COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A Brazilian steakhouse with locations worldwide has set the launch date for the brand's first Ohio restaurant, opening inside a former Columbus O'Charley's that underwent extensive renovations. Named Fogo de Chão, the international chain will begin welcoming customers o n March 31 to the new restaurant at 1425 Polaris Parkway. The 7,245-square-foot location will add to the steakhouse's rolodex of nearly 100 restaurants in Canada, Brazil, Mexico, the Middle East, the U.S. and more. Revived Big Lots stores to reopen this spring; HomeBuys to acquire central Ohio shop "Columbus has a vibrant and diverse culinary landscape, making it an ideal destination for our continued growth," said Barry McGowan, Fogo's CEO. "Our mission is to deliver an unforgettable dining experience -- where premium ingredients, bold flavors, and the genuine warmth of Brazilian hospitality come together to create something truly special." As part of their introduction to the community, Fogo said it will donate 10% of its first week of sales to the Mid-Ohio Food Collective, the largest food bank in Ohio. A permit application filed in March revealed Fogo was eyeing an expansion into central Ohio, and detailed plans to spend $1.5 million to renovate the shuttered O'Charley's. A permit application filed with the city of Columbus last March had revealed that Fogo was eyeing an expansion into central Ohio, and detailed plans to spend $1.5 million to renovate the O'Charley's that shuttered several years ago. Fogo then officially announced the new location last August by signing a lease agreement and said it was "excited to share our authentic culinary experience from Brazil with the Columbus community." Now, the Polaris building features an expansive dining room centered around an open churrasco grill for a 360-degree view of the chef's butchering, hand carving and grilling meat over an open flame, the restaurant said. A "market table" will anchor the restaurant with seasonal salads, cured meats, antipasti and more. Panda Express eyes central Ohio fast-food sites for new locations Fogo's menu features 11 steak cuts, a selection of fire-roasted chicken, lamb and pork options, along with classic seafood dishes with a Brazilian twist. Recipes inspired by Brazilian markets, a number of side dishes and desserts round out the offerings. The menu features 11 steak cuts, a selection of fire-roasted chicken, lamb and pork options, along with classic seafood dishes with a Brazilian twist. (Courtesy Photo/Fogo de Chão) The Polaris location will feature an expansive dining room centered around an open churrasco grill. (Courtesy Photo/Fogo de Chão) The former O'Charley's is one of six Ohio locations that shuttered in 2023, among nearly two dozen of the brand's restaurants that have closed in recent years. The Nashville-based chain permanently closed its Westerville-area restaurant at 285 Cleveland Ave. in November that year. A Grove City O'Charley's at 1657 Stringtown Road reopened this month as the newest Logan's Roadhouse location, after the chain purchased the property last year for $2.6 million. The new restaurant marks Logan's Columbus return, after the chain's Easton location at 3969 Morse Crossing and Dublin restaurant at 7100 Sawmill Road both closed around 2016 when the previous owner filed for bankruptcy. J. Gumbo’s last central Ohio location closes after 13 years O'Charley's central Ohio closures continued after the brand's Morse Road and Georgesville Square locations shuttered last August, along with the Miller Lane and Miamisburg Centerville Road restaurants in Dayton. ...read more read less