Chick-fil-A Plans to Replace Red Robin in Secaucus

Chick-fil-A will file an application to demolish the shuttered Red Robin restaurant in Secaucus and construct a fresh location with a drive-through. Mayor Mike Gonnelli confirmed this Friday morning. Red…

HOUSTON, TEXAS - JULY 05: A Chick-fil-A restaurant is seen on July 05, 2022 in Houston, Texas. According to an annual survey produced by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), Chick-fil-A has maintained its position as America's favorite restaurant for the eighth straight year in a row. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
(Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

Chick-fil-A will file an application to demolish the shuttered Red Robin restaurant in Secaucus and construct a fresh location with a drive-through. Mayor Mike Gonnelli confirmed this Friday morning.

Red Robin, situated beside Buffalo Wild Wings, has sat empty for months. The chicken chain must appear before the Secaucus Zoning Board to secure approval for tearing down the old building and erecting a new one, according to Patch.com.

The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority greenlit the proposal before sending it to municipal officials. The NJSEA holds title to the land in Harmon Meadow where this restaurant stands.

Gonnelli said town leaders back the project. Approval seems likely. Demolition could begin this year, with construction following soon after.

The property occupies a strip packed with chain eateries. Buffalo Wild Wings runs its operation right next to where Red Robin once served customers.

The NJSEA governs most land decisions in this section of town. Without their consent, no application could proceed to local boards.

Chick-fil-A has grown its footprint throughout New Jersey over recent years. The company now runs hundreds of restaurants nationwide.

The zoning board will review the application in the coming weeks. Municipal leaders have voiced enthusiasm about bringing this restaurant to Secaucus.

No opening date has been set. How quickly things move depends on what local boards decide.

Harmon Meadow has watched several restaurants come and go lately. Red Robin shut its doors at this spot months back, leaving the building vacant.

J. MayhewWriter