The Middletown Township Board of Supervisors has given the green light to a plan that will transform the existing Chick-fil-A restaurant near Sesame Place into a modern facility with dual drive-through lanes and better traffic flow.
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The approval was granted at Monday evening’s supervisors’ meeting and covers preliminary and final land development for the site near the intersection of Oxford Valley Road and Lincoln Highway within the Lincoln Plaza shopping center. The location is operated by franchisee Dave Heffernan.
Supervisor Chairperson Mike Ksiazek clarified that the project involves the redevelopment of an existing Chick-fil-A, which currently occupies a building that was originally opened years ago as a Krispy Kreme before becoming a fast-food chicken eatery.
Attorney Ed Murphy, who was representing Chick-fil-A, explained that the current location, while operating as a Chick-fil-A, lacks the company’s modern layout and customer amenities.
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“Originally this was a Krispy Kreme location which ultimately Chick-fil-A acquired and retrofitted,” Murphy said. “But it has never been the true Chick-fil-A modern layout with all the other updates for customers.”
The redevelopment plans include dual drive-through lanes, a bypass lane, order point meal delivery canopies, and other site improvements within the GB General Business District, according to Murphy.
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Construction on the new Chick-fil-A will not commence immediately.
Murphy stated that the Oxford Valley location will remain open until a new Chick-fil-A under construction at the former Ruby Tuesday’s site on East Lincoln Highway, which is next to Lowe’s Home Improvement, is completed and operational.
“This particular project probably will not commence until sometime in 2026,” Murphy said.
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Supervisor Dawn Quirple raised concerns about the project’s potential impact on traffic congestion in the area.
Murphy assured the board that the new design, including the dual drive-through lanes, is expected to improve traffic management.
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“We think, and I think your traffic consultant agrees, with the improvements we’re talking about, hopefully it’ll be managed better than it is today. You’re right, it is difficult today,” Murphy said.
The supervisors’ approval followed a four-month delay due to a request from the township’s traffic consultant to consider installing an off-site sidewalk along Buckstown Drive.
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Chick-fil-A reached out to Simon Properties, the owner of the Oxford Valley Mall, about the sidewalk, but the request was declined, Murphy said.
As an alternative, Chick-fil-A has paid a fee to the township in lieu of installing the sidewalk.
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Several supervisors expressed disappointment about the inability to add sidewalks in the area.
“I tend to agree with [Supervisor Dana] Kane regarding being disappointed that we don’t have the opportunity to put a sidewalk in around the ring road. I think it would be a valuable asset,” Supervisor Amy Strouse said, while noting Chick-fil-A’s efforts and payment of the fee.
Township Engineer Isaac Kessler explained that the property line configuration placed the area where the sidewalk would typically be on Simon Properties’ land, leading to the coordination challenges.
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“The property line is back a bit, which is why where the sidewalk would normally be in front of the restaurant is actually on Simon’s property,” Kessler said. “That’s what led to the attempted coordination on that regard and why the applicant’s agreeable to a fee in lieu of that since it can’t be placed outside their line there.”
The redevelopment is part of Chick-fil-A’s ongoing efforts to modernize its restaurants and enhance customer experience.
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