City of Irving Thriving with Announcement of Restaurant Headquarters

IRVING (WBAP/KLIF) – Texas Governor Greg Abbott has announced that Pei Wei is moving its global headquarters to Irving from Arizona.

The company founded by P.F. Chang’s has more than 200 locations and 6,000 employees around the world, including 65 restaurants in Texas. The Irving project involves a capital investment of more than $1.5 million and the creation of at least 100 jobs.

“We are very excited to relocate to the Dallas-Fort Worth area, which is home to our most loyal guests and highest-performing restaurants,” said John J. Hedrick, Chief Executive Officer with Pei Wei. “We didn’t make this decision lightly. Scottsdale is an extraordinary city that has been our hometown since the brand’s inception in 2000. But our near leadership team felt that the timing was right to make this move, as we chart a new direction for the brand, its operations and our corporate culture.”

Governor Abbott says this is the fifth relocation secured with the help of the Texas Enterprise Fund.

“The Texas model of limited government, reduced regulations and low taxes continues to create a diverse economy that attracts business from a variety of industries,” said Governor Abbott. “Pei Wei is a welcome addition to the Lone Star State and I am confident that our robust economy and superior workforce will fuel their continued success and growth.”

The Pei Wei announcement comes amid the news that the City of Irving has issued more than $1.1 billion in construction permitting this fiscal year, topping last year’s record by 34 percent.

“Investors are pouring into Irving, and the projects they are building range from new hotels to corporate office parks, restaurants to new single family homes,” said Irving City Manager Chris Hillman. “Irving is truly a city on the rise.”

Pioneer Natural Resources is this year’s largest investor at $213 million for its new corporate office park. That project is currently under construction on Verizon’s $1.5 billion Hidden Ridge development.

The Westin Hotel at the Irving Convention Center ranked second at $82 million. The upscale hotel will serve the Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas and the massive $180 million Irving Music Factory, Irving’s new entertainment district. The Pavilion, the development’s 8,000-seat concert hall, will be surrounded by more than 20 restaurant and retail facilities, which are slated to open during the fall and winter.

The city plans to add nearly 700 single-family homes to satisfy demand this year, with indications a strong housing trend will continue next year.