Gadsden Approves Second Chick-fil-A at High-Traffic Highway 77 Location

T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Local News

GADSDEN, Ala. — Gadsden is set to welcome a second Chick-fil-A, with city leaders approving plans for a new restaurant at a highly visible and strategic location along Alabama Highway 77.

The Gadsden City Council voted Tuesday to approve an agreement with the fast-food chain to develop a restaurant on city-owned property at the intersection of Highway 77 and Airport Road, directly in front of Church of the Highlands. The site sits less than a half-mile from the Interstate 59 interchange, positioning the restaurant to attract both local customers and interstate travelers.

According to John Moore, the city’s director of commercial development and community affairs, Chick-fil-A estimates the new location could generate as much as $10 million in annual sales.

Mayor Craig Ford noted that Gadsden’s existing Chick-fil-A, located at 1008 S. Fourth Street, is already one of the city’s largest sales tax generators, highlighting the anticipated economic impact of the second location.

The city purchased approximately three acres at the site for $1.5 million and will convey 1.7 acres to Chick-fil-A. Under the agreement, the company must begin construction within 30 months to retain ownership; otherwise, the property will revert back to the city. No sales tax rebates or financial incentives are included in the deal.

Moore said construction could begin within the next 18 months and added that projected sales tax revenue is expected to quickly offset the city’s initial investment.

“This is an exciting opportunity for Gadsden,” Moore said. “We can absolutely support another Chick-fil-A, and this creates another reason for people to come into Gadsden and spend their money.”

Council member Jason Wilson pointed out that the closest Chick-fil-A locations along Interstate 59 are currently in Trussville and Fort Payne. “That thing will be wearing it out,” Wilson said, referring to the high traffic expected at the new site.

In addition to the restaurant, the city will retain ownership of the remaining 1.3 acres at the location. Moore said officials are already in discussions with a high-end coffee shop that could generate up to $2 million in annual sales.

“We could potentially see more than $600,000 in sales tax revenue from that one corner alone,” Moore said.

A Chick-fil-A location inside Gadsden Mall closed in 2023.

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