WORCESTER, MA — Five new food spots could be coming to Worcester following approvals from the city's licensing commission.
The Coop, Not Ya Mamas Vegan Cafe, Maaz's Chicken, Pida Pizzeria and Tropical Chicken Flavors all received unanimous approval for a Common Victualler license at the Worcester License Commission meeting Thursday morning.
Gary and Lisa Young plan to bring Not Ya Mamas Vegan Cafe back to Worcester with a location inside Worcester Public Market at 160 Green St.
The restaurant began as a pop-up in 2021 before opening at 6 Waldo St. in Worcester. The owners relocated it to Salem in March 2025, according to the City of Salem.
The Youngs told the commission the new Worcester location will serve plant-based comfort food, noting it would be "vegan food that doesn't taste like plants."
Some menu items include vegan steak-and-cheese sandwiches and Italian subs, business owners told the commission.
It plans to open Wednesday through Sunday, with closing times ranging from 8 to 9 p.m.
The Coop will open at 275 Park Ave., a small takeout-oriented restaurant space most recently associated with The Shack, an Indian restaurant.
The new Worcester restaurant will become The Coop's third location. Owners Angelo and Angela Tsetsos opened the first location in Millbury in 2017 and expanded to Westborough in 2022, Patch previously reported.
The Worcester location will focus on takeout and delivery, serving wings, sandwiches, barbecue and waffle fries. The Tsetsos told the commission there will be no dine-in seating at the eatery.
Its proposed hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 11 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Thursday through Saturday.
A family-run chicken chain plans to open its doors on Main Street.
Representatives for Maaz's Chicken went before the commission to request a Common Victualler license at 910 Main St.
The eatery will serve fried chicken, fries, burgers and sandwiches. The chain's website lists existing locations in Boston, Providence, Central Falls and Franklin, New Hampshire.
The Worcester eatery plans to operate daily from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Pida's Pizzeria plans to take over 121 Millbury St., most recently home to Family Ties Pizzeria.
Family Ties followed Millbury Street Pizzeria, which operated at the address for decades. The business's new owners told the commission that the new venture is a change in ownership at a location that has housed a pizzeria for about 35 to 40 years.
Patch has reached out to Family Ties Pizzeria for more information on its change of ownership.
Meanwhile, Pida's Pizzeria's menu will include pizza, subs, wraps and platters. The restaurant will primarily serve takeout customers, though seating will be available without table service.
It plans to operate from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and close on Mondays.
Lastly, Tropical Chicken Flavors plans to open at 229 Canterbury St. The business's owner told the commission it will focus mainly on chicken dishes, including chicken salad and chicken with rice prepared with tropical flavors.
The space previously housed a Puerto Rican Spot named El Rincon Criollo. The eatery was listed as closed in June 2026.
Now, Tropical Chicken Flavors plans to operate daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Opening dates for the five businesses have not yet been announced.
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