Construction crews work on the a facility to be the home to two national chain restaurants: Texas Roadhouse and Panera Bread. Both restaurants are currently slated for an October opening. (Journal photo by Randy Crouch)

MARQUETTE — Construction is underway in Marquette Township for two new restaurants along U.S. 41 that are part of national chains, Texas Roadhouse and Panera Bread, aiming to open this fall.

The 8,000-square-foot project is currently in the leveling stage of construction next to the Fraco Flooring Showroom and Gordon Food Services.

Approval for the project came in April 2022 after the Marquette Township Planning Commission unanimously approved the project.

“People think of downtown as the place where all the mom-and-pop shops are and the township as where all of the national chains are,” said Marquette Township Zoning and Planning Administrator Jason McCarthy. “But we need both kinds of businesses.”

Both Texas Roadhouse and Panera Bread are currently hiring, which McCarthy says is a good thing for the area.

“This is a great project that widens the tax base and creates jobs.” he said.

Texas Roadhouse is a Kentucky-based steakhouse chain with more than 600 locations around the United States. The restaurant specializes in Texan and Southwestern foods, with the closest location near Green Bay.

Panera Bread is a nearly $6 billion company that has more than 2,000 locations throughout the United States and Canada. The restaurant features sandwiches, pizza and coffee, among other items.

Both restaurants are currently slated to open in October.