Wendy’s seeks fall opening at Portland site

Source: Portland Review & Observer
PORTLAND - Portland diners will soon have another option when it comes to satisfying their hunger.

The Meritage Hospitality Group has put plans into action to build a Wendy’s Restaurant at 9736 E. Grand River Ave., which is across from the American Legion Hall and Shaheen Ford Mercury, just south of interstate 96. The group is looking forward to beginning construction on the restaurant and serving diners in the Portland community.

“We are very excited about opening a restaurant in Portland,” said Robert Potts of The Meritage Hospitality Group, which owns several Wendy’s restaurants in Michigan. “Portland is a great community and is experiencing some growth in the area. Plus, it is a great location right near the freeway and other businesses.”

Before Meritage can begin construction on the new restaurant, the group has to wait for a lot split to be granted by the Portland Planning Commission. Currently, the property for the proposed restaurant is under the ownership of Meijer. Meritage has petitioned the planning commission to split the lot into two parcels in order that they may begin construction.

“Meijer purchased the property originally and currently has ownership of the entire site,” said Potts. “The original plan was that Meijer was going to build a gas station and a convenience store and we would have a Wendy’s inside the building, which is something that we have done in four other places in Michigan. However, Meijer has decided to put its plans on hold, but we still want to go on with our plan. So we are hoping to buy a piece of the property from Meijer and then construct a free-standing restaurant on that site.”

Once all of the site plans for the new restaurant are approved, it would not take long to go from breaking ground to the grand opening.

“If we get all of the plans and so forth approved, we are hoping to begin construction in mid-May,” said Potts. “And if we get good weather and everything goes well, we can complete construction within 75 to 90 days after we begin. So we would be looking at opening the restaurant by the fall.”

Potts said the new restaurant could employ as many as 40 people depending on the number of shifts used on the site.
Source: Portland Review & Observer