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- Link: https://www.timprobst.com/2026/02/24/31135/
- Published: 2026-02-24T21:26:36-06:00
- Author: Tim Probst

Portillo’s is delicious wherever it might be. There’s no reason Portillo’s should
slow down their expansion plans. Here’s the key – go to where the Chicagoans go.

Start with expanding to college campuses. Tons of kids from Chicago go to Big Ten
universities. Put a Portillo’s in every Big Ten city from coast to coast. An Italian
beef after a night at the bars would have been delicious!

A lot of those Chicago kids go back to Chicago for work, but a lot of them end up
in cities like Denver, San Diego, Indianapolis, Kansas City, etc.

Again, follow the Chicagoans. Land and expand!

[Portillo’s slowing national expansion plans amid weaker sales – Chicago Sun-Times](https://chicago.suntimes.com/money/2026/02/24/portillos-slowing-national-expansion-weaker-sales)