P.F. Chang’s China Bistro will welcome Gainesville residents with an orange-and-blue mural of an alligator.
The Asian-themed restaurant will open 5 p.m. on Monday in the Butler Town Center, at 3597 SW 32nd Court, said Mary Reichardt, the corporate director of marketing at Butler Enterprises.
Along with P.F. Chang’s, six more restaurants and retail spaces are also projected to open by the end of the year, Reichardt said. New spots include Irish 31, an Irish pub, and stores like The Village Jeweler, Hearth & Heart, Noire Nail Bar, European Wax Center and Pink Narcissus.
P.F. Chang’s design is unique to other locations.
“It’s the first and last of its kind,” Reichardt said.
It will employ more than than 160 people and will serve menu items like hand-rolled dumplings and sushi, Reichardt said.
The restaurant will give 10 percent of its opening day earnings to the Ronald McDonald House Gainesville, which provides housing for families seeking medical treatment for children, said Sherry Houston, the charity’s executive director.
Additionally, chefs from the restaurant will come and cook for the children staying in the house, Houston said. Food from the restaurant will be donated throughout the year.
To advertise the new restaurant, Butler Enterprises will give away three $75 P.F. Chang’s gift cards on its Facebook page.
Reichardt expects a successful grand opening when considering the popularity of past events for other new stores. About 2,000 people waited in line to get into Whole Foods when it opened in May.
“We know Gainesville is ready for some of these stores,” Reichardt said. “We are constantly watching our social media accounts and listening to feedback from the community about what they are looking for.”
Katherine Hume, a 30-year-old Gainesville resident, said she is anxious to try P.F. Chang’s for the first time. She plans to go when it opens.
“I am excited to try their food, as I’ve heard great things about them,” Hume said. “I think it will be very successful in Gainesville because we could benefit from having more Asian cuisine options.”
Contact McKenna Beery at mbeery@alligator.org and follow her on Twitter at @mckennabeery.
P.F. Chang’s China Bistro will open 5 p.m. on Monday in the Butler Town Center, at 3597 SW 32nd Court. The restaurant will give 10 percent of its opening day earnings to Gainesville's Ronald McDonald House and give food to the charity.
