It's a sign of the times: The sign on Reynolds Road in Johnson City that proclaims a Chick-fil-A restaurant really is "Coming Soon."

The Georgia-based company that claims to be "Home of the Original Chicken Sandwich" has been planning to dive into the Binghamton market for years.

The firm finally chosen two sites for its first local operations. One is in the Oakdale Commons in Johnson City and the other will be in the Town Square Mall in Vestal.

For years, it appeared Vestal would land the first Chick-fil-A in Broome County. But things haven't worked out that way.

The Oakdale Commons Key Bank branch closed in October and the building was demolished in November. The site was cleared for the restaurant development in recent months.

Workers and equipment at the future Chick-fil-A restaurant site at the Oakdale Commons in Johnson City on May 5, 2026. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
Workers and equipment at the future Chick-fil-A restaurant site at the Oakdale Commons in Johnson City on May 5, 2026. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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Now, workers from The Bannett Group of New Jersey have arrived in Johnson City and are moving quickly to build the Chick-fil-A. The banner advertising the new restaurant was posted on construction fencing that was being erected on Tuesday.

Bannett has built 30 other Chick-fil-A restaurants around the northeastern U.S. in recent years. The Johnson City location is expected to open in October.

The Johnson City Chick-fil-A will be located between Dick's House of Sort and Wegmans on Harry L. Drive. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
The Johnson City Chick-fil-A will be located between Dick's House of Sort and Wegmans on Harry L. Drive. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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The Vestal Chick-fil-A won't open this year. It will be built at the site of the closed Storming Crab restaurant next to a Taco Bell in the Town Square Mall on the Vestal Parkway. That Chick-fil-A is slated to go into operation next January.

WNBF NEWS VIDEO: A visit to the site of a future Chick-fil-A restaurant at the Oakdale Commons in Johnson City on May 5, 2026.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or call (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @bobjoseph.bsky.social on Bluesky or @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

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