McCandless Crossing Update: Three More Restaurants Commit

The developers of McCandless Crossing  have confirmed three new restaurants have committed to the project, adding to another three, which signed on late last year.

"We have commitments from Panera Bread , Chipotle , and First Watch ," Kevin Dougherty of Adventure Development told KDKA-TV. 

The Panera Bread will likely include a drive-through option. Franchise owner Covelli Enterprises of Warren, Ohio sought, and won from McCandless Town Council an amendment to an ordinance, which prohibits drive-through restaurants along the stretch of McKnight Road that borders the fourth and final phase of the McCandless Crossing development. 

Bruce Betty, McCandless Land Use Administrator, said there are limitations to the amendment to discourage a typical fast-food restaurant. 

“To make sure it’s a restaurant like a Panera, for example we have a minimum square footage of 4,400 square feet, they have to a lounge area at least 400 square feet," he said. "Traditionally with drive through restaurants, between 60 and 80-percent of their business is drive through. But for a Panera or a Panera-like business, their drive through is between 30 and 40-percent of their business.”

Panera, Chipotle, and First Watch will join Longhorn Steakhouse, Bonefish Grill, and Carrabba's Italian Grill , which committed to McCandless Crossing late last year. 

Talks are underway for three additional restaurants in the area along McKnight Road, Dougherty told KDKA-TV.

What other restaurants would you like to see come to McCandless Crossing? Tell us in the comments box below.

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