News Summary
Parker’s Kitchen, a gas station and convenience store chain, is expanding into Northeast Florida with plans to open multiple locations in Jacksonville by late 2026. The company has submitted applications for new stores at several sites, including a former KFC and CVS pharmacy, emphasizing their commitment to providing Southern comfort food and quality customer service. With a focus on high-quality offerings, Parker’s Kitchen aims to redefine the convenience store landscape in the region.
Jacksonville, Florida – Parker’s Kitchen, a popular gas station and convenience store chain known for its Southern comfort food, is making significant strides in expanding its reach into Northeast Florida. The company, which operates over 100 stores throughout Georgia and South Carolina, plans to open at least four new locations in the Jacksonville area by the third quarter of 2026.
As part of its expansion initiative, Parker’s Kitchen has submitted a pre-application to the St. Johns River Water Management District for a new store at the closed Baymeadows KFC located at 8761 Baymeadows Road. This site, which is on the market for $1.7 million, spans 3,016 square feet and occupies 0.56 acres. This proposed location marks the closest Parker’s Kitchen to Jacksonville, with the nearest existing store situated 32 miles north in Kingsland, Georgia.
In addition to the Baymeadows location, Parker’s Kitchen is in the midst of civil engineering plans for another outlet at 9100 Atlantic Blvd., which was formerly a CVS pharmacy. The proposed Atlantic Blvd. site is envisioned as a larger 6,344-square-foot convenience store featuring ten fueling pumps and twenty fueling positions on a 2.13-acre plot. These plans are being developed by DPC-FL LLC, led by Drayton-Parker Companies LLC, with civil engineering services provided by England-Thims & Miller Inc. of Jacksonville.
As of December 2024, Parker’s Kitchen anticipates the launch of these new gas station and convenience store locations, with the first four planned sites being:
- 7481 Wilson Blvd. at Old Middleburg Road North in West Jacksonville.
- 11205 Alta Drive north of Interstate 295 in North Jacksonville.
- Blanding and Tanglewood boulevards in Orange Park, Clay County.
- 76010 William Burgess Blvd. in Wildlight, Yulee, Nassau County.
The company is also exploring additional locations in locations such as Clay County at U.S. 17 and Creighton Road, along with a site at 2121 Constitution Drive in Fleming Island. Furthermore, a proposed location is under consideration in St. Johns County, specifically along County Road 210, situated a mile west of the Beachwalk community. In total, Parker’s Kitchen is reportedly evaluating ten potential sites, including five in Duval County, three in Clay County, and one each in Nassau and St. Johns Counties.
Parker’s Kitchen aims to redefine the convenience store landscape by emphasizing high-quality products alongside excellent customer service. The chain is well-known for its Southern comfort food offerings, which include daily baked biscuits, catfish, grits, chicken tenders, and more, making it a go-to spot for locals and travelers alike.
Founded in 1976 by CEO Greg Parker in Midway, Georgia, Parker’s Kitchen has since grown to employ nearly 1,800 individuals across its existing locations. The company has a strong commitment to community service, particularly in supporting charitable initiatives for injured veterans and various local nonprofits.
The expansion into Jacksonville and nearby markets aligns with Parker’s Kitchen’s long-term strategy, which was highlighted in an April 2025 announcement detailing ambitions to further extend its reach with additional sites in Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Columbia, S.C. Through these continued efforts, Parker’s Kitchen is looking to solidify its presence in the growing convenience store industry.
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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.
