More dining options are on the way for northern Charlotte County, where Chick-fil-A and Texas Roadhouse plan to open new restaurants in early 2026.
The Charlotte County Planning and Zoning Board on Oct. 13 approved a developer’s request to modify zoning for the Cranberry Commons subdivision, clearing the way for construction of the two eateries.
Sarasota-based JBCC Cranberry & 41 LLC, represented by attorney Robert Berntsson of the Big W Law Firm, owns several outparcel lots along a larger parcel already occupied by a Kia dealership and the HCA Florida Healthcare free-standing emergency room. Two of those outparcels will become home to Chick-fil-A and Texas Roadhouse.
Site plans for the new Chick-fil-A in northern Charlotte County show a 5,304-square-foot restaurant at the Cranberry Commons development.
Charlotte County government
Plans call for a 5,304-square-foot Chick-fil-A on 2.4 acres and an 8,400-square-foot Texas Roadhouse on 2.3 acres. While Port Charlotte already has a Chick-fil-A at 1814 South Tamiami Trail, this will be the first Texas Roadhouse in Charlotte County.
Site plans for the zoning changes were submitted in May, reviewed by planning staff and recommended for approval before moving to the Planning and Zoning Board.
Principal Planner Jie Shao provided background on the development, noting the restaurant parcels border a large tract that is now home to 333 multifamily units under construction as part of the Livano Charlotte Harbor apartment community.
Two outparcels at the Cranberry Commons subdivision, shown in red, will become sites for Chick-fil-A and Texas Roadhouse restaurants.
Charlotte County government
The two restaurants are part of JBCC’s 29-acre development, which includes five total lots. Chick-fil-A will occupy Lot 3, while Texas Roadhouse will be built on Lot 2-A.
Berntsson said the remaining commercial lots are zoned for future businesses, such as a self-storage facility, bank or car wash.
The area has seen rapid growth in recent years, with major residential and commercial projects underway. Across U.S. 41 sits West Port, a large mixed-use community, while the city of North Port borders the restaurant sites to the north and east.
A rendering shows the exterior design of the planned Texas Roadhouse restaurant, which will be Charlotte County’s first location.
Charlotte County government
Development in the area began in 2014, when final site plans for the Kia dealership were approved. The 11,000-square-foot emergency room followed in 2022, and plans for the Livano Charlotte Harbor luxury apartments were approved in early 2024.
The next step for the project will be an adoption hearing before the Board of County Commissioners on Nov. 25, when JBCC Cranberry & 41 LLC’s final detailed site plan is expected to be considered for approval.