Breaking: Joliet officials see Chick-fil-A site plan, but no confirmation of new chicken choice

A site plan for a possible Chick-fil-A came in front of Joliet officials several months ago, but, as of Monday, the fast-food chicken chain could not confirm a restaurant was coming to the city.

“We are always evaluating potential new locations in the hopes of serving existing and new customers great food with remarkable service,” said Jackie Jags of Chick-fil-A Inc. “While we hope to be able to expand in Joliet in the future, we do not currently have a location to confirm.”

The site plan Joliet officials saw in February was for the vacant Lone Star Steakhouse, located at 2705 Plainfield Road, Economic Development Director Steve Jones said. The steakhouse closed suddenly in July 2017, because of the chain's filing for bankruptcy.

“We were just trying to figure out whether anyone has heard anything more recent,” Jones said, when asked about Chick-fil-A coming into the space.

Questions arose Monday after local media outlets reported the chicken chain would be replacing Lone Star.

There were no building permits submitted as of Monday.

However the potential project would not necessarily need to come in front of the city council because the site is already correctly zoned, Jones said.

A new Chick-fil-A in that location would just require routine paperwork, he added.

The next closest location of the chain is in Bolingbrook. Chick-fil-A also has restaurants in Oswego, Orland Park and Aurora.