Portillo's to close up to 9 ‘underperforming' restaurants, company announces

Chicago Restaurants Portillo's to close up to 9 ‘underperforming' restaurants, company announces In addition to the closures, the iconic suburban-based restaurant said it was opening its new Chicago location on Michigan Avenue by the end of the year. By NBC Chicago Staff • Published November 9, 2026 • Updated on November 9, 2026 at 11:03 am Iconic Chicago hot dog and Italian beef chain Portillo's will close a "select group of underperforming locations," the company announced during a third-quarter earnings call Thursday. The update came as the company said its results were "ahead" of expectations. Stream NBC 5 for free, 24/7, wherever you are. WATCH HERE “Our strategy is centered on running great restaurants, leveraging integrated marketing and pursuing disciplined development, all underpinned by a financial framework that guides decisions, strengthens accountability and positions Portillo’s for long-term success," Portillo's CEO Brett Patterson said in a news release . Portillo's said it made the decision after evaluating the sales performance of each of its restaurants. All of the locations targeted for closure are outside the Chicago area, the company said. A "mid-to-high single-digit-number" of restaurants are expected to close, officials said, the majority of which would shutter by the end of 2026. chicago news Jun 29 Portillo's introduces new hot dog Food & Drink Jun 7 New Portillo's location planned for Michigan Avenue, and it comes with a twist chicago food Oct 6 Portillo's unveiled its newest limited-time cake shake flavor, dessert items Further details weren't provided. "You look at Chicagoland, your frequency is going to be higher because you have one every couple of miles," Patterson said during the call. "And so what we learned was, yes, we love Portillo's just as much as somebody in Chicago, but destination, it's much harder." At the same time, Portillo's opened seven new restaurants outside the Chicago market in 2026, all in Texas. The chain also said its forthcoming Michigan Avenue restaurant , described as a "second-in-line location," is expected to open by the end of the year. The updates come after Portillo's in August announced major cuts at the company's Oak Brook corporate headquarters . According to the company it cut 18% of its corporate and field management staff, affecting 140 employees. This article tagged under: Chicago Restaurants