Fogo de Chão to open at Crabtree Valley Mall in Raleigh

Crabtree Valley Mall is adding another sit-down restaurant draw, and this one carries the weight of a national brand. Fogo de Chão has signed a lease for a Raleigh location in the mall, with the Brazilian steakhouse expected to open by the end of 2026 in the space once occupied by Uncle Julio’s, which closed in 2024.

The Raleigh restaurant would be Fogo de Chão’s third North Carolina location, following planned openings in Charlotte and Durham. The company said the Crabtree deal is part of its 2026 growth strategy, which calls for 14 to 16 new domestic and international openings this year. Founded in Brazil more than 46 years ago, the chain has built its reputation on a full-service steakhouse format aimed at special-occasion diners.

For Crabtree, the move fits a larger business-redevelopment push that goes well beyond adding another place to eat. Macerich describes the center as a market-dominant Class A mall in Raleigh with more than 200 tenants, about 1.3 million square feet, roughly 8.7 million annual visitors and about $429 million in annual sales. Macerich bought the mall for $290 million, underscoring the property’s value in a retail corridor that still has pulling power.

The dining addition also lands alongside other changes meant to keep Crabtree relevant as shopping habits shift. Macerich is bringing back Toys R’ Us, and Level99 is set to open in 2027 in about 40,000 square feet of the former Belk Men’s space, with more than 50 interactive games. That mix of restaurant, retail and entertainment is designed to give shoppers reasons to stay longer and return more often.

Barry McGowan, Fogo de Chão’s chief executive, said North Carolina is an important milestone for the company and that Raleigh’s growth and Crabtree’s role as a leading shopping and dining destination made it a strong fit. The mall itself has been part of Raleigh’s retail landscape since it opened on August 2, 1972, and the latest round of leasing suggests Crabtree is trying to write its next chapter as more than a shopping center.