"With its Milton Road location a mainstay for more than a decade now, a third Chick-fil-A location will arrive in the city in early 2024 along Route 66.
Owned and operated by Nathan Vickroy, just as the Milton location is, the Route 66 site is well under construction after breaking ground in early August on the corner of Fourth Street by Dutch Bros. Coffee, the Ocean Blue Car Wash, which is also under construction, and Sportsman’s Warehouse.
“I am looking forward to growing Chick-fil-A’s presence in the Flagstaff area and showing ongoing care for our guests,” Vickroy said. “Chick-fil-A Flagstaff Route 66 provides another opportunity for us to have a positive influence with all who come in contact with our restaurants, and I cannot wait to officially open our doors and meet more of the community we serve.”
After departing the Flagstaff Mall several years before the announcement of the current location, Chick-fil-A opened on Milton in January 2013 and added a smaller express option on Northern Arizona University’s campus as the second location in Flagstaff.
Over the years, the Milton location’s business has pushed the drive-thru line out onto Riordan Road or backed up in the median lane as customers try to turn into the parking lot shared with Dunkin’, Jimmy John’s and Sleep Number. The addition of the new location, complete with another dual-lane drive-thru and canopy for cover, should hopefully alleviate some of the traffic issues for the Milton location.
Chick-fil-A declined to directly address the traffic issues associated with the location on Milton, but thanked customers who have supported the business over the years.
"We are grateful for the community support of the Chick-fil-A on Milton Road and we look forward to the opportunity to serve even more guests in Flagstaff with a new location," the company said in an email.
As was the case in 2013 when 75 employees were hired for the Milton location, an estimated 80 to 120 jobs will be created from the opening of the Route 66 location, with the hiring process set to begin in early December, according to the Milton location's Facebook posting.
According to the announcement for Vickroy’s second franchise on Facebook, locations were explored near the Flagstaff Mall, but a deal could not be closed. The Route 66 location will end up a little more than 2 miles west of the mall and roughly 3.5 miles from the current location on Milton.
"We take several factors into consideration when selecting a location for a new restaurant, including target markets and other business factors to best serve our local communities and guests," Chick-fil-A said in a statement." (
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