Springfield site sought for Macaroni Grill

Springfield-based Swisshelm Group, which operates several Burger King restaurants locally and McAlister’s Deli in Florida, is searching for a site to build the approximately 7,000-square-foot casual Italian restaurant, according to Swisshelm Group Director of Operations Bruce Swisshelm Jr.

Plans are to open later this year.

The restaurant will be the first of three Macaroni Grill locations in the works for Swisshelm Group, which has not previously dabbled in full-service restaurants. The group has an agreement with Macaroni Grill’s parent company, Dallas-based Brinker Internationl Inc., to open a second and third location in Branson and Arkansas, respectively, by 2010. Specifics of those restaurants have not been determined, Swisshelm said.