PLACERVILLE — Chick-fil-A’s name and logo recently appeared in leasing materials for the Crossings at El Dorado, a 58-acre retail project at the Missouri Flat Road interchange of U.S. Highway 50 — a sign brokers are marketing the site to quick-service restaurants but not proof a restaurant is coming.
Key facts, timeline and context
-
Leasing brochures for Crossings at El Dorado now show Chick-fil-A among prospective tenants for pad sites at the northwest corner of Highway 50 and Missouri Flat Road. That information was first reported in local business press and covered by Hoodline and the Sacramento Business Journal this week.
-
The Crossings development is marketed as a ±58-acre retail community with pad and shop space and “drive-through potential,” language used directly in broker marketing materials. Brokers say the packets are used to attract interest and do not equal a signed lease.
-
The Crossings site has long been part of the county’s Missouri Flat planning area and is tied to roadway and circulation improvements intended to handle added traffic from new retail. County plans and project documents referenced the Crossings in environmental and circulation planning materials.
-
Separately, the county’s public engagement pages show the Crossings project underwent a revision process this year that includes possible alternate uses for portions of the site (including an RV resort/campground and hotel components), meaning the final mix of retail pads and drive-thrus could change as the project moves through public hearings. The revision page lists the county project planner and the application status as under review or at public hearing in 2025.
Why the leasing packet matters — and where it falls short
Real-estate marketing packets routinely list national chains that would be good fits for a site; the presence of a brand in those materials signals broker outreach and demand more than a finalized deal. As Hoodline noted, “marketing sheets for the drive-thru pad appear before a restaurant commits.” Until a lease is signed, a local operator named and building permits are filed, announcements are tentative.
CBRE, the listing broker for the Crossings pads, highlights the property’s highway access, multiple curb cuts and “drive-through potential,” and notes significant tourist traffic from Lake Tahoe, Apple Hill and other nearby destinations — factors that would make the site attractive to quick-service brands. “Pad and Shop Space available — Drive-through potential,” reads the broker’s listing.
Local impact if Chick-fil-A signs on
If Chick-fil-A ultimately signs a lease and builds at Crossings:
-
The chain would add a highway-accessible quick-service option for commuters, tourists and residents, likely increasing lunchtime and weekend traffic at the intersection.
-
New jobs (typically entry-level and part-time positions) would follow, along with increased sales tax receipts for the county once open.
-
Conversely, more drive-through traffic could increase demand on local roadways; the Missouri Flat Master Circulation plan anticipates improvements to handle growth, but timing matters for residents and commuters.
What to watch next (how to verify a confirmed location)
-
County permit filings — a building permit or grading permit filed with the El Dorado County Planning & Building Department is a strong signal that construction will follow. The county’s public notices and project pages list application numbers and planner contacts.
-
Broker or landlord announcement — CBRE or the leasing broker will typically post a lease announcement when a national tenant signs. The Crossings listing is maintained on CBRE/LoopNet/Crexi pages.
-
A Chick-fil-A press release — Chick-fil-A usually announces new restaurants only after an operator and permits are in place; a corporate or local owner-operator statement would be definitive.
Voices in the record
Leasing materials for the property emphasize the site’s suitability for drive-through restaurants and tourist traffic; the CBRE listing notes the Crossings’ “drive-through potential” and “excellent access via four curb-cuts and two signals.” Those are broker statements, not developer or corporate confirmations.
Bottom line
Local leasing materials show Chick-fil-A as a prospective tenant at Crossings at El Dorado, which is a clear signal that brokers are marketing drive-thru pads to the chain. That is not the same as a signed lease, a disclosed local operator, or building permits — all of which would be required before construction or an opening can be reliably reported. Residents should expect announcements either from the county (permit filings), the leasing broker (lease announcement) or Chick-fil-A itself when the project advances beyond marketing.
