Everything We Know About the Proposed Chick-fil-A in Bozeman

If you’ve driven past the former MDT rest area near North 19th Avenue recently, you may have noticed activity, or at least heard some chatter. A proposal for a Chick-fil-A restaurant has entered the City of Bozeman’s development review process, and here’s what we know so far based on publicly available application materials.

Where Is the Proposed Chick-fil-A Located?

The proposed Chick-fil-A would be located northeast of the intersection of North 19th Avenue and East Valley Center Road, just south and west of Interstate 90. The site sits on the former Montana Department of Transportation rest area and is part of a larger planned development known as the Bridger Center Master Site Plan.

The property is zoned B-2 (Community Business District), which allows for commercial uses like restaurants and hotels.

What Is Being Proposed?

According to the submitted project narrative and site plan application, the proposal includes:

• Construction of a new fast-food restaurant with a dual drive-thru

• Approximately 5,300–6,300 square feet of building area

• One standalone building

• Indoor and outdoor seating

• On-site parking, utilities, landscaping, lighting, and pedestrian connections

The Chick-fil-A would be Phase 1 of a larger, two-phase development. A future hotel is planned for a later phase on the western portion of the site

What Will the Building Look Like?

The architectural narrative emphasizes compatibility with the surrounding area rather than heavy corporate branding.

Key design elements include:

• Board-and-batten siding, stucco, stone accents, and varied façade materials

• Multiple canopies and parapet detailing to break up building mass

• Articulation every 60 feet, meeting Bozeman Municipal Code standards

• Limited use of corporate branding elements

• Landscaping designed to soften the site and screen service areas

The building height is proposed at approximately 24 feet, which aligns with zoning requirements for the area.

What About Environmental and Site Constraints?

The site comes with a few notable considerations:

• Seasonally high groundwater, requiring the site to be raised for construction

• The property lies within the Bozeman Solvent Site, meaning no irrigation wells are allowed and excavation requires additional oversight

• Some existing trees could not be relocated due to size and root depth, though a small number were successfully donated locally

Stormwater will be handled through underground detention systems, and landscaping plans must meet the City’s updated water-efficient standards.

Is the Chick-fil-A Officially Approved?

Not yet.

While zoning has been approved and the application is well into the review process, final approval has not been granted. As with all development projects in Bozeman, details may change based on staff review, public input, or required revisions.

Looking for Updates on New Developments in Bozeman?

We regularly track new neighborhoods, commercial projects, zoning changes, and development applications across the Gallatin Valley. 

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