AUSTINTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – The first Wahlburgers in the Mahoning Valley will open at 11 a.m. this Friday.

It will be inside Hollywood Gaming in Austintown. Wahlburgers replaces the open space in the food court, right next to the gaming floor. It’s the first change to the food offerings in eight years.

Wahlburgers Favorites is a smaller version of its restaurant menu, with the most popular items.

“Wahlburgers is a great brand, great food, and the sportsbook is coming not too long either,” said Kevin Brogan, director of marketing for Hollywood Gaming of Mahoning Valley. “So we’re really just wanting to have a few extra amenities, but we think is going to be a new clientele come to 2023.”

Wahlburgers held its soft opening on Wednesday, and Jean Poulos of Boardman said she was a fan.

“I was excited. It’s a new name to me. I’ve never heard of Wahlburgers before, and the food was excellent,” Poulos said.

It will be open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays.

The Sky Box on the second floor is being transformed into the new sports betting location, which will open Jan. 1. It will blend in with the race book so bettors can watch sports and horse racing at the same time.

“You’ll be able to bet sports. You’ll be able to watch races, but it’ll be a whole new audio-video experience, you haven’t seen on this property before,” Brogan said.