Global Brazilian steakhouse to open first Ohio restaurant in former O’Charley’s

David Rees
·2 min read

Watch a previous NBC4 report on O’Charley’s Ohio closures in the video player above.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A former O’Charley’s in north Columbus will undergo a $1.5 million renovation to become the first Ohio restaurant for a Brazilian steakhouse with locations across the globe, including in Dubai, Toronto and Istanbul.

Named Fogo de Chão, the international chain will open at 1425 Polaris Parkway, according to a permit under review by the city of Columbus. The location will add to the steakhouse’s rolodex of nearly 100 restaurants in Canada, Brazil, Mexico, the Middle East, the U.S. and more.

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The inside of the free-standing building once home to an O’Charley’s that shuttered several years ago “will be completely refinished with new equipment and finishes,” while the outside “will be refaced to reflect the new brand,” the permit states.

<em>The building once home to an O’Charley’s that shuttered several years ago “will be completely refinished with new equipment and finishes.” (Delaware County Auditor’s Office) </em>
The building once home to an O’Charley’s that shuttered several years ago “will be completely refinished with new equipment and finishes.” (Delaware County Auditor’s Office)

Fogo de Chão’s menu features 11 steak cuts, a selection of fire-roasted chicken, lamb and pork options, along with classic seafood dishes with a Brazilian twist. Recipes inspired by Brazilian markets, a number of side dishes and desserts round out the offerings.

The former O’Charley’s is one of nearly two dozen locations that have closed in recent years, including six Ohio restaurants that shuttered last year. The Nashville-based chain closed two eateries, its Westerville-area restaurant at 285 Cleveland Ave. and its Grove City location at 1657 Stringtown Road, in November.

The closures came after O’Charley’s Morse Road and Georgesville Square locations shuttered in August, along with the Miller Lane and Miamisburg Centerville Road restaurants in Dayton.

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“Like many brands in the casual dining space, we have faced unprecedented disruptions to our business over the last few years,” said W. Craig Barber, O’Charley’s CEO, in a statement. “It is always a difficult decision to close a store, but the decision aligns with a variety of actions to ensure we continue to thrive as a brand.”

The brand now only operates two restaurants in central Ohio, one at 6224 Gender Road in Canal Winchester and another at 2272 Baltimore Reynoldsburg Road in Reynoldsburg.

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