With Shake Shack maybe coming to Indy, here's a look back at what other franchises Hoosiers wanted
A 2015 Facebook poll revealed five franchises Hoosiers wanted. Four years later, many of those dreams have come true.
Maybe we Hoosiers don't know how good we have it: Just four years ago, an IndyStar Facebook poll found that Ikea, In-N-Out, Portillo's, Whataburger and Shake Shack were the franchises they most wanted to see set up shop in the Indianapolis area.
Now there's an Ikea in Fishers and a Portillo's in Fishers and on the south side. And maybe, just maybe, Shake Shack is on its way, too.
In-N-Out and Whataburger still have yet to venture into America's crossroads.
Maybe they'll show up, too, but in the meantime it may be time to review the honorable mention list and decide what other chains we want to come to the neighborhood.
The following story was originally published Aug. 7, 2015.
Transplants to Indianapolis have experienced it at least once. You’re craving something from home. You type the name into a search field — or look it up in the phone book, if you’re really old school — and that dream-destroyer of a phrase pops up: No results in your area.
Your heart sinks. How will you possibly cope without it?
And how is it even possible that Indianapolis doesn’t have that?
What “that” is depends largely on what part of the U.S. you come from. Or maybe you’re a lifelong Hoosier who has a hankering for that place your cousin Calvin in California keeps raving about?
Whatever it might be, we were curious to find out. So we asked. We invited you through our IndyStar Facebook page to let us know what particular franchise you’d most like to see come to town.
Out of 1,199 responses, we narrowed it down to a top five — hint, you’re really into Swedish furniture and burger joints — and then tried our best to find out just when, if ever, your wish might come true. And, no, this isn’t going to end well for some of you. OK, maybe any of you.
But here goes:
Ikea
(688 votes)
What it is: Swedish furniture store, famous for affordable furniture that comes with indecipherable instructions (not that we’re still bitter about that crib we assembled). Also meatballs.
The closest one was in: Suburban Cincinnati or suburban Chicago. OK, Chicago we get, but Cincinnati? That hurts.
Why we wanted them: “Oh my goodness, I love Ikea, put me down for Ikea!” said Jaquanda Eskew, an Indy resident originally from Gary, Indiana.
In-N-Out
(240 votes)
What it is: A California-based fast-food favorite selling burgers, fries, and shakes. (And, yes, cousin Calvin, we know this is blasphemous but think Five Guys without the peanuts.)
The closest one is in: The Dallas/Fort Worth area. Anyone feel like taking a quick 13-hour drive?
Why we want them: “I love that everything is so fresh and made to order,” said Sarah Conrad, an Indy resident who was born and raised in California, who loves the secret menu. (Pssst. Want that animal style?) “It’s an overall good atmosphere that can appeal to all ages! It would be a great place to have in Indy!”
When are they coming to Indy? Sorry, but in 2015 In-N-Out reps told us the company practice of keeping food fresh means they can only expand as far as a one-day drive from their distribution facilities. If they do decide to come, it would be a long, slow process.
Portillo’s
(148 votes)
What it is: Chicago-based chain selling Italian beef, Chicago dogs and cake shakes.
The closest one was in: Merrillville, Indiana.
Why we wanted them: Michael Oliver, a Chicago native and student at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, said he craves Portillo’s like no other. “Their ribs are to die for and they have a huge variety of food,” he said. “It would definitely fill a niche in the city.”
Whataburger
(75 votes)
What it is: Texas-based burger joint, also known as “water-burger.” (Don’t tell anyone, but the burgers aren’t even the best thing on their menu. That honor goes to the addictive honey butter chicken biscuits.)
The closest one is in: Looks like it’s about seven hours away in Trussville, Alabama. That said, if you find yourself just about anywhere in the South or Southwest, there’s likely going to be a Whataburger near by.
Why we want them: “Oh my god, I love Whataburger!” said Stephanie Rendon, an Indy native. “We went to Gulf Shores, Alabama, a few years ago and we hit Whataburger and it was fantastic.”
When are they coming to Indy? Uncertain, but it doesn’t look good. Whataburger did not respond to our 2015 query. But Chapman, the food industry analyst, wasn’t optimistic. “There’s a lot of competition for hamburger chains, so it makes sense to grow closer to home. Jumping over to Indianapolis would be a pretty big leap. According to our database 80 percent of their stores are in Texas, and there are plenty of markets they could fill in before they go that far north.”
Shake Shack
(48 votes)
What it is: Trendy New York burger joint, known for burgers and shakes. (Not surprisingly, it draws comparisons to, you guessed it, Five Guys and In-N-Out.)
The closest one is in: Chicago. (They’re like that big brother that always gets the good stuff first.)
Why we want them: Just take a look at reactions to news they may be coming.
When are they coming to Indy? Maybe soon. Shake Shack appears to be looking for cooks, managers and cashiers in Indianapolis. But it isn't confirmed: Officials at the restaurant's headquarters didn't immediately respond to questions from IndyStar.
So, there you have it. Who needs all these chains, anyway? We can always eat our feelings over an order of shrimp cocktail at St. Elmo’s or a pork tenderloin sandwich at Edward’s Drive In, washed down with a Mug n Bun homemade root beer.
Take that, Chicago.
Top 10 honorable mentions
- Tim Horton’s
- Zara
- Coney Island
- La Rosa’s
- Bojangles
- Souplantation/Sweet Tomatoes
- Del Taco
- Fuddrucker’s
- Jamba Juice
- Pret A Manger
Follow former IndyStar reporter Gabby Ferreira on Twitter: @Its_GabbyF.
Call IndyStar digital producer Ethan May at 317-444-4682 or email him at emay@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @EthanMayJ.