Construction is underway for an expansion of Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria in Tinley Park that will create indoor dining space, a bar and private event room, according to the company.
Malnati’s, 9501 W. 171st St., in the Park Hills shopping center, is currently 2,000 square feet and offers carryout, delivery and catering, according to the company. It opened in March 2009.
Expanding into vacant space directly to the west, the restaurant will grow to 6,000 square feet and also will offer seasonal outdoor dining, the company said.
Construction should be completed in November, and the expansion isn’t expected to impact current operations, the Northbrook-based company said.
“We do not anticipate any special closures or inconveniences for our customers as we develop the adjacent space,” Marc Malnati, owner of Lou Malnati’s, said in a news release.
Marc Malnati is the eldest son of Lou Malnati, who opened his first pizzeria in 1971 in Lincolnwood. Currently, the company has 52 locations in the Chicago area, including, locally, in Flossmoor, Homer Glen, New Lenox, Oak Lawn and Palos Heights.
Currently, the closest company location to Tinley Park with on-premises dining is in Naperville, according to the company.
The decision to expand was due in part to customer demand for on-site dining, and the availability of space immediately next door helped make the plans a reality, according to Meggie Lindberg, marketing and public relations manager for the company.
Including outdoors, the expanded restaurant will have seating for 200 customers, she said.
