Italian beef chain lowered its expectations for the third quarter, sending its shares down more than 7%. The company plans to simplify operations and highlight value.

Leadership

Former Darden CEO Gene Lee joins Portillo's board

By Lisa Jennings on Jun. 16, 2025

The appointment was supported by activist investor Engaged Capital LLC, which has been seeking board changes at fast-casual Portillo's for months. Lee brings deep industry experience.

Marketing

From Portillo’s to indies, restaurant chains serve up divine marketing to cash in on Chicago-born pope

By Heather Lalley on May 10, 2025

Marketing Bites: With the memes flowing like holy water, restaurants specializing in Italian Beef, pizza and more craft some real-time marketing miracles.

Leadership

Portillo's reaches cooperation agreement with activist investor

By Lisa Jennings on Apr. 29, 2025

Engaged Capital had nominated Charlie Morrison to Portillo's board, but Morrison took a gig as CEO of Jersey Mike's. Now the fast-casual Portillo's plans to work with the investor to find an alternative.

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