Many Azleites are soon to see their longtime dream come true: a Chick-fil-A is coming to the city. A recent posting by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation shows the popular chicken chain will set up shop at 417 Northwest Parkway next year. The location formerly was the site of Neighborhood Autos. The project is expected to begin construction in May 2026 with a completion date in October of that year.
The 5,087 square-foot restaurant will include a drive through and stand-alone canopies — likely for outdoor seating. The restaurant will sit next door to the recently built Dutch Bros Coffee. While many in Azle have been waiting patiently to “Eat Mor Chikin” — double so on Sundays — some residents and city officials worry that its proximity to the popular coffee spot will only exacerbate major traffic backups in the area. Currently, those in Azle looking to get their chick fix must drive 10 miles or more to the closest Chick-fil-A in Lake Worth.
Chick-fil-A Inc is famously selective about choosing where to expand. The company’s real estate team decides how and when to acquire a specific property for a new restaurant based on local market factors and its corporate expansion goals. It is equally selective about who runs its restaurants. The company has stated that out of the tens of thousands who apply to be owner-operators each year, fewer than 100 are ultimately approved. The application process is detailed and lengthy and it is not yet clear if a franchisee has been selected for the Azle location. Unlike many other franchise-based fast-food restaurants, Chick-fil-A Inc pays for and owns the land and equipment of each of its restaurants and operator-owners lease the location. Texas remains the top spot for Chick-fil-A with 15% of all the business’s restaurants.
