Popular Chick-fil-A in Fresno closing for renovations. Could that include drive-thru?

A Chick-fil-A restaurant in Fresno will be closing.

But no need to panic.

It’s a temporary closure.

Nonetheless, those craving “The Lord’s Chicken” might soon need to make an in-town detour to satisfy their Chick-fil-A hunger.

The popular Chick-fil-A restaurant at 8040 N. Blackstone Ave., just north of the River Park shopping area, is expected to close for the next five months due to remodeling, according to employees.

The restaurant will remain open for the time being until 2 p.m. Thursday, March 6.

“We appreciate your support and patience as we work to enhance your Chick-fil-A experience,” the restaurant wrote in a social media post.

Messages left with Chick-fil-A’s corporate office seeking comment on the upcoming remodeling were not immediately returned.

So it was not officially known what the restaurant planned to remodel.

Worst drive-thru in Fresno?

Under its current design, the drive-thru at this Chick-fil-A was considered the worst in Fresno, according to a Fresno Bee readers poll two years ago.

Dozens of vehicles often are backed up and wind around the parking lot with cars wrapped behind the nearby Westwoods BBQ & Spice Co., as well as the Joann fabric store (which recently announced it’s closing).

And to exit out of the drive-thru, a driver essentially has to U-turn in a highly congested area of the parking lot then wait some more before making a right turn onto Blackstone Avenue.

Chick-fil-A has been planning to make changes for some time, having filed an application in April 2023 to expand the building and add a new menu board.

Some workers to transfer Fashion Fair restaurant

Though the Chick-fil-A near River Park is closed for renovations, the Chick-fil-A by Fashion Fair Mall near the intersection of First Street and Shaw Avenue will still be open.

Employees said that some of Chick-fil-A workers at the River Park location will temporarily transfer to the Fashion Fair store while others will have to look for work elsewhere.

In addition, Chick-fil-A wants to open its first location in Clovis, applying to build a restaurant on Shaw between Willow and Peach avenues. There currently is no timetable when a Clovis Chick-fil-A could open.

This story was originally published February 28, 2025 at 3:00 PM with the headline "Popular Chick-fil-A in Fresno closing for renovations. Could that include drive-thru?."