New Restaurants Opening Soon

BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse
Spring Township
Projected Opening: Fall 2027

BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, a national chain with more than 200 locations, is set to be one of the anchors of the new Broadcast District at Spring Township. The mixed use development, which will be on Broadcasting Road opposite Broadcasting Square (Target) should see its first tenants in the Fall of 2027. BJ’s has locations in Lancaster and Allentown.

Cafe Folino
Temple
Projected Opening: 2026

Cafe Folino is expanding to a second location in 2026. The announcement was made on the cafe’s social channels on December 8. On December 30, it was revealed that the new location would be the former Oliver’s Place at 1007 Mount Laurel Road in Temple. The exact opening date is still unknown at this time.

Cocina Salazar
Reading
Projected Opening: Unknown

Cocina Salazar is set for a return in 2026. The restaurant, which was located at 440 Lehigh Street, closed in 2023. However, a December Instagram post touted the restaurant’s return in 2026, though further details are not known.

Drunken Chicken
West Reading
Projected Opening: Summer 2026

With Takkii Ramen becoming West Brew Izakaya and moving to Penn Avenue, it left their original location vacant. But the corner of Sixth and Reading Avenues in West Reading will not be vacant long. Drunken Chicken, a Korean fried chicken spot, is set to open in the space. The new restaurant is tentatively scheduled to debut in the summer and will be by the owners of West Brew Izakaya, Winnie Tea Bar, and Winnie Mochi.

First Watch
Spring Township
Projected Opening: Fall 2027

A location for First Watch, a brunch restaurant chain, is slated to be part of the upcoming Broadcast District at Spring Township. The mixed use development, which will be on Broadcasting Road opposite Broadcasting Square (Target) should see its first tenants in the Fall of 2027. The nearest locations currently are Audubon, Hershey, and King of Prussia.

KanPai Sushi
Muhlenberg
Projected Opening: Unknown

A “coming soon” sign is up at 3407 N. 5th Street Highway in Muhlenberg Township, the future home of KanPai Sushi. The restaurant will be next to the Advance Auto Parts in the Muhlenberg Square Shopping Center. The restaurant will offer an all-you-can-eat, according to their new sign, but an opening date is still unknown at this point.

KPOT Korean BBQ and Hot Pot
Wyomissing
Projected Opening: In Doubt

KPOT, a chain of Korean BBQ restaurants, announced a new location coming to the Berkshire Mall; however, the project was stalled at least in part by the parking lot issues at the shopping center. With the announced sale and planned closure of the mall in early 2026, it seems unlikely that the restaurant will find a home in Berks County, though it is still listed as “coming soon” on the KPOT website.

Mochipop
Wyomissing
Projected Opening: In Question

Originally scheduled to open in the Berkshire Mall, Mochipop debuted on Instagram on September 4 advertising mochi ice cream, milkshakes, and more. However, with the recent announcement about the sale and redevelopment of the Mall, the original “coming soon” post and the address have been deleted, though the account remains. We are watching to see if the business moves forward with a new location.

Papi’s Fried Chicken
Reading
Projected Opening: January 17

Papi’s Fried Chicken will open a new location soon in the Lancaster Avenue Plaza shopping center in Reading (home of Ideal Food Basket), this according to the restaurant’s social media. The new location at 733 Lancaster Avenue is having a soft opening but will have its grand opening on January 17. Papi’s currently has a location in downtown at 538 Franklin Street.

Peach Cobbler Factory
Sinking Spring
Projected Opening: Early 2026

A new dessert spot is coming in Sinking Spring. The Peach Cobbler Factory lists a new Reading location as “coming soon” on their website, which Instagram and Facebook pages have been set up under the name Peach Cobbler Factory Sinking Spring. The menu includes cobblers, cookies, shakes, brownies, and cinnamon rolls. No location or opening date has been announced.

Play it Back Sports Bar
Reading
Projected Opening: Unknown

The former California Bar & Grill is currently under renovation. Previously, there was a planned sports bar called Play it Back that was looking to open in 2022, but that had seemingly fell through. However, a new sign has been installed and the electronic message board is operational. So far, there has been no official update.

The Post
Bernville
Projected Opening: Unknown

Renovations are back under way at the former Hitching Post 2747 Bernville Road (Route 183). The owners of Reverb have been planning a new bar and restaurant for the site but renovations were delayed because of zoning variances. The project has been restarted and Goodfellas Granite has posted about their work in the space, but no updates have come from the owners and no opening date has been announced.

Ruby’s Restaurant
Muhlenberg Township
Projected Opening: In Question

A coming soon sign is up on the former Wegman’s Reeser Restaurant on Route 61. The name on the sign advertises Ruby’s Restaurant. However, work appears to have stopped, and the building is for sale. It’s unclear what that means for the planned restaurant.

Shake Shack
Spring Township
Projected Opening: Fall 2027

Berks County is getting a Shake Shack in 2027. The burger and shake chain will be part of the new Broadcast District at Spring Township. The mixed use development, which will be on Broadcasting Road opposite Broadcasting Square (Target) should see its first tenants in the Fall of 2027. Shake Shack has nearby locations in Lancaster, Whitehall, and King of Prussia.

Special Blends Cafe by JPII
Reading
Projected Opening: June 2026

The John Paul II Center for Special Learning is partnering with Alvernia University to bring a new cafe to downtown Reading. Special Blends Cafe will provide work experience for students and adults with special needs when it opens at the University’s American House on Penn Street. The target opening date is June 2026.

Valley Bar & Grill
Sinking Spring
Projected Opening: January 2026

It was announced at the end of October that the Valley Bar & Grill is coming to the former Bar-B-Q Pit in Sinking Spring. The restaurant is from the team behind Giuliana’s on Fritztown Road. Their Facebook announcement lists January as the opening with additional announcements and menu reveal to come.

Velvet Restaurant
Laureldale
Projected Opening: Unknown

The former Margherita Restaurant in Laureldale closed in October. A month later, the property was sold to Velvet Property, LLC, with the liquor license transferring to Velvet Restaurant, a business that was registered in the spring. No other information is available at this time.