Dave’s Hot Chicken Is Replacing a Former Wendy’s in Edina
Edina continues to see changes in its retail and restaurant landscape. The latest update brings a nationally known hot chicken brand to a familiar corner of the city. Dave’s Hot Chicken is set to open a new location at Yorktown Mall, taking over the former Wendy’s site at 3301 Hazleton Road.
From Longtime Wendy’s to Hot Chicken Favorite
The Wendy’s at Yorktown Mall served Edina for nearly forty years before closing earlier this year. Its closure was part of a broader nationwide reduction by the fast food chain. The vacant end cap space created an opportunity for a new concept with strong demand and built in foot traffic.
Dave’s Hot Chicken plans to fully reuse the space, including the drive thru. That detail matters. Drive thru access remains one of the most valuable features for quick service restaurants in the Twin Cities, especially in suburban markets like Edina.
Why Dave’s Hot Chicken Chose Edina
Dave’s Hot Chicken started as a small pop up in Los Angeles and has grown rapidly across the country. Minnesota has become a major focus for the brand. The Edina location will be the seventh in the state, and the franchise group has publicly shared plans to grow to thirty locations statewide.
Edina offers high household incomes, consistent traffic, and strong demand for fast casual dining. Yorktown Mall already attracts daily visitors through fitness, retail, and food tenants, making it a strategic choice for continued expansion.
What This Means for Yorktown Mall
Yorktown Mall has steadily evolved to stay competitive while other strip centers struggle with vacancies. Adding a popular restaurant concept helps stabilize the center and increases overall foot traffic for neighboring businesses. It also signals confidence in Edina’s commercial market.
For residents, this means more dining variety without leaving the neighborhood. For property owners and buyers, it is another sign of continued investment in established Edina retail corridors.
Looking Ahead
Dave’s Hot Chicken is expected to open in late spring. Once open, it will bring a new dining option to a site many locals already know well.
If you are curious how developments like this impact Edina neighborhoods and home values, I keep a close eye on it all.
