A familiar eatery in Tempe is slated to be replaced by a popular chicken chain restaurant. Chick-fil-A is poised to move into the spot previously occupied by Chompie’s, a beloved deli that served the community for a quarter-century before closing doors in November 2022.
Plans for the new Chick-fil-A were set in motion earlier this month when Tempe Development Review Commission gave the green light to two use permit requests, effectively paving the path to construct the chicken joint at 1160 E. University Drive. The proposals, as reported by ABC 15, were submitted by 4G Development & Consulting on behalf of Chick-fil-A Inc.
The upcoming Chick-fil-A location is a part of the company's broader strategy to expand its footprint in the Phoenix metropolitan region. "Chick-fil-A in 2023 announced plans to open 15 new locations in the Phoenix metro over the next five years," states the Business Journal. This announcement comes amid a flurry of activity in Arizona’s chicken restaurant market, with other chains like Arkansas-based Slim Chickens and Sneakybird also planning to expand their presence in the area.
The proposed eatery will feature no indoor dining facility but will offer outdoor seating and a double drive-thru to service customers. In a move to address potential traffic concerns, Chick-fil-A has assured that the restaurant will have ample parking, and drive-thru lines should be contained within the property, as mentioned in the proposal to Tempe. According to the Business Journal, the site is presently owned by Fosberg Capital Group, which bought the property in December 2022 for $4 million as per Maricopa County records.
For loyal patrons of Chompie’s and fans of dine-in experiences, the shift may come as a bittersweet change. Yet, with Chick-fil-A's growing recognition and the ongoing trend of quick-service dining, the transformation of 1160 E. University Drive may very well resonate with current consumer preferences. Chick-fil-A currently operates around 40 other locations in the greater Phoenix area, an evident sign of the brand's burgeoning appeal in the Valley.
