One of Denver’s most burger-heavy corners is about to trade patties for pita. Fast-casual chain Spitz is headed to the River North Arts District, where franchisee Regina Bryant is taking over the former Park Burger space at 2615 Walnut St. She says construction is about to kick off, with a spring debut in her sights. Bryant is loosely circling the Rockies’ home opener on the calendar, while acknowledging that a late April or May opening is more realistic.
The space and the permit
City records show the project moving ahead as an interior tenant finish rather than a full exterior overhaul, with Arris Architecture listed on the plans. According to Developing Denver, the permit paperwork pegs construction at $85,000 and describes a conversion of the existing restaurant footprint into Spitz’s quick-service layout. Local reporting also notes that the operator is finalizing designs and hunting for a general contractor as crews prep the former burger joint for what is expected to be a mostly cosmetic refresh.
What the franchisee says
In an interview with BusinessDen, Bryant said the building at 2615 Walnut comes in at roughly 2,500 square feet inside, paired with a sizable patio of about 1,700 square feet. She has signed a 10-year lease for the site and told the outlet that the build-out will mostly be cosmetic, since Park Burger only recently exited the space. For first-timers, Bryant suggested starting with Spitz’s street-cart wrap and pita fries. She also cast the RiNo opening as part of a small Colorado rollout following the brand’s first in-state location, which she opened in Longmont in October 2023.
Chain background and menu
Spitz originated in Southern California and now operates across several states. The brand’s site lists Greenwood Village and Longmont as its current Colorado locations, with a RiNo store marked as “coming soon.” The company leans into döner-style proteins, wraps, bowls, salads, and a dedicated vegan lineup, and the Denver page promotes patio seating and a full bar as part of the RiNo package. For menus and Colorado details, check the Denver listing from Spitz.
Budget, pace and what’s next
Bryant told BusinessDen that the RiNo project carries a roughly $500,000 price tag, less than the about $1 million she invested in the Longmont opening. She is also under contract on two additional Denver-area locations. If the RiNo schedule stays on track, the new Spitz will add one more patio-heavy, drink-friendly option to a neighborhood that has been steadily filling in with beer gardens and restaurants over the past year.
For RiNo diners, this is another sign that casual concepts with strong bar programs and big outdoor spaces are the new neighborhood currency. For local landlords, it is further evidence that former independent spots are increasingly being handed to regional and national franchise operators. Expect more precise construction updates and an official opening date to surface in city permit filings and on the Spitz site as work moves along.
