NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TX - The City of North Richland Hills has confirmed it is in the final stages of negotiating an agreement with Patriotic Pig BBQ to open a new full-scale restaurant, event center, and catering headquarters in historic Smithfield. City officials say the project is expected to serve as a major catalyst for revitalization in the area.
While the agreement is still being finalized, the City says full details will be released once it is officially executed in the coming months.
Background
Redevelopment of the Main Street and Smithfield area has been a long-standing priority for the City. Earlier this year, Patriotic Pig, a popular NRH-based restaurant and catering company, was being courted by two nearby cities. Recognizing the potential loss and the opportunity for local growth, North Richland Hills officials began discussions about a possible expansion in Smithfield.
The company plans to invest approximately $5 million in the new facility, while the City’s contribution will be the land, valued at $1.4 million. According to projections, the project would reimburse the City’s investment by year six and generate $2.3 million in local tax revenue within its first decade. Those figures do not include potential gains from property value increases or new businesses attracted by the development.
Property Purchase
The 3.52-acre site, located at the northeast corner of Smithfield Road and the Cotton Belt Line, sits adjacent to the Smithfield TEXRail Station. The City purchased the property in June 2021 for $1.35 million as a strategic investment using General Fund reserves. Officials emphasized that the reserves remain strong and above minimum requirements.
Originally used as an outdoor fence storage facility, the land is considered a “land bank”—a strategic acquisition to guide future development, encourage community-desired uses, and create a financial return for the City.
Over the past several years, multiple developers have proposed mixed-use projects for the site, but concerns about density prevented rezoning. Since 2023, the City’s Economic Development Department has shifted focus toward recruiting dining, entertainment, and experiential uses that align with community priorities.
Current Status
The City Council reviewed the proposal in May 2025 during an executive session, which included proprietary business information and potential deal terms. The current proposal would transfer the land to Patriotic Pig under strict performance milestones, with safeguards including a reversion clause and lienholder protections to secure the City’s interests.
City officials say the project reflects the purpose of economic development incentives—to retain and grow local businesses, attract investment, create jobs, and reduce reliance on residential property taxes.
If approved, the Patriotic Pig expansion would mark a major step forward in transforming Smithfield into a regional destination for dining and community activity.
