By 1812Blockhouse
For years, rumors have floated through Richland County like the scent of waffle fries in the wind. Now it is official. Chick-fil-A has selected its site in Ontario and taken its first serious step toward building a new restaurant.
Engineers representing the company have filed plan review documents with the City of Ontario. The proposal outlines a 4,300 to 4,400 square foot drive-thru restaurant near North Lexington-Springmill Road and Village Mall Drive, right in the heart of Ontario’s busiest retail corridor.
If everything moves through approvals on schedule, Chick-fil-A is targeting an opening sometime between October and December of 2026.
Why Ontario and Why This Corner
The site sits near Village Mall Drive, a crossroads that has hosted generations of regional shopping. Traffic here never seems to pause. That steady flow is exactly what national chains look for, and Chick-fil-A is no exception. A new location here positions the restaurant within sight of Ontario Center and a collection of stores and restaurants that draw both local residents and visitors.
City zoning inspector Benji Hall confirmed the submittal of engineering plans. His office is working with Chick-fil-A on development requirements, everything from traffic layout to design details.
“They are moving through the process,” Hall said, noting that feedback from city officials has been positive so far.
Part of a Larger Ohio Expansion
This is not just a one-off project. Chick-fil-A has been expanding aggressively in Ohio, publicly outlining a goal to open 25 to 30 new restaurants statewide by the end of 2027.
Ontario’s spot is one of those pieces on the broader map. In many communities, Chick-fil-A restaurants become anchors of commercial development, reshaping nearby traffic patterns and often sparking additional investment.
Jobs and Local Impact
While hiring details will come later, new Chick-fil-A locations typically bring several dozen jobs. Ontario’s site is expected to follow that pattern. Between the construction phase and ongoing operations, the economic ripple will be noticeable.
Within the Village Mall complex, the restaurant could become a high-visibility cornerstone, drawing more visitors to an area that continues to reinvent itself.
What Happens Next
Over the coming months, Chick-fil-A’s design team will work through the city’s approval stages. Everything from landscaping to drive-thru flow will be tweaked. Once permits are secured, the company will move into full site development and construction.
Community interest is already strong. People want to know what the building will look like, what type of dining room it will have, and how the drive-thru will handle peak hours. Those decisions are still in development.
For now, the headline is simple. The deal is real. The plans are filed. The countdown has started.
Ontario is getting a Chick-fil-A.
