After nearly three years, Chick-fil-A is set to officially return to University Place mall in Chapel Hill.

The popular fast-food chain announced on Thursday it will be opening its latest location, at 241 South Estes Drive, on September 5. Nate MacDonald, a Triangle resident who owns the Chick-fil-A location off Renaissance Parkway in southern Durham, will also own and operate this new restaurant.

“I am truly humbled by the opportunity to continue serving our Guests in the Triangle area in a greater capacity,” MacDonald said in a release from Chick-fil-A sharing the opening details. “Serving the community is a cause I’m passionate about, and my hope for this new restaurant is to make Guests and Team Members feel cared for in a personal way.”

Previously, Chick-fil-A had a space within University Place’s main mall building — but the franchise closed in November 2021 ahead of the mall’s extensive redevelopment and focus on having businesses with external entrances. Before long, though, plans emerged for the restaurant to set up shop in a new spot: the footprint of the K&W Cafeteria toward the eastern border of the mall property alongside Fordham Boulevard. The old building was town down to construct a brand new facility, which will be accessible from the mall’s Fordham Boulevard entrance road.

The location will have drive-thru lanes — which was initially a point of contention to the neighboring Binkley Baptist Church — as well as dine-in, carry-out, Mobile Thru, delivery and catering options for patrons. According to Thursday’s announcement, the new restaurant will employee more than 100 people, and provide a spot for MacDonald’s staff at the Renaissance Parkway location to earn hours while that franchise continues its own remodeling.

The opening of the restaurant sets another mark in the ongoing redevelopment of University Place, which is owned by Ram Realty. Beyond Chick-fil-A, the rest of the eastern and southern portions of the mall property are continuing construction of several new buildings in the footprint of the old Southern Season location. Additional businesses, like Curry Up Now and Jeni’s Ice Cream, are expected to eventually operate there. More details on the redevelopment and visioning for University Place can be found on the mall’s website.

The University Place Chick-fil-A franchise’s hours will be from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. — including on its opening day, Thursday, September 5.

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