SYCAMORE – Texas Roadhouse plans to open a restaurant by spring in the former Johnny’s Charhouse location at 1950 DeKalb Ave. in Sycamore, officials said Monday.

The Louisville, Ky.-based steakhouse chain has more than 400 locations in 48 states, with 12 Illinois locations, including Rockford, Naperville and Joliet.

The restaurant chain specializes in steaks, ribs, side dishes and fresh-baked bread.

“We are excited to bring our hand-cut steaks and legendary fall-off-the bone ribs to Sycamore,” Texas Roadhouse spokesman Travis Doster said in a news release. “We think the city is a great fit for Texas Roadhouse, and we look forward to serving the community.”

The property owner, John Pappas, said restaurant plans include gutting the building’s interior and employing 150 people, half of them full-time. The building’s design, which makes it easy to convert, plus its 160-space parking lot and location attracted Texas Roadhouse officials, Pappas said.

“Within six or seven miles, they have the whole entire county,” Pappas said of the building’s central location.

The former tenant was also a steakhouse. Johnny’s Charhouse closed in mid-May, but city officials maintained it would not be long until another tenant was found.

“We were disappointed when the space was recently vacated, but are even more excited with [Monday’s] announcement,” Sycamore City Manager Brian Gregory said.

The location is in the heart of the commercial corridor between Sycamore and DeKalb, and Gregory expects it will fill the same niche Johnny’s Charhouse served.

“It only strengthens the local economy when people stay in town and those sales tax dollars stay in town,” Gregory said.

For more information about the restaurant and employment opportunities, visit www.texasroadhouse.com.