CEDAR FALLS -- College Square mall, which last week brought in Brandon native and Cedar Falls resident Jeremy Larsen as its new general manager, announced Tuesday it is getting a new restaurant.

Barrington, Ill.-based GK Development Inc., the mall's owner, has signed a deal with Old Chicago Pizza and Pasta, a Willmar, Minn.-based chain with restaurants in 24 states, including five in Iowa.

The restaurant chain, known for its made-from-scratch pizza and its Old Chicago World Beer Tour, with 35 beers on tap, will locate in 7,819-square-feet in the north wing of the shopping center, in the old Texas Roadhouse site, Larsen said.

Texas Roadhouse moved from the space to a stand-alone building in nearby Black Hawk Village in the summer of 2007.

"We're pleased to bring Old Chicago Pizza to the Cedar Falls community. Having a moderately priced, family friendly restaurant within the mall enhances the shopping experience at College Square and fulfills our goal of offering patrons an exciting mix of retail and entertainment options," said Garo Kholamian, president of GK Development.

Construction of the restaurant is under way. The restaurant is scheduled to open in the spring, GK officials said.

"The shopping center's recent renovation is a great setting for Old Chicago Pizza and Pasta," said Joe Cody, chief executive officer of Old Chicago Pizza.

In November 2006, College Square, which opened in 1969, completed a $20.5 million renovation that included the expansion and relocation of Hy-Vee, an expanded 12-screen theater, new lighting and flooring, seating areas, a refurbished waterfall, renovated rest rooms and a new family rest room.

The restaurant, which will be adorned with logos, team jerseys and other sports memorabilia of area sports teams, will have a seating capacity of 260.

A separate bar area will offer 20 high-definition televisions, with another 10 TVs located in the restaurant section. The restaurant will offer year-round sports viewing, including the NFL Sunday Ticket.

The Old Chicago menu will feature the chain's lineup of pastas, thin-crust or stuffed pizzas, calzones, and Stromboli's. The menu also features chicken, shrimp, hamburgers, salads, desserts, a pizza bar and buffet.

The chain has other Iowa locations in Ames, Ankeny, and Des Moines.

Contact Jim Offner at (319) 291-1598 or jim.offner@wcfcourier.com.