Over the last few years, Chick-fil-A has spent millions of dollars upgrading and expanding its Jacksonville-area restaurants, adding capacity — both inside and outside — to accommodate its busy drive-thru business.
On Thursday, the fast-food chicken giant famous for its chicken sandwiches and waffle fries debuts its first all-new restaurant in the market in three years with the opening of one of its next-generation-design restaurants at 11709 San Jose Blvd. in South Mandarin.
At 3,500 square feet, the restaurant is significantly smaller than other area Chick-fil-A locations. According to plans filed nearly two years ago, the restaurant’s seating is limited to just 38 seats. But its drive-thru can accommodate a whopping 45 vehicles or more under two canopies that stretch over three lanes.
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The restaurant is locally owned and operated by Eric Gillis.
As part of the restaurant’s grand opening, Chick-fil-A has donated $25,000 to Feeding America, which supports local hunger relief efforts through Feeding Northeast Florida , and free Chick-fil-A entrées for a year to 100 “local heroes making an impact in the Jacksonville area.”