Pei Wei is gearing up to take flight at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). According to a recently filed permit, Pei Wei is expected to open 8407 North Terminal Road, Terminal B, Space 21A.
The permit further states that construction on the Pan-Asian fast-casual spot just kicked off and is slated to wrap up towards the end of August. If all goes well with permitting and the $800,000 construction project, the new Pei Wei at the Houston airport should open this summer or early fall.
Paul Fleming and Rick Federico founded the brand in Scottsdale, Arizona, in 2000. Originally crafted as a fast-casual spin-off of P.F. Chang’s, it was designed to serve authentic, Pan-Asian dishes quickly and affordably while bridging the gap between high-quality, sit-down dining and convenient takeout.
The brand has had a few hand changes. In 2012, Pei Wei was acquired, along with P.F. Chang’s, by Centerbridge Partners for $1.1 billion. In 2019, Lorimar Brands, the parent company of the Leeann Chin restaurant chain, bought the company.
There are now more than 200 Pei Wei locations across 21 states in the United States. The highest concentration goes to Arizona, Florida, and yours truly: Texas. There are currently nearly 50 locations in Texas, with about ten in the Greater Houston metropolitan area.
Linda Nelson is the Chief Operating Officer for the brand. What Now Houston reached out to Nelson and Cramer James of LaTrelle’s Management Corporation. James was listed on the permit and has been tasked with opening a few eateries at IAH. Unfortunately, we did not hear back from either Nelson or James by the time this publication was issued.
Pei Wei is anticipated to open inside IAH at 8407 North Terminal Road, Terminal B, Space 21A, by this summer or early fall.
