Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A is targeting expansion in Cimarron Hills on Colorado Springs’ eastern edge.

The fast-food chain known for its chicken sandwiches and waffle fries proposes building a 2,714-square-foot, drive-thru-only restaurant inside the Powers Center at the southeast corner of Palmer Park and Powers boulevards, according to planning documents submitted with the El Paso County Planning Department.

The restaurant will include a patio area with 40 seats, two drive-thru lanes, two exterior drive-thru canopies and 40 parking stalls, planning documents show. It will be located between an existing 7-Eleven and a Pizza Hut facing Powers Boulevard.

Chick-fil-A opened its first drive-thru only restaurant in 1993. These concepts feature no dining rooms or dine-in service.

It appears this would be Chick-fil-A’s first drive-thru-only concept in Colorado Springs.

In an emailed statement Monday afternoon, Chick-fil-A did not acknowledge its local expansion plans.

“We are always evaluating potential new locations in the hopes of serving existing and new guests great food with remarkable service. While we would very much like to have more restaurants in Colorado Springs, we have no new locations to confirm at this time,” the company said in part.

The chain has responded with similarly worded statements in past years when asked about plans to construct restaurants throughout El Paso County.

Chick-fil-A currently has eight locations in the Springs area, including in Fountain.

Its expansion at the Powers Center at Palmer Park and Powers boulevards will increase the number of quick-service food offerings there, joining other brands like Short Stop Burgers, Pizza Hut, Monica’s Taco Shop and Dutch Bros Coffee.

Other businesses have opened at Powers Center in recent years, as well.

In July 2024, Utah-based fitness chain VASA Fitness opened its third Springs location inside a former Kmart at 5885 Palmer Park Blvd. In October 2024, Lazy Susan’s Cocktail Lounge opened at 5859 Palmer Park Blvd.

Chick-fil-A has also proposed constructing a 4,847-square-foot restaurant on about 1.8 acres southeast of Woodmen and Mohawk roads, updated planning documents submitted with the city of Colorado Springs in late November show.

Like its Powers Center location, Chick-fil-A did not acknowledge its plans to construct this restaurant.

It will have dual drive-thru lanes, two drive-thru canopies, 90 indoor seats, 20 patio seats and 79 parking stalls, according to planning documents.

This restaurant will be built in a 40-acre mixed-use development at the southeast corner of Woodmen and Mohawk roads. In a project statement updated Nov. 24, Chick-fil-A said groundbreaking is expected to happen in early 2027, with the restaurant opening late next year.

The larger Woodmen East development includes six commercial lots ranging in size from slightly less than 1 acre to about 2.8 acres, and an 11.3-acre site where 362 apartments are proposed.

Ground broke on the Woodmen East project last April. Site work appeared to be ongoing on Friday.

Project consultant Atwell, with offices throughout Colorado, including in Denver, did not return The Gazette’s voicemails seeking more information.

Chick-fil-A’s expansion along the Woodmen Road corridor will continue a booming trend of commercial and residential development there.

McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Starbucks, Jersey Mike’s, Bad A– Coffee, Big O tires, AutoZone and a Quick Quack car wash are among the businesses now open at the intersection of Woodmen and Marksheffel roads.

A 378-unit apartment project also is under construction southeast of Woodmen and Marksheffel.

Farther east, in Falcon, the Falcon Marketplace at Woodmen and Meridian roads boasts a King Soopers grocery store, Slim Chickens, Panda Express, Dutch Bros, Chipotle, Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, Discount Tires, Super Star Car Wash and more.