Southern fried chicken chain Chick-fil-A seems to be moving ahead with its plan for saturating the New York market.
The popular and controversial fast-food joint is reportedly eyeing a three-story location with rooftop seating next to transit hub the Fulton Center, says blog Tribeca Citizen, citing an unnamed source.
News of the possible locale comes a month before Chick-fil-A is slated to open its huge New York flagship at 1000 Sixth Ave., near 37th Street. The Atlanta-based chain has also said it plans to open another nearby storefront, on 46th Street and Sixth Ave.
The FiDi location at 144 Fulton St. home to a souvenir shop, was recently bought by retail investor Crown Acquisitions for $25 million.
A spokeswoman for Chick-fil-A said they couldn't confirm the location as a possible next restaurant — but also didn't outright deny it.
The company sent this statement, from vice president of public relations, Carrie Kurlander:
"We want ample opportunities to serve New Yorkers great food and remarkable service, which is why we have begun searching for new sites in the area," Kurlander said. "We are currently focused on getting the doors open to our location at 37th and 6th in the Garment District, just north of Herald Square, and can confirm at this time a second location will follow at 46th and 6th."
Plans for a move into FiDi has been something Chick-fil-A has mentioned publicly before — along with possible expansions to the Upper East Side and Brooklyn — but no specific locations have been announced.
The company, which has been booming nationally — despite controversy over its CEO's opposition to same-sex marriage — has said, via Kurlander, that its soon-to-open Sixth Avenue location will be the "first of many" in the city.
