04 Jan Wichita developer moving forward with plans for Maize Road Popeyes
Mitesh Patel’s plans to expand a national chicken restaurant chain’s local presence are progressing in northwest Wichita.
The developer told the WBJ on Tuesday that he recently closed on land in front of the Sam’s Club at 29th Street and Maize Road and aims to start the permitting process soon for a new Popeyes at the location
In June, Patel shared that — with his son, Sumit Patel, and their Mid-Chkn LLC — he had signed a franchise agreement for 16 new Popeyes restaurants in Kansas over the next five years, with about half of those in the Wichita area.
“We are looking at a few other locations right now in Wichita to purchase, but that has not been finalized yet,” said Patel, who said he will open a new Popeyes in Hays early this year.
Patel said he hopes to start work in the next two months, but has not yet tabbed a builder for the Maize Road project. He said a targeted opening date is to be determined.
According to county documents, local development group Mountain Pass Investments LLC, which includes Landmark Commercial Real Estate’s Brad Saville and Scott Harper, sold the land to Mid-Chkn in a deal that closed in November. Stryv Bank provided financing.
The Popeyes will go up on the land — about three-quarters of an acre — between the Dunkin and IHOP on the east side of Maize Road.
New restaurant activity continue to be robust near 29th and Maize, to the south and north.
While the Torchy’s Tacos in the area recently closed suddenly, there have also been several openings in the last year — including the Dunkin neighboring the future Popeyes site and Wichita’s first Dutch Bros and Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux locations.
Popeyes, which is a part of Restaurant Brands International, has five locations in Wichita and more than 3,900 restaurants in the U.S. and around the world. The nearest west-side location is at Central and West.
Patel, who also develops hotels, previously shared that Mid-Chkn’s new Popeyes would feature the quick-service restaurant’s newest design, which will include new interiors and exteriors, a smaller indoor footprint and a double drive-through.
Article by Josh Witt and Shelby Kellerman from the Wichita Business Journal.
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