Georgia-based Parker’s Kitchen, which confirmed in November 2024 it will open at least four gas station and convenience stores in Northeast Florida by the third quarter of 2026, could be up to six area sites.
The six locations are in Clay, Duval and Nassau counties.
The latest – the sixth to surface – is in Jacksonville in Duval.
City utility JEA issued a service availability determination letter April 2 for an unidentified 5,175-square-foot convenience store – the same size as Parker’s Kitchen – on 1.61 acres at northwest Beach Boulevard and St. Johns Bluff Road South.
Kimley-Horn & Associates Inc. of Jacksonville is the agent and civil engineer. The firm works with Parker’s Kitchen.
The JEA request comprises two parcels. An almost 0.55-acre site at 11361 Beach Blvd. features a Checkers drive-thru built in 1993. A 1.06-acre site at 3210 St. Johns Bluff Road is listed in Duval County property records as vacant commercial property.
A JEA request means a project is being explored rather than a firm deal.
Parker’s Kitchen said in November it was actively working on several more locations in addition to the four it confirmed but that it was too early to publicize them.
Parker’s Kitchen said April 7 that “no additional store sites in Jacksonville are confirmed at this time.”
A location of the same size is proposed at southwest Atlantic and Southside boulevards at the site of a closed CVS Pharmacy.
JEA issued a service availability determination letter Nov. 21, 2024, for “redevelopment of existing site to proposed 5,175 sq ft C-store.” England-Thims & Miller Inc. of Jacksonville is the engineer on that project.
“Jacksonville’s fast-growing population, robust economy and growing retail market make it an attractive region for expansion,” said Amanda Thompson, Parker’s Kitchen senior director of real estate and development, in November 2024.
“With its business-friendly environment and vibrant lifestyle appeal, the city offers tremendous opportunity. As a company, expanding into north Florida aligns seamlessly with our strategic growth objectives. We’re honored to support the Jacksonville community and to contribute to its ongoing success as the area continues to grow.”
The common size for the area Parker’s Kitchen appears to be 5,175 square feet on plans for area stores.
The Savannah-based company said previously by email that the first four are:
• 7481 Wilson Blvd. at Old Middleburg Road North in West Jacksonville.
• 11205 Alta Drive north of Interstate 295 in North Jacksonville.
• Blanding and Tanglewood boulevards in Orange Park in Clay County.
• 76010 William Burgess Blvd. in Wildwood in Yulee in Nassau County.
Parker’s Kitchen is a gas station and convenience store chain that features Southern comfort food.
The ParkersKitchen.com menu includes biscuits baked daily on-site, catfish, grits, hash browns, sausage patties and gravy, chicken tenders, pork chops, pulled pork sandwiches, fried okra, breakfast burritos, lemonade and “Signature Chewy Ice.”
According to its website, Parker’s Kitchen aims to “redefine foodservice and convenience, offering freshly prepared Southern-inspired food, high-quality products, and superior customer service” at retail stores throughout coastal Georgia and South Carolina.
It has at least 98 locations in its Georgia and South Carolina markets and is adding 25 more in those states and in Florida.
The closest to Jacksonville is 32 miles north in Kingsland, Georgia.
Founder and CEO Greg Parker opened the first store in Midway, Georgia, in 1976.
When it announced an expansion in June 2024 into Augusta, Georgia, a news release said the Parker’s Kitchen will offer grab-and-go options, a hot bar serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily and electronic kiosk ordering.
Highlights will include never-frozen, antibiotic-free, double-breaded Southern fried chicken tenders, signature mac ‘n’ cheese and potato logs, freshly made salads, gourmet coffee, freshly brewed sweet tea, Fancy Lemonade, 28-degree beer, fountain drinks with Chewy Ice and a range of convenience items.
Convenience.org reported Oct. 4, 2024, that Parker’s Kitchen had opened its largest location yet, a 7,122-square-foot store in Kingsland.
The location is the company’s southernmost location on Interstate 95 and the first store in Camden County, “featuring larger retail, food, and checkout areas, along with a gaming room and expanded restrooms.”
Parker’s Kitchen said in the report that the store features a prototype with a “contemporary glass-front façade, lime-washed brick, designer lighting, and the cleanest bathrooms in the industry.”
The website said the 6.84-acre site includes parking for large commercial trucks as well as cars and offers three grades of unleaded fuel plus ethanol-free fuel, diesel, and high-flow diesel.
Parker’s Kitchen said that the Kingsland store is the first in a cluster of Parker’s Kitchen stores designed to serve residents and visitors throughout the metro Jacksonville area and South Georgia.
Convenience.org is the site of NACS, “the leading global trade association dedicated to advancing convenience and fuel retailing” that advises more than 1,300 retailer and 1,600 supplier members from more than 50 countries.