Portillo’s, a Chicago-based chain with more than 95 locations across 10 states, touched down at the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in late May, bringing a tech-forward approach to its airport debut.
The restaurant aims to lure in travelers from Terminal B, offering a variety of ordering touchpoints—walk-up ordering, self-order kiosks, order-ahead pickup and a grab-and-go, along with seating for more than 50 guests.
For Portillo’s, the airport restaurant builds on lessons learned from several smaller-format locations opened in recent years.
“We currently operate a few smaller-footprint locations,” company representatives wrote in an email to Food On Demand. We opened our first Portillo’s Pick-Up location in early 2022, which had no dining room and was under 4,000 square feet – much smaller than our typical restaurant, and have opened more in the Chicagoland area over the past few years. We also opened our first smaller-footprint inline location in Middleton, FL, and recently announced that we’re opening another in Chicago on Michigan Ave.,”
Travelers at the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport have several ordering options at the new Portillo’s restaurant in Terminal B, including self-order kiosks and a selection of grab-and-go offerings.
Those smaller-format locations provided a blueprint for adapting the brand to an airport environment.
“We were able to take the learnings from these locations to the airport, keeping efficiency and convenience in mind, by offering a small 50-seat, dine-in format with comfortable seating option for guests who have time before their flights. What remains essential regardless of size or format is that Portillo’s brand storytelling remains strong. Portillo’s is recognized for its vibrant and nostalgic décor and great service, and we want every guest to experience that,” the company wrote in an email to Food On Demand.
Travelers will have several ways to order and receive their meals once the restaurant opens.
“The DFW location features the same guest-facing technology we have in our traditional restaurants, including kiosks and order-ahead options. We want our guests to use our brand in a way that works for them, whether they’re grabbing a quick bite during a short layover or enjoying a full meal in our seated area. Our systems are designed to empower our teams to serve guests,” the company wrote.
The restaurant serves menu items including Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, char-grilled burgers and the chain’s chocolate cake.
Portillo’s joins a growing number of restaurant brands expanding into airport dining as operators look for new ways to reach consumers beyond traditional restaurant locations.
