Restaurant chain touts healthy meals, targets Cranberry for 1st Pittsburgh-area location

A Texas-based restaurant chain, Jason's Deli, is planning to open its first location next year in the Pittsburgh region in the Cranberry Mall and employ about 80 full- and part-time workers.

The restaurant touts its healthy meals, including organic and gluten-free options, as well as its Reuben the Great and New Orleans Muffaletta sandwiches.

The opening is scheduled for April, although the date could be pushed back if construction doesn't begin until after winter. If that happens, the restaurant might not open until June or July.

It will occupy about 5,000 square feet with a 900-square-foot patio.

When the proposal goes before the township Planning Advisory Committee it will have the support of the municipal staff, said Ron Henshaw, Cranberry director of community development. Approval will be sought at the supervisors meeting on Oct. 29, and at a second meeting Nov. 6.

Jason's Deli has no immediate plans to expand in the region, although the company is researching its options in Western Pennsylvania and other markets, spokesman Madison Boozer said. Founded in Beaumont, Texas, in 1976, Jason's Deli is a family-owned business started by Joe Tortorice Jr.

Boozer said the company became the first major restaurant chain to remove artificial trans-fats in 2005.

Sam Spatter is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-320-7843 or sspatter@tribweb.com.

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Restaurant chain touts healthy meals, targets Cranberry for 1st Pittsburgh-area location