Chick-fil-A was supposed to reopen in Arden Arcade in 2023. How long will remodel take?

Construction is still underway at the only Chick-fil-A in Arden Arcade, nearly half a year after the Georgia-based fried chicken chain announced the location would close temporarily.

In August, the fast food restaurant at 2101 Alta Arden Expressway shut off its deep fryers and milkshake machines for a complete remodel.

Customers were told that the Sacramento County spot would reopen by the end of 2023, but that date has been pushed back to sometime early this year.

In a Dec. 6 Instagram post, Chick-fil-A shared photos of new fabric patterns and chrome tiles at its Arden Arcade eatery, which occupies more than 4,000 square feet of space.

However, local residents were more concerned about when they would get Chick-fil-A back.

“We’re dying out here! Reopen already,” Instagram user infinitydisney_andbeyond wrote on Tuesday.

“Any update on the reopening date?” another Instagram user, phresh_prince84, asked. “Need my 3 piece with mac !!”

“Seriously wtf is taking so long?” an Instagram user identified as apricot1987 wrote. “Canes isn’t cutting it.”

According to Chick-fil-A, there’s no opening date for the Arden Fair location.

However, the restaurant could reopen sometime early this year, the chain said Tuesday via Instagram.

“Thanks so much for your patience,” Chick-fil-A added.

Why is Chick-fil-A in Arden Arcade under construction?

According to a July 2022 document from Sacramento County’s Planning and Environmental Review, renovations at the Arden Arcade Chick-fil-A will include a dual-lane drive-thru and a 580-square-foot expansion to the original building’s interior.

New signage and parking lot improvements are also in the works, the county wrote.

Chick-fil-A wasn’t available for comment on Tuesday.

Joshua Paul, owner and operator of Chick-fil-A in Arden Fair, said in an October email that canopies will be constructed to shade both workers and guests, and the dining area will be completely redesigned.

“We’re incredibly thankful for the community’s continued support of our restaurant and patience as we undergo construction,” he wrote in the email. “We’re excited to better meet the needs of our guests and team members through these restaurant updates.”

How often do fast food restaurants get renovated?

What’s happening at the Arden Arcade location isn’t rare.

Chick-fil-A restaurants undergo renovations based on both size and age, according to the chain’s website.

Updates typically include larger kitchens, additional drive-thru lanes, new counters, awnings and furniture, Chick-fil-A said. Each freestanding location generally undergoes at least one large renovation within its 30-year lifespan.

During temporary Chick-fil-A closures, some employees are placed at other locations while others receive compensation, the company said.

There are eight other freestanding Chick-fil-A locations across the Sacramento area, including restaurants in Delta Shores, Elk Grove, Rancho Cordova, Roseville, Folsom, Rocklin and Granite Bay.

Chick-fil-A is known for its variety of chicken entrees including grilled and fried sandwiches and nuggets. Also on the menu are breakfast burritos, biscuits, salads, soups, wraps and macaroni and cheese.