News Summary
Chick-fil-A will replace the recently closed TGI Fridays at the South Shore Mall in Bay Shore with a new restaurant. Spanning 5,500 square feet, it will feature two drive-thru lanes. Construction will commence with the demolition of the existing building. This expansion is part of Chick-fil-A’s continued growth on Long Island, where it now operates over a dozen locations. The new site will provide an additional dining option for local consumers, although a projected opening date has yet to be announced.
New York – Chick-fil-A is set to establish a new restaurant at the South Shore Mall in Bay Shore, replacing a TGI Fridays that closed earlier this year. The decision to move in was made following a signed ground lease for the 1.5-acre parcel located at 1725 Sunrise Highway. Construction will begin with the demolition of the existing TGI Fridays building, paving the way for a new establishment covering 5,500 square feet that will feature two drive-thru lanes.
The permitting process for the new Chick-fil-A location is currently underway with the Town of Islip. As of now, there is no projected opening date for the restaurant. This new addition will contribute to Chick-fil-A’s expanding presence on Long Island, where the fast-food chain has been steadily growing over the past few years, now operating over a dozen locations throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties.
Recently, the latest Chick-fil-A opened in East Meadow, New York, about a month prior, which is a 2,900-square-foot take-out only establishment without seating for customers. In addition, a future Chick-fil-A location is expected to open in Lake Ronkonkoma by summer 2026, which will also be a 5,500-square-foot facility and will take over a space previously occupied by Weight Watchers.
The relocation of Chick-fil-A to the South Shore Mall comes after the closure of TGI Fridays, which was part of a broader shutdown of three underperforming restaurants across the chain. TGI Fridays filed for bankruptcy in November 2024 and currently operates 85 locations in the United States.
Chick-fil-A’s franchise costs can vary widely, ranging from $585,500 to $3.3 million depending on various factors associated with location and setup. However, the average annual gross sales for a Chick-fil-A restaurant are reported to be approximately $8.1 million, indicating a robust business model.
Chick-fil-A first opened on Long Island back in 2015 with its inaugural location in Port Jefferson Station. While some local residents expressed a desire to see the TGI Fridays site transform into a Cracker Barrel, the fast-food chain ultimately secured the location. The community can anticipate the new Chick-fil-A as part of the ongoing evolution at the South Shore Mall.
As Chick-fil-A continues to expand across Long Island, consumers are likely to embrace the new dining option in Bay Shore, which aims to provide the popular fast-food offerings that have garnered a loyal following nationwide.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Long Island Business News
- Greater Long Island
- Patch
- Chick-fil-A Press Room
- Bradenton Herald
- Wikipedia: Chick-fil-A
- Google Search: Chick-fil-A Long Island expansion
- Google Scholar: Chick-fil-A business model
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Fast Food
- Google News: Chick-fil-A Bay Shore
