For many people, a Friday night involves dining out for dinner.  Now, many Shreveport residents will have more options than ever.

Several new restaurants will finish construction in the coming weeks and open at the beginning of March.  One is Texadelphia, a national chain out of Austin.  The restaurant will offer philly cheesesteaks with a Texas style twist. 

Texadelphia Owner and General Manager Andrew Wedeberg says his restaurant will offer more job opportunities.

"We are initially going to fill 16 spots, we're hoping to go more," said Wedeberg.

Even more local chains, like Louisiana based Rotolo's pizzeria are coming to the area and offering new jobs.

"We should have 20 or so front of the house, servers, bartenders and another 10 to 15 in the back," said Psalmonds.

This is two of nearly seven new restaurants that have opened in and around the Youree Drive corridor.

National chains like Five Guys and Freebirds opened there doors in the past month.  The new wave of business is sending a boom into the local economy.

"The number of restaurants that are opening right now is a really good indicator that we are finally coming out of a recession that began late in 2007," said David Hoaas, Professor of Economics at Centenary College.

While the restaurants have been going up in similar locations, Hoaas says that isn't uncommon.  He says many restaurants choose to go up in high traffic areas, like Youree Drive to get increased business. 

Hoaas estimates that the influx of restaurants will create close to 200 new entry level jobs.  This number should be increased when Panera Bread opens there doors, sometime in April.