Take a sneak peek inside PROTEINHOUSE, opening in downtown Worcester on Monday with menu for the health-conscious

By Melissa Hanson | mhanson@masslive.com

Downtown Worcester will have a new restaurant Monday when PROTEINHOUSE opens at the 145 Front development.

This will be the second Massachusetts location for the small national chain. About a year ago, local franchise owner Viktor Ryan opened the first Massachusetts location at the Apex Center in Marlborough.

The restaurant connects to the adjacent Fidelity Bank branch, allowing guests to grab lunch and bank at the same time.

PROTEINHOUSE was founded in 2012 with the fitness community in mind. The restaurant’s menu offers healthy options, including dishes that cater to those who are gluten-free, vegan or on the keto diet.

The restaurant is popular among bodybuilders as well as people looking for healthier options.

See inside Marlborough’s Protein House, a fitness-focused restaurant with plans to expand in Massachusetts

At the first Massachusetts franchise, located in Marlborough, there are about 150 regulars who stop in for breakfast, lunch or dinner five days a week, according to franchise partner and owner Viktor Ryan.

The CitySquare development, the site of the former Worcester Galleria, includes 365 luxury apartments, a boutique hotel, a public parking garage, and other storefronts, including an Elizabeth Grady salon.

PROTEINHOUSE was slated to open months earlier but was postponed because of delays with the CitySquare development.

The chain has locations in the country, including several in Arizona as well as in McAllen, Texas; Kansas City, Missouri; Aurora, Colorado; Brea, California; and Las Vegas.

The Worcester location opens Monday at 145 Front St. Hours are Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.