Primanti Brothers Closes Boardman, Ohio Location After 10 Years

The Pittsburgh-based sandwich chain has shuttered several locations in recent months amid operational changes.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Primanti Brothers, the iconic Pittsburgh-based restaurant chain known for its sandwiches topped with coleslaw and french fries, has closed its location in Boardman, Ohio after a 10-year run. The closure is part of a broader contraction for the company, which has shut down seven locations over the past year and rescinded plans to open a new restaurant in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Why it matters

Primanti Brothers' exit from the Boardman market reflects broader challenges facing the restaurant industry, including the need to adapt operations to changing consumer demands. The closure also highlights the competitive nature of the Ohio market, where the chain has struggled to gain a strong foothold beyond its lone remaining location in the Eastwood Mall complex in Niles.

The details

The Boardman location, which opened in September 2015, marked Primanti Brothers' initial foray into the Ohio market. Over the past year, the company has closed seven locations, including sites in Camp Hill and Lancaster, Pennsylvania, as well as Hanover, Pennsylvania and Morgantown, West Virginia. Primanti Brothers also decommitted from plans to open a restaurant in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The company cited the need to 'maneuver operations to best address demand' as the reason for the closures.

  • Primanti Brothers opened its Boardman, Ohio location in September 2015.
  • The Boardman location closed on Monday, February 24, 2026.
  • Over the past year, Primanti Brothers has closed seven locations across Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
  • Last month, Primanti Brothers' parent company, Authentic Restaurant Brands, reported having $4 billion in assets.

The players

Primanti Brothers

A Pittsburgh-based restaurant chain known for its sandwiches topped with coleslaw and french fries. Primanti Brothers operated a location in Boardman, Ohio for 10 years before closing it in 2026.

Authentic Restaurant Brands

The principal investment firm that owns Primanti Brothers. Authentic Restaurant Brands reported having $4 billion in assets last month.

Gerald Pulsinelli

The CEO of Primanti Brothers.

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What they’re saying

“This is not a decision we take lightly.”

— Ryan Wilkinson, Vice President, Primanti Brothers (Primanti Brothers news release)

“The iconic sandwiches we've been serving for almost a century remain unchanged.”

— Ryan Wilkinson, Vice President, Primanti Brothers (Primanti Brothers news release)

“One winter someone drove up with a load of potatoes. He brought them over to the restaurant to see if they were frozen. I fried the potatoes on our grill, and they looked pretty good. A few customers asked for them — so I tossed them on the sandwich.”

— John DiPriter, Primanti's nephew (Primanti Brothers website)

What’s next

Primanti Brothers has not announced any specific plans for the future of its remaining locations in Ohio and other states.

The takeaway

Primanti Brothers' closure of its Boardman, Ohio location after a decade of operation reflects the broader challenges facing the restaurant industry, including the need to adapt operations to changing consumer demands. The company's decision to shutter several locations in recent months suggests it is maneuvering to address these challenges and focus on its core markets.