What’s the deal with Popeyes and Arby’s?

BLAIRSVILLE, Ga –  Councilmember Mary Ruth Cook inquired bout the status of Popeyes and Arby’s.  The two restaurants expected to open in downtown Blairsville, but have met with setbacks either in construction or development contracts.

The status of the new Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen is a hot topic in the community due to the building sitting dormant for months. Fetch Your News has heard rumors of illegal workers to the building it sinking for the stall in construction. However, Cook asked Downtown Development (DDA) Program Manager Darren Harper for an official update.

“As far as I know Popeyes is waiting on kitchen equipment that’s on backorder,” said Harper, “the building is done, the power is connected. It’s just a matter of them getting the parts and pieces into place.”

Harper expects Popeyes to pick construction back up after the first of the year because the holidays slow everything down.

Additionally, Cook asked about the ongoing contract negotiations with Arby’s Restaurant. The DDA gave Arby’s developer GLM three contract extensions to try and come to an agreement about the price of land. Previously, the DDA rejected a proposal from GLM to drop the price by $93,230 due to a geotechnical reported that revealed water near the surface of the Pat Haralson land lot.

“Because this is a corporately owned store, the builder has to go back to the corporate board and say hey, the cost of us running this restaurant is going to be slightly higher due to the price,” explained Harper.

DDA granted the fourth extension in its last meeting to give the developers time to discuss the approval or rejection of the current offer. Harper expects Arby’ to decide by Dec. 17th or 18th. DDA is hopeful that the deal will go through because of Arby’s interest. If approved, the developers will have 30 days to close.

City council meetings will continue to be held on the first Tuesday of the month.

Due to safety concerns, city hall will receive a new parking lot and remove the concrete pad, eliminating the drop-off on the walk between the building and the police department.