Chick-fil-A, Popeyes reportedly scout sites for restaurants near 2nd Tri-Cities Costco
Richland’s Queensgate area could be the next outlet for two chicken chains — Chick-fil-A and Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen.
Mandy Wallner, Richland’s economic development director, confirmed both have reviewed sites in the area where Costco Wholesale is building its second Tri-Cities store, 3125 Queensgate Drive.
The exact locations weren’t clear, but the sites are owned by the Kennewick Irrigation District, she said.
Wallner shared the news about the restaurants and a future hotel this week during Donuts & Development, a Tri-City Development Council program to highlight business growth across the Tri-Cities.
“Popeyes and Chick-fil-A are looking at sites up there,” she said.
Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A couldn’t be immediately reached about its plans beyond its first-ever Tri-Cities location being built at 7009 W. Canal Drive, Kennewick.
Wallner said there is no further information or a decision.
Chick-fil-A will open its Kennewick restaurant this year.
Popeyes made its Tri-Cities debut in 2022, opening at 240 N. Ely St., off Highway 395 in central Kennewick. Its second spot is at 5814 N. Road 68 in Pasco.
It’s not clear exactly where the two chains would build in Richland.
KID is marketing several undeveloped properties in the City View area on its website. The irrigation district could not be reached about its potential property sales.
Benton County property records indicate the public irrigation district owns a wedge shaped parcel at Duportail and Keene Road, near Numerica Credit Union, a Maverick gas station and Dairy Queen and additional land across Duportail.
If built, Chick-fil-A and Popeyes would be neighbors with another organization that’s breaking into the Tri-Cities market.
Idaho Central Credit Union, Idaho’s largest credit union, is building its first local branch in Kennewick’s Zintel Canyon area. The second will be at 3180 Duportail St. The city of Richland issued building permits this week for the $5.2 million, 5,000-square-foot project. Chervenell Construction Co. is the contractor.
The Chubbuck, Idaho-based credit union signaled its intent to move into the Mid-Columbia in 2024 by purchasing sites for future branches in all three cities.