News

Aug 06, 2023

Maple Grove Receives Proposal for Dave’s Hot Chicken, Hope Breakfast Bar

Maple Grove has received a plan for two new restaurants in, but planning commission members want to pause the plan to study the traffic impact first. Edina-based Launch Properties offered the proposal

Maple Grove has received a plan for two new restaurants in, but planning commission members want to pause the plan to study the traffic impact first.

Edina-based Launch Properties offered the proposal to build a Dave’s Hot Chicken restaurant and a Hope Breakfast Bar on the north end of parking lot space where Floor & Decor, Malone’s Bar and Grill and Red Lobster are located. Floor & Decor replaced the AMC movie theater last year.

According to industry research firm Technomic, Dave’s Hot Chicken was recently named America’s fastest-growing restaurant chain. The firm determined the restaurant’s 156 percent growth in systemwide sales year-over-year outpaced every other chain nationwide.

The developer also touted Hope Breakfast Bar, which was founded in 2019 in St. Paul by chef Brian Ingram.

“We think it’s going to do very well,” said Dan Regan, founder of Launch Properties. “We’ve heard from the public about their excitement for it.”

Rendering of Dave’s Hot Chicken

During a Maple Grove Planning Commission meeting this week, much of the focus shifted to Dave’s Hot Chicken and the amount of traffic the chain could generate. Commission members pointed out the lines at the Minnetonka location.

“This can be another [Raising] Cane’s,” said Mike Ostaffe, Maple Grove Planning Commission member. “I don’t think anybody wants to have that type of traffic issue that basically just completely mucks up an entire shopping area.”

Operators of Malone’s Bar and Grill, which is near the proposed development, also raised concerns, fearing bottlenecks at the Main Street-Elm Creek Boulevard intersection. According to city documents, that intersection would be the primary way for drivers to access the proposed restaurants.

“This plan scares me. We have an intersection that’s already in trouble, already overused,” said A.J. Stevens, co-owner of Malone’s.

Jupe Hale, Maple Grove’s assistant city engineer, says the four-way stop intersection could eventually get a traffic signal or turn into a roundabout. The time frame for that change is uncertain.

A concept plan approved in 2021 also calls for a future third restaurant on the western portion of the site, across from Rojo Mexican Grill.

In the end, the Maple Grove Planning Commission tabled the plan to allow for the developer to generate a parking and traffic study.

“If we’re going to pack more activity in here, we need to make sure it’s safe,” said Craig Lamothe, planning commission chair.

Malone’s Bar and Grill raised concerns about traffic impact

Maple Grove