The proposed location of a Popeyes restaurant in Brick Township, N.J., Oct. 2022. (Photo: Daniel Nee)
Three fast food restaurants have been proposed for a busy Brick intersection – with another prospective fast food chain no longer expected to be built on the same property.
Developer Jack Morris is proposing the construction of buildings to house a Taco Bell, Burger King and a Bojangles restaurant near the Wawa store at the corner of Route 88 and Jack Martin Boulevard. The Wawa opened in 2021, with the township’s zoning board subsequently approving the construction of a Popeyes fast food restaurant next door.
The Popeyes location was never built, however, as the township placed a condition on the approval which would mandate “no left turns” out of the parking lot onto Route 88. Wranglings between the state Department of Transportation and Morris’ company have delayed the implementation of the “no left turn” rule, which in turn prevented the Popeyes from being constructed. The currently-proposed plan would scrap the Popeyes proposal entirely in favor of the three new restaurants.
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The 2,340 square foot Popeyes restaurant was supposed to have been eventually accompanied by another business – presumably a quick serve or fast food restaurant of some kind. The updated proposal contemplates all three being constructed, only without Popeyes being among them.
A Bojangles fast food restaurant in Hiawassee, Georgia. (Credit: Creative Commons/ Harrison Keely)
The proposed location of a Popeyes restaurant in Brick Township, N.J., Oct. 2022. (Photo: Daniel Nee)
Should the plan receive board approval, the property would house a 2,443 square foot Taco Bell fast food restaurant with a drive-thru lane, a pad for a 2,470 square foot Bojangles fast food restaurant with a drive-thru, and a 2,822 square foot pad for a Burger King fast food restaurant with a drive-thru. The planning notice states that all three restaurants are permitted in the zone.
The plan would also develop landscaping, lighting, as well as related site improvements to the overall property. Modifications are also proposed to the storm water collection inlets, and piping and will connect to the previously-approved and constructed storm drainage system for the site. The zoning board will be asked to approve minor signage variances related to the project, generally spurred by the presence of the drive-through lanes.
A modern Taco Bell restaurant design with drive-through. (Credit: Taco Bell)
While Taco Bell and Burger King are known commodities in the New Jersey market, Bojangles is slowly expanding into the Garden State. The chain, based in North Carolina, is known for Cajun-seasoned fried chicken and buttermilk biscuits. It operates 818 restaurants nationwide, primarily in the south. In recent years, Bojangles announced it would expand to New Jersey, California, Nevada and Arizona.
The hearing on the modification of the site plan and the proposed three restaurants will be heard at the board’s April 2, 2025 meeting, which is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the township municipal complex.
