El Chico to Reopen in Wichita Falls in January 2027
New owners are remodeling the former location to support a switch to wood-burning cooking equipment.
Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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El Chico is set to return to its original Wichita Falls site at Kemp and Southwest Parkway. The restaurant is scheduled to reopen on January 5, 2027, following a facility remodel by new property owners.
Why it matters
The revival of an established location demonstrates the continued appeal of legacy footprints in competitive dining markets. Operators looking to leverage existing infrastructure may find value in assessing site viability before lease turnover or permanent vacancy.
The restaurant is slated for a January 5, 2027 reopening at its former site in Wichita Falls. The project involves a complete remodel of the Kemp and Southwest Parkway property.
The players
Donnie and Kelli Long
The property owners managing the acquisition and renovation of the Wichita Falls restaurant site.
El Chico
A restaurant brand returning to a previously occupied location.
The details
New owners Donnie and Kelli Long are shifting the kitchen's operational infrastructure by installing wood-burning cooking equipment to replace the former gas setup. This transition necessitates an extensive remodel of the existing building to support new thermal and ventilation requirements. Alongside the physical upgrades, the establishment is refreshing its product offering with new menu items designed to update the brand for the local market.
Timeline
Remodeling work is scheduled to begin in November 2026.
The restaurant is targeted to open on January 5, 2027.
Market Landscape
This project follows the pattern set by the 2017 revitalization of the Wichita Falls downtown district by prioritizing the adaptive reuse of high-visibility commercial real estate. Such investments often hinge on a site's established brand recognition to mitigate the risks associated with new market entry.
Operators considering site acquisitions should evaluate the long-term utility of existing utility hookups compared to the costs of installing alternative cooking infrastructure like wood-burning systems. The facility remodel process serves as a reminder to account for potential permitting delays when scheduling reopening dates.
The takeaway
The return of a legacy brand to a known location highlights the competitive advantage of high-traffic real estate in established corridors. Owners should monitor the performance of this site after the January 5, 2027 opening to determine if the switch to wood-burning cooking provides a measurable draw for local diners.
Further reading
For more on industry shifts in the region, visit Wichita Falls Openings & Closings.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Texomashomepage.com - KFDX, KJTL.
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