Courtesy, Chuy’s
We’ve been hearing rumors that a popular Mexican restaurant chain has its eyes on Fayetteville for a potential new location, and those rumors are now looking a lot more like trumors.
Chuy’s Opco, Inc, the parent company for Austin-based Tex-Mex chain Chuy’s, have filed for permits for work on the building at 642 E. Millsap Road in north Fayetteville, according to state health department records. The building is currently home to Colton’s Steakhouse.
County property records show a survey and site plan prepared by engineering firm Olsson for the Chuy’s parent company, dated Feb. 23.
Site plan showing a building with associated parking at 642 E. Millsap Road
We reached out to Chuy’s back in December in response to a tip that the chain was planning a Fayetteville restaurant, and a representative from the company’s marketing team confirmed the brand was looking at locations in the city, but that nothing had been finalized.
Chuy’s got its start in 1982 in Austin, Texas, and was founded by entrepreneurs Mike Young and John Zapp who, according to their website, had “had a vision of a fun and funky Tex-Mex restaurant that served authentic and fresh food in an atmosphere that appealed to everyone.”
The restaurant’s menu focuses on traditional Tex-Mex fare, including tacos, burritos, enchiladas, fajitas, and other items.
The chain opened its first Arkansas location in Little Rock in 2013, followed by a location in Rogers in 2014. At the time, Chuy’s officials said they were looking for a spot for a Fayetteville location. Eight years later, it looks like they may have finally found one.
The restaurant chain currently operates about 100 restaurants across 20 states, mostly concentrated in Texas and around the South.
We reached back out to the marketing contact at Chuy’s on Tuesday, and requested more information on when the company plans to open in Fayetteville.
We also reached out to Colton’s Steakhouse to learn more about their plans. We’ll add that information to this post once we hear back from them.
