Work officially begins on new south Abilene Chick-fil-a location

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – Work has officially begun on the site of south Abilene’s new Chick-fil-a location.

Crews have been working to increase the footprint of the new location, which will be on Southwest Drive across from Walmart. Utilities are also currently being installed on-site.

South Abilene’s Chick-Fil-a, which is currently located off S Clack Street, will be moving to this location once it’s complete with hopes of alleviating traffic flow issues in the area.

City Manager Robert Hanna says this area is, “increasingly a traffic concern for a number of folks in Abilene. I think even Chick-fil-a.”

By moving into this location for a projected 40 year lease, Chick-fil-a will give the City $125,000 for the first five years, $137,500 for years 6-10, $151,250 for years 11-15, growing up to $223,000 a year in rent by the end of the 40 year lease, which has an initial term of 15 years with 5 renewal terms of 5 years, according to City of Abilene officials.

All of this money, amounting to around $7 million across the 40 years, will be used to fund capital projects within the Parks and Recreation Department.

Hanna calls this, “a creative way to provide funding for Abilene’s park system that’s not tax revenue.”

It’s currently unknown when Chick-fil-a’s relocation will be complete.