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Chick-fil-A gets demolished near Daytona Speedway. Here's what's replacing it.

Clayton Park, The Daytona Beach News-Journal
·2 min read
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DAYTONA BEACH − The nearly 30-year-old Chick-fil-A fast-food restaurant near Daytona International Speedway was recently leveled to make way for a bigger one expected to open later this year.

Here's what to know about the project.

A construction crew clears the 1.2-acre site on the northwest corner of West International Speedway Boulevard and North Williamson Boulevard in Daytona Beach on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023. The nearly 30-year-old Chick-fil-A fast-food restaurant that occupied the corner was torn down the previous day to make way for a bigger one opening later this year.
A construction crew clears the 1.2-acre site on the northwest corner of West International Speedway Boulevard and North Williamson Boulevard in Daytona Beach on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023. The nearly 30-year-old Chick-fil-A fast-food restaurant that occupied the corner was torn down the previous day to make way for a bigger one opening later this year.

HOW OLD WAS THE BUILDING THAT GOT TORN DOWN? According to Volusia County property records, the standalone Chick-fil-A restaurant at 100 N. Williamson Blvd. in Daytona Beach was built in 1994. The 3,295-square-foot building occupied a 1.2-acre outparcel next to the Volusia Marketplace shopping center. It also had a single drive-through service lane.

WHAT'S TAKING ITS PLACE? Chick-fil-A franchisee Chris Kirby submitted plans to the City of Daytona Beach last year for a new standalone Chick-fil-A eatery that will offer 4,960 square feet of space and have two drive-through service lanes. He said the restaurant's employees would be temporarily reassigned to other Chick-fil-A eateries in the area.

HOW MUCH IS IT GOING TO COST? According to the building permit application the city approved on Jan. 19, the estimated cost to construct the new restaurant is $3.3 million.

The nearly 30-year-old Chick-fil-A restaurant on the northwest corner of West International Speedway and North Williamson boulevards in Daytona Beach awaits demolition on Jan. 17, 2023.
The nearly 30-year-old Chick-fil-A restaurant on the northwest corner of West International Speedway and North Williamson boulevards in Daytona Beach awaits demolition on Jan. 17, 2023.

WHEN'S THE NEW ONE OPENING? "It's our pleasure to confirm we will be reopening Chick-fil-A Int'l Speedway this summer, assuming there are no delays," Kirby told The Daytona Beach News-Journal in a text message on Thursday. "The remodel will feature updates to improve customer and Team Member experience, including changes to the overall restaurant, drive-thru and parking lot."

WHAT ARE THE EMPLOYEES DOING IN THE MEANTIME? "During the remodel we have been able to place our Team Members in a variety of roles, such as assisting with Chick-fil-A restaurant openings across the country and working locally with other Chick-fil-A restaurants," said Kirby.

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THAT WAS FAST: Kirby on his Facebook page on Tuesday posted photos of the Chick-fil-A building on ISB getting demolished. He also marveled at how quickly it came down. "The building that stood for 30 years was reduced to a pile of rubble in 30 minutes flat," he wrote.

HOW LONG HAS KIRBY OWNED THE SPEEDWAY LOCATION? "I have been the franchise operator of this location since March 2019 and I will continue to maintain ownership of the restaurant," he wrote.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Chick-fil-A near Daytona Speedway torn down to make way for bigger one