Saucy! By KFC is bringing its chicken-tenders-and-sauces act to the Jacksonville area this spring, taking over a pair of former PDQ restaurants that are getting fresh lives under the KFC umbrella.
The first Saucy! By KFC is scheduled to open March 23 in the Town Center area of Jacksonville, with a second location set to follow on April 13 in Julington Creek in St. Johns. Both are conversions of recently closed PDQ sites.
According to The Florida Times-Union, the Jacksonville restaurant will move into the former PDQ building at 4816 Gate Parkway, while the St. Johns location will occupy 194 N. State Road 13 in Julington Creek. Each building is being renovated ahead of its spring debut.
From PDQ To Saucy: Permits And Lease Moves
Yum! Brands bought a string of PDQ leases in Florida and has tagged several Northeast Florida sites for conversion, according to Jax Daily Record. Local permitting documents reviewed by that outlet show renovation permits filed late last year, with at least one Town Center project carrying a renovation estimate in the high six figures. In other words, this is more than a simple paint-and-sign swap.
What To Expect At The Counter
Saucy! builds its identity around hand-breaded chicken tenders and an 11-sauce lineup meant for flights and mix-and-match orders, as coverage of the concept's launch notes in Nation's Restaurant News. Typical offerings include tender combos with toasted Hawaiian rolls, crinkle-cut fries, coleslaw and a handful of specialty chicken sandwiches.
Local Impact On Former PDQ Sites
Industry watchers see Yum! Brands' moves as part of a broader strategy to flip existing real estate into new concepts following Saucy!'s debut in Central Florida. Local reporting shows crews already refitting former PDQ locations around the region, per Action News Jax. PDQ employees at the affected restaurants were notified of the transition and may be offered the chance to apply for jobs with the new Saucy! locations.
For now, locals who are curious about the new concept might want to circle March 23 and April 13 on the calendar. The two addresses to watch are 4816 Gate Parkway in Jacksonville and 194 N. State Road 13 in Julington Creek. Opening-day details and any grand-opening promotions from the brand are expected to roll out as those dates get closer.
