Spangles is coming to town.

The Wichita-based restaurant chain – known for it’s made-to-order hamburgers, pitas, pasta salad and shakes in a ’50s-style atmosphere – is moving into the former Runza restaurant at 3420 W. Sixth St., near Sixth Street and Kasold Drive.

Remodeling is expected to begin soon and the store should be ready to open in March, said Dale Steven, co-owner of Spangles Inc., which already has 21 locations in Kansas, including two in Topeka.

The Lawrence restaurant will have 10 full-time employees and another 40 part-timers, Steven said. Applications are being accepted at the Spangles corporate office in Wichita and through www.spanglesinc.com.

Another 50 employees from Topeka and Wichita will relocate to Lawrence temporarily as the opening approaches, occupying hotel rooms to assist in the opening and train new employees.

Spangles is leasing the building from a partnership led by Lawrence developer and property manager Doug Compton.

Steven and his brother and Spangles co-owner, Craig Steven, are considering opening a second Lawrence location later this year, Dale Steven said. The brothers also are shopping for a third Topeka location, likely in the northern area of the city.