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
Author: STAFF HERE NEW YORK WRITER
NEW YORK STAFF WRITER The NEW YORK STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewYork.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New York, the five boroughs, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as New York Fashion Week, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Tribeca Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce and United Way of New York, plus leading businesses in finance and media that power the local economy such as JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Bloomberg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBuffalo.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into New York's dynamic landscape.
