A slew of new restaurants are making their way to Franklin County this summer, bringing fried chicken, steak burgers, frozen yogurt and more than 200 new jobs to the area.
In addition to Zaxby’s and Buffalo Wild Wings, which have already begun construction, city and county planning directors confirmed Jimmy John’s, Logan’s Roadhouse and Luci Lou’s Frozen Yogurt will also set up shop in Frankfort and Franklin County this summer.
Jimmy John’s developers have purchased a vacant building at Versailles Road and Sunset Drive, City Planning Director Gary Muller said Tuesday.
“They are chomping at the bit,” Muller said. “They’re hoping to get started (with renovations) any day now.”
The building used to house a gas station, and Muller said development plans call for converting the gas station’s old car wash into a drive-thru window.
Based in central Illinois, Jimmy John’s has more than 1,000 locations in 40 states and specializes in sub sandwiches. Patrons can order at the store or get their sandwiches delivered.
Pragnesh Patel, a Jimmy John’s spokesman, said the restaurant is slated to open at the end of July and will create 25-30 jobs.
Muller also confirmed Luci Lou’s Frozen Yogurt is setting up shop in the strip mall at 111 Westridge Drive next to Ginza Japanese Cuisine and behind Panera Bread.
Luci Lou’s is a new frozen yogurt business started by Lawrenceburg residents Steven and Jessica Seeburger after the couple tired of driving to Lexington for their fro-yo fix, said Luci Lou’s spokeswoman Paige Brown in a statement.
“The goal of Luci Lou’s Frozen Yogurt is to provide a friendly atmosphere, a unique experience, and most of all, a more health conscious alternative for enjoying sweets,” Brown said.
Luci Lou’s will be the first self-serve frozen yogurt restaurant in Frankfort.
Nearly 50 flavors are listed on Luci Lou’s website, and about half of those will be available on a rotating basis. Flavors include cupcake, banana pudding, sea salt caramel pretzel and blueberry. More than 40 toppings will be available, including frozen fruit, Cocoa Puffs cereal and chocolate-covered raisins.
Brown said the eatery is expected to open in June and will create about 20 jobs. A second location is set to open in Lawrenceburg, also in June.
On Monday, developers for Logan’s Roadhouse submitted plans to County Planning Director Robert Hewitt for building a 5,600 square-foot restaurant at 141 Bizzack Boulevard near Cracker Barrel.
According to its website, Logan’s has more than 200 locations across the nation, including about a dozen in Kentucky. Menu items include steak burgers, baby back ribs and mini burgers and chicken sandwiches called Roadies.
A spokesperson for Logan’s couldn’t be reached for comment, so it’s unclear when the restaurant will open or how many jobs it will create.
The downtown restaurant scene is also expanding. Ismael Valladares, manager of La Fiesta Grande on Versailles Road, said he’s opening a second location in St. Clair Mall.
“We think over there we’ll do good,” Valladares said Monday. “We got a lot of state workers down there, and we want to be close to everybody.”
Already under construction are chicken wing chains Buffalo Wild Wings and Zaxby’s.
The 5,000-square-foot Buffalo Wild Wings is planned to open next to Aspen Dental in Parkside Shopping Center in July.
The restaurant, commonly referred to as “B-dubs” or “BW3s,” is known for its variety of wing sauces and sports-bar atmosphere.
Angie Andresen, a spokeswoman with Buffalo Wild Wings, said in December the restaurant will bring 120-150 jobs to Frankfort.
Construction has been underway for several weeks on the new 3,500 square-foot Zaxby’s at 1375 Versailles Road. The restaurant is set to create 50-60 jobs.
Licensees Sandra Adams and Brad Kelly plan to open the new quick-casual restaurant early this summer, according to a news release.
“Frankfort residents have shown great support for the brand, and I see this area as a great opportunity to expand the business,” said Adams, who owns three existing Zaxby’s location in Danville, Nicholasville and Richmond, in a news release.
“I’m excited to be a part of the community and am confident that the same quality of food and service Zaxby’s is known for will keep area residents coming back for more.”
Zaxby’s specializes in chicken fingers and buffalo wings and also offers sandwiches and salads.
Coming soon
Jimmy John’s: End of July
Buffalo Wild Wings: July
Zaxby’s: June
Luci Lou’s Frozen Yogurt: June
La Fiesta Grande (St. Clair): June
Logan’s Roadhouse: TBD
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