Atlanta’s homegrown quick-service chicken empire hopes to open its second new restaurant on one of intown’s most lively commercial corridors within about a year.
That’s the word from Chick-fil-A representatives today, who confirm to Urbanize Atlanta that previous designs submitted for a new 777 Ponce de Leon Avenue outpost will indeed be what’s built, should all go according to plan.
The Poncey-Highland Chick-fil-A would mark the company’s second new franchise addition to Ponce, following a controversial drive-thru location that opened just four blocks away earlier this summer.
“It’s our pleasure to confirm that Chick-fil-A Ponce de Leon is slated to open in fall 2024, assuming there are no delays,” a project spokesperson wrote in response to Urbanize inquiries, on behalf of Chick-fil-A.
“The locally owned and operated restaurant will be designed to fit seamlessly into the walkability of the neighborhood, allowing guests to walk directly to the location and dine-in or carry out their meal with ease,” the email continued. “Since opening our restaurant Ponce & Boulevard this June, we look forward to adding another restaurant to the neighborhood.”
As with a standalone Chick-fil-A in the pipeline on Peachtree Road in Buckhead, the Poncey-Highland location would not feature a drive-thru. Plans indicate it will include 41 parking spaces behind the Ponce-fronting building, however.
Current plans for the next Ponce Chick-fil-A. Chick-fil-A/Bowman
In preparation for the next Ponce Chick-fil-A, the longtime home of Dugan’s restaurant and lounge was recently razed next to the Hotel Clermont and its basement lounge. Chick-fil-A has had the Dugan’s location in its crosshairs since at least 2016.
Dugan’s closed last year and relocated to Northlake.
Chick-fil-A's plans call for 41 parking spaces where Somerset Terrace meets Ponce de Leon Avenue. Chick-fil-A/Bowman
But building on the ashes of Dugan's hasn’t been without speed bumps. A few years ago, Poncey-Highland created the Poncey-Highland Historic District as means of safeguarding about 260 irreplaceable buildings and establishing guidelines for new development that inevitably would come.
Chick-fil-A’s initial plans for the Dugan’s site ran afoul of the new rules in several ways, sending the company back to the drawing board to tweak designs.
Have a look at what’s bound for Ponce—and more context as to exactly where it will be—in the gallery above.
[CLARIFICATION: 5:29 p.m., Aug. 28: A previous version of this article identified a brand spokesperson who does not work in that capacity.]
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