A new Chick-fil-A is officially coming to St. Johns County, right next to the future Walmart Supercenter in St. Augustine, a county source told The Citizen this week.
For weeks, rumors had been swirling about which fast-food chain would set up shop next to the big-box retailer. County officials finally met with project representatives to discuss the details.
During the meeting, county transportation planner Jan Trantham asked if they could reveal the name of the restaurant. A Chick-fil-A official hesitated before joking, “I don’t think we’re supposed to, but everyone and their friend knows who it is.”
Traffic Worries on the Rise
With Chick-fil-A’s reputation for attracting long drive-thru lines, officials are already worried about traffic congestion in the area.
“They bring in way more cars than the average fast-food place,” Trantham said.
Another official pointed out that the Chick-fil-A on US-1 in St. Augustine often struggles with traffic backups, which have even led to accidents. He warned that the new location could face similar problems.
“That concerns me a little bit,” he admitted.
County traffic consultant Rajesh Chindalur said he would study the potential impact.
What to Expect at the New Location
The new Chick-fil-A will be 5,558 square feet and have seating for 122 customers. It will feature the brand’s popular double drive-thru design to handle high demand.
Located at 3405 B International Golf Parkway, the restaurant will be part of a growing retail area. Thousands of people recently attended the grand opening of a nearby Bass Pro Shops, showing the area’s rising popularity.
Some residents are excited about the new stores, while others worry about longer travel times.
Both the Walmart Supercenter and the Chick-fil-A are expected to open sometime in 2026.