10 businesses expanding in the Kansas City area

Kansas City is a prime destination for an array of retailers and businesses seeking to capitalize on the area’s growth and economic vitality.

Planned openings include expansions from regional restaurant chains like Iowa-based 30hop and Urban Egg, which is looking to open in multiple locations across the metro. In the Northland, Zona Rosa is attracting family-oriented businesses, while an Olathe shopping center is undergoing a $26.4 million revitalization to welcome new tenants like an indoor pickleball facility.

Popular travel centers like Maverik and longstanding brands such as Aldi are further contributing to the region’s retail diversity. This surge underscores Kansas City’s appeal as a dynamic market for both local and national expansion strategies.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

Slim Chickens is planning several more restaurants in the Kansas City area.

NO. 1: CHICKEN CHAIN PLANS TO OPEN 6 MORE KANSAS CITY AREA LOCATIONS, 14 MORE IN KS AND MO

This restaurant chain sells chicken strips, fried okra and other Southern comfort food. | Published January 17, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

Zona Rosa shopping center will welcome four kid-friendly businesses in 2024. By KES Studio

NO. 2: FOUR NEW SHOPS ARE COMING TO ZONA ROSA IN KANSAS CITY, ALL WITH ONE THING IN COMMON

Here’s what these four new Kansas City shops will specialize in and when they’ll open. | Published March 28, 2024 | Read Full Story by David Hudnall

The new Aldi State College on Banner Pike on Wednesday, March 23, 2022. By Abby Drey

NO. 3: ALDI LOOKING TO OPEN ANOTHER JOHNSON COUNTY GROCERY STORE IN THIS FORMER RETAIL SPACE

This supermarket could take the place of a store that closed last year. | Published April 1, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

Merriam Grand Station, a $137 million mixed-use project, is taking shape on the 12.75 acre site of the former Kmart store at Shawnee Mission Parkway and Antioch Road in Merriam. By Tammy Ljungblad

NO. 4: ‘ENERGETIC’ BAR & GRILL COMING TO JOHNSON COUNTY DEVELOPMENT. BUT FIRST: LEE’S SUMMIT

A partner said the restaurant “embraces food from scratch … large patios, and genuine hospitality.” | Published April 25, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

A Utah-based travel center is looking to open a pit stop in Edgerton, according to the economic development agency for the city.

NO. 5: ANOTHER POPULAR TRAVEL CENTER IS HEADED TO THE KC AREA — THIS TIME IN JOHNSON COUNTY

The outdoors-themed gas station chain has locations in Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada and soon, Kansas. | Published May 8, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

A new pickleball facility, gym and hardware store will replace a crumbling shopping strip in Olathe.

NO. 6: INDOOR PICKLEBALL FACILITY, MORE TO REPLACE CRUMBLING JOHNSON COUNTY SHOPPING CENTER

“It’s like a tennis club,” the developer said. “So it’s gonna be an amazing amenity to y’all’s community.” | Published September 25, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

Hyper Energy Bar has several locations in Iowa. Soon, it’ll be coming to KC.

NO. 7: THIS ENERGY DRINK DRIVE-THRU CHAIN IS COMING TO KC MARKET, STARTING WITH JOHNSON COUNTY

The owners said the concept will “grow quickly in the metro.” | Published October 23, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

30hop sells burgers, poke bowls, salads and other menu items. By Jenna Thompson

NO. 8: BAR AND GRILL SERVING BURGERS AND BREWS OPENS IN THE KC AREA. SOON: JOHNSON COUNTY

“Kansas City was a market on our radar for a long time,” one of the owners said. | Published January 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

The Denver hot chicken eggs benedict has lightly fried chicken, roasted chili buffalo sauce, buttermilk biscuit, ranch, hollandaise sauce, bleu cheese, celery and carrots.

NO. 9: BREAKFAST CHAIN WITH KC TIES EYES AGGRESSIVE EXPANSION IN METRO: JOHNSON COUNTY, MORE

The founder used the lessons he learned while working at Houston’s in KC to open his chain. | Published February 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.