Tucanos Brazilian Grill, a popular churrascaria destination for many Utah County residents, announced Tuesday it will open a new location at University Place in Orem.

Construction is expected to commence later this fall, with the opening slated for some time in 2017.

Founder Steve Oldham and co-founder Joe Heeb opened the first Tucanos Brazilian Grill in 2000 at the Shops at Riverwoods in Provo, and have since opened nine more locations throughout the United States, including a location in The Gateway in Salt Lake City. In a phone interview Tuesday, Oldham said the Riverwoods lease will be up next year, and they are looking at options for the Provo location.

“We have a loyal following in the valley. Ultimately, Utah County will support two locations, but what that is remains to be seen,” Oldham said.

Long wait times at the Provo location have become the norm. According to a company release, Tucanos’ new 7,500-square-foot Orem location will still feature the parade of freshly grilled skewers of meat and the restaurant’s Salad Festival. It will also include two private dining areas, a 1,000-square-foot covered patio, an indoor/outdoor fireplace and an outside fountain. The expanded location will allow Tucanos to accommodate more than 300 guests at one time.

“We are looking forward to the opportunity to grow within University Place,” Oldham said. “Utah is where we started, and we are excited to bring the fun and festivity of Rio de Janeiro to Orem.

“The new location at University Place will allow us greater seating capacity and an ability to provide even better service for our Utah County guests in an updated and vibrant atmosphere.”

The new Tucanos will be located at the southwest corner of University Place, in the bottom of the newly finished office building.

“Tucanos is the exact type of restaurant we were hoping to attract to University Place,” said Randy Woodbury, president of Woodbury Corporation, in a press release. “We believe our current and future office partners, residential partners and shoppers will enjoy having such a popular restaurant within walking distance.”

University Place, owned and developed by Woodbury Corporation, is a $500 million renovation project taking place over the next several years that is centered around what was formerly known as University Mall. The mixed-use project will offer shopping, office space, residential living space, an indoor and outdoor children’s play area, and outdoor green space.