Toms River, NJ – One of the country’s most popular fast-food chains could soon be opening its first restaurant in Toms River, according to applications filed with the Toms River Planning Board.
Chick-fil-A is seeking approval to demolish the former Bahama Breeze Island Grille restaurant at the Ocean County Mall and replace it with a new standalone restaurant featuring a drive-thru.
If approved, the restaurant would become Chick-fil-A’s third location in Ocean County and its first in Toms River, filling a long-vacant property that has remained empty since Bahama Breeze closed.
The proposal has already received approval from the Ocean County Planning Board. A public hearing before the Toms River Planning Board is scheduled for Sept. 2.
Bahama Breeze sat vacant after restaurant chain exited
The proposed site is the former Bahama Breeze Island Grille located along the Ocean County Mall property.
Bahama Breeze, a Caribbean-themed restaurant chain operated by Darden Restaurants, opened hundreds of locations nationwide by offering tropical-inspired dishes, seafood, jerk chicken, ribs, burgers and frozen cocktails in an island-themed atmosphere.
The Toms River location operated for years as one of the mall’s major sit-down restaurants before closing as part of the company’s effort to reduce its restaurant footprint. Since its closure, the highly visible building has remained vacant while mall ownership sought a replacement tenant.
Rather than renovating the existing structure, planning documents call for demolishing the building and constructing an entirely new Chick-fil-A restaurant designed around its drive-thru operation.
Why Chick-fil-A continues to expand
Few restaurant brands have developed the loyal following enjoyed by Chick-fil-A.
Known primarily for its original chicken sandwich, waffle fries, lemonade and customer service, the Atlanta-based company consistently ranks among the highest-performing fast-food chains in the United States despite operating fewer locations than many competitors.
Industry analysts often point to several factors behind its popularity:
- A relatively simple menu centered on chicken products.
- Fast and efficient drive-thru operations.
- Consistently high customer satisfaction ratings.
- Strong brand loyalty.
- Restaurants that are typically closed on Sundays, a longstanding company policy established by founder S. Truett Cathy.
The chain has also become known for redesigning many of its newer restaurants to accommodate increasingly busy drive-thru traffic, often using multiple ordering lanes and outdoor employees equipped with handheld ordering devices during peak hours.
Third Ocean County location
If approved, the restaurant would join Chick-fil-A locations already operating in Brick Township and Stafford Township.
Nearby Monmouth County locations include restaurants in Eatontown, Freehold Township, Hazlet, Howell Township and Ocean Township.
For years, many Toms River residents have traveled to Brick or Stafford to visit the chain, making a local restaurant one of the community’s most frequently requested retail additions.
The proposed drive-thru could also become a significant traffic generator for the Ocean County Mall property, where several national retailers and restaurants continue to operate despite broader challenges facing enclosed shopping malls across the country.
What happens next?
The application will be reviewed by the Toms River Planning Board during its Sept. 2 meeting.
Planning Board members are expected to consider site design, traffic circulation, parking, landscaping, stormwater management and other development issues before voting on the application.
If approved, demolition of the former Bahama Breeze building would likely occur before construction of the new restaurant begins. Neither Chick-fil-A nor mall ownership has announced a projected opening date.
Redeveloping vacant outparcel restaurants has become an increasingly common strategy for shopping malls seeking to attract high-volume national brands capable of generating consistent customer traffic. Chick-fil-A locations frequently become among the busiest restaurants in the communities where they open, often increasing activity for nearby businesses as well.
Local Impact
A Chick-fil-A in Toms River would give residents their first local location while bringing another nationally recognized restaurant to the Ocean County Mall property. The project would also return a long-vacant building to active commercial use and could increase traffic for neighboring retailers and restaurants.
Sources
- Toms River Planning Board application
- Ocean County Planning Board records
FAQ
- Where would the new Chick-fil-A be built? On the site of the former Bahama Breeze restaurant at the Ocean County Mall.
- Has the project been approved? The Ocean County Planning Board has approved the proposal, but the Toms River Planning Board must still review the application.
- When is the public hearing? The application is scheduled to be heard on Sept. 2.
- Would this be Toms River’s first Chick-fil-A? Yes, if approved.
- Where are the closest Chick-fil-A restaurants now? The nearest Ocean County locations are in Brick Township and Stafford Township.
Key Points
- Chick-fil-A has filed plans to build its first Toms River restaurant at the Ocean County Mall.
- The proposal calls for demolishing the former Bahama Breeze building and replacing it with a drive-thru restaurant.
- The Toms River Planning Board is scheduled to hear the application on Sept. 2.
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