A property sale approved by the City of Auburn is fueling growing speculation that Chick-fil-A could soon be coming to the area.
City officials on Thursday approved the purchase of property at 277 Grant Avenue by the Chick-fil-A Corporation for $20,000. While plans for the site have not yet been formally announced, officials say more details about the development are expected within the next month or two.
The potential project has drawn significant attention locally, with widespread speculation on social media suggesting the national fast-food chain is planning a new location in Auburn.
The parcel at 277 Grant Avenue is a narrow strip of land running alongside John Walsh Boulevard, near the Walmart plaza. The city acquired the property roughly 15 years ago during construction of the roadway and has held onto it since, anticipating future development opportunities in the area.
Officials note the parcel itself is not large enough to support a standalone development. However, it adjoins a larger, privately owned property—formerly the site of a medical office complex—that has been vacant for several years and is considered a likely location for redevelopment.
City leaders say the smaller parcel could play a key role in improving access or layout for any future project on the neighboring land.
While no formal site plans have been released, officials say all indications point toward a Chick-fil-A development moving forward. If approved, construction and opening could still be at least a year and a half to two years away.
The project would mark a significant addition to Auburn’s retail and dining landscape, particularly in the busy Grant Avenue corridor.
