News Summary
Habit Burger & Grill plans to open its first Jacksonville location by late 2025 at the former Bojangles site on Beach Blvd. The fast-casual restaurant will feature a drive-thru and seating for 30 customers. In addition to this site, two more locations are in development, expected to create around 40 jobs. Habit Burger & Grill, known for its chargrilled burgers, is part of Yum! Brands and aims to enhance the local food culture.
Jacksonville is set to welcome its first Habit Burger & Grill location by late 2025. The new restaurant is slated to open at the former Bojangles site located at 13559 Beach Blvd. The Jacksonville City Council recently approved a building permit on May 6 for renovation work, which is estimated to cost approximately $715,518.
The 3,875-square-foot fast-casual restaurant will feature a drive-thru facility and seating for up to 30 customers. Construction is currently being managed by Falcon Franchise Construction LLC, based in Fort Lauderdale, with the design being produced by Lingle Design Group from Lena, Illinois.
Additional Locations Planned
In addition to the Beach Blvd. location, Habit Burger & Grill has plans for two more restaurants in the Jacksonville area. A second site is proposed for North Jacksonville at 15022 Max Leggett Parkway, conveniently located next to BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse. This site is currently undergoing review, and a service availability determination letter has been issued by municipal utility JEA.
The third proposed restaurant is targeted for 9171 Baymeadows Road, where it will convert a former Arby’s location. This establishment is projected to cost about $843,504 and will cover an area of 3,517 square feet, with seating anticipated for 76 customers.
Renovations and Features
All three restaurant locations will undergo exterior renovations, including paint finishes and landscaping enhancements. Interior improvements will focus on new equipment and furniture for the dining areas. Notably, the River City Marketplace design will incorporate a drive-thru lane capable of stacking at least 10 vehicles, along with surface parking for 27 vehicles.
Company Background
Habit Burger & Grill, established in 1969 in Santa Barbara, California, is a fast-casual restaurant chain best known for its freshly chargrilled burgers, chicken, and tuna, all cooked-to-order over an open flame, in addition to its salads and shakes. The company currently operates a total of 12 locations in Florida, primarily in South Florida, including a location in Clearwater.
In March 2020, Habit Burger & Grill was acquired by Yum! Brands, the parent company that also owns KFC, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut, for $375 million. As of now, the chain has expanded to over 380 restaurants across 14 states.
Job Creation and Community Impact
When the Jacksonville location is fully operational, it is expected to create approximately 40 jobs, contributing positively to the local economy. A company representative confirmed that the Jacksonville restaurant is currently in the early stages of planning, reflecting the brand’s excitement about the area’s developing food culture.
Conclusion
The upcoming Habit Burger & Grill location marks a significant expansion for the brand into the Jacksonville market, signaling a commitment to growth and job creation while introducing its signature chargrilled offerings to new customers.
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Additional Resources
- Jax Daily Record: Habit Burger Approved for Baymeadows
- Jacksonville.com: Habit Burger Planning First Jacksonville Restaurant
- Jax Daily Record: Habit Burger Approved to Convert Bojangles
- USA Today: Habit Burger & In-N-Out Billboard Story
- Jacksonville.com: Habit Burger Planning 3 Jacksonville Restaurants
- Wikipedia: Habit Burger Grill
- Google Search: Habit Burger Jacksonville
- Google Scholar: Habit Burger
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Habit Burger
- Google News: Habit Burger Jacksonville
Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER
The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
