Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A Inc. says that barring delays, it anticipates its Queen’s Harbour Yacht & Country Club area restaurant will be closed in late 2023 or early 2024, demolished and rebuilt in 2024, “and will include changes to better and more efficiently serve our customers.”
It said in a statement Dec. 8 that Melinda Sowers will remain the restaurant’s operator and owner.
“We are working with the City of Jacksonville to approve plans and hope to continue making improvements to other Chick-fil-A restaurants in the area,” the company said by email.
Chick-fil-A wants to demolish and rebuild the almost 23-year-old restaurant at 13375 Atlantic Blvd., near Hodges Boulevard. The restaurant is at northeast Atlantic Boulevard and Joeandy Road.
Chick-fil-A built it in 2000.
The chicken sandwich and tenders chain says on a site plan the project is part of its property reinvestment program to improve customer service and restaurant operations.
“Property improvements will include demolition of existing building and associated parking areas and the construction of a new Chick-fil-A restaurant with dual drive-thru, parking lot and infrastructure support,” says the plan filed with JEA, the city’s utility, in a request for service availability.
The existing site of 1.17 acres along with additional property will create a 1.23-acre site.
CPH LLC is the civil engineer.
The application says Chick-fil-A will demolish the existing 4,268-square-foot building and build a 5,772-square-foot restaurant with 118 seats.
Joandy L.C., a Jacksonville investment partnership, bought the property for $970,000 in 1998 from Queen’s Harbour Yacht & Country Club Ltd. and leased the land in 1999 to Chick-fil-A, property records show.
Chick-fil-A is renovating existing stores, often increasing drive-thru capacity, and building new restaurants throughout the area.
It has at least 23 locations in Northeast Florida, including licensed locations at the University of North Florida, Jacksonville University and Flagler College.
Chick-fil-A operates more than 2,700 restaurants in 47 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and Canada.
The family-owned and privately held restaurant company, founded in 1967, is closed on Sunday.
It franchises the locations.