Gyro Republic, the halal gyro chain that got its start in Sugar Land, is planning its eighth Houston-area location at SSS Eldridge Marketplace, 13421 Westheimer Road, Suite A. The project carries an estimated construction cost of $275,000, and WhatNow's permit-based estimate puts a possible opening in spring 2027, assuming permitting and construction stay on schedule.
According to WhatNow, the reported permit schedule has construction starting toward the end of January 2027 and wrapping up by the end of April 2027. WhatNow presents a conditional spring 2027 opening estimate based on permit information; it depends on permitting going smoothly and construction staying on track.
The new spot would specialize in the brand's customizable, New York City-style halal gyros alongside rice bowls, pitas and salads, the same report states. Per the same account, Gyro Republic currently operates seven locations and one ghost kitchen across Greater Houston, meaning the Eldridge Marketplace build-out would mark its eighth storefront in the region.
Who's Behind the Expansion
WhatNow identifies Rehan Ranpuri as Gyro Republic's founder, and the outlet says it reached out to him for details about the opening and the company's broader expansion plans but had not received a response by publication time. The chain's own website, as cited in the report, describes every bowl, pita, salad and gyrito as crafted with 100% halal proteins, fresh ingredients and house-made sauces.
Ranpuri's path to building the brand traces back to Sugar Land, where the Houston Chronicle reported he opened the first Gyro Republic location in 2019 after traveling to New York City to study with halal and street-food cart chefs. That same coverage noted the franchise faced early setbacks from the Covid-19 pandemic before building out further locations in Richmond, Sugar Land and Sharpstown by mid-2024.
A Chain That Keeps Growing
Back in June 2024, the Chronicle reported Gyro Republic was gearing up to open its first Missouri City storefront, its fourth Houston-area shop at the time, with plans to add six more storefronts before the year's end. By the spring of 2025, Community Impact reported a location open off Stuebner Airline Road, describing a menu of customizable rice bowls, salads, pita sandwiches, loaded fries and gyritos — gyro burritos — built around proteins like chicken or falafel, vegetable toppings, sauces and vegan or vegetarian options.
The Eldridge Marketplace project also follows a much larger expansion push beyond Houston. In 2026, Gyro Republic signed three development agreements covering nine new Texas locations — five in Austin, three in San Antonio and one in Dallas — according to RestaurantNews.com. That announcement coincided with a brand refresh covering updated visual identity, messaging and menu innovation, the trade outlet reported.
For now, the Eldridge Marketplace project remains in the planning and permitting stage, with its Westheimer Road storefront representing one more link in a chain that has grown steadily since its 2019 debut. Whether the spring 2027 estimate holds will depend on how smoothly that construction timeline plays out over the coming months.
