The second of three Jacksonville PDQ restaurants expected to be converted into the new “Saucy! by KFC” concept is in the Beach Haven area.
The city is reviewing a permit for the estimated $375,000 project to turn the PDQ restaurant at 3260 Hodges Blvd. at southwest Beach and Hodges boulevards into Saucy, a concept developed to focus on chicken tenders with 11 sauce options.
Sleiman Enterprises owns the almost 1-acre site. Property records show the almost 3,800-square-foot restaurant was built in 2013.
The first PDQ identified for Saucy is the restaurant at 4816 Gate Parkway near St. Johns Town Center. That 3,312-square-foot PDQ was built in 2017. The 1.65-acre site was sold in 2020 to a Boynton Beach limited liability company.
The city has been reviewing a permit application for that estimated $375,000 project.
KFC Corp. parent company Yum! Brands Inc. said Sept. 17 it bought the leases of three of the four PDQ locations in Northeast Florida, but only confirmed the Gate Parkway restaurant for Saucy.
The other two PDQs in Northeast Florida are in Bartram Park in Duval County and in Julington Creek in St. Johns County.
PDQ’s menu includes chicken tenders, chicken sandwiches and chicken salads.
PDQ site leases acquired
Yum! Brands issued a statement Sept. 17 that it acquired 13 PDQ restaurant site leases in Florida for future development of its several concepts that include Saucy by KFC.
“The company intends to transform the locations into concepts operated by Yum! Brands, including expansion of the test program for the new chicken tender concept Saucy! by KFC, consistent with previously communicated plans,” a spokesperson said in the statement.
Along with KFC, Yum Brands owns Habit Burger & Grill, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell, so the 13 could be converted into Saucy or one of those brands, according to the spokesperson.
“Yum! Brands is not buying the PDQ brand or IP,” the statement said. “This is a real estate transaction.”
Employees at affected locations have been notified by PDQ management, the statement said.
“They will be offered the opportunity to apply for a role at the new restaurants as the transition occurs over the coming months,” said the spokesperson.
The statement said the 13 leaseholds comprise four in Central Florida, three in North Florida and six on the state’s West Coast.
It did not provide addresses or cities.
PDQ is posting information about upcoming restaurant transitions in the Guest Care section of its eatpdq.com site, the spokesperson said, and the deal has no impact on PDQ restaurants other than the 13.
Tampa-based PDQ says on its website that it was founded in 2011 with locations in Florida, New Jersey, New York and North Carolina.
The eatpdq.com site shows 53 PDQ locations with 49 in Florida, three in North Carolina and one in New Jersey, including those in Jacksonville and Orlando expected to be converted.
The first Saucy location opened in December at 502 S. Alafaya Trail in Orlando.
The eatpdq.com site posted Aug. 31 that some of its PDQ locations “will soon be closing and reopening under the YUM! family of brands.”
It listed three Central Florida locations.
“This isn’t a goodbye to every location, but it is a heartfelt thank you for the moments we’ve shared together. From family dinners to shakes with friends, your support has meant the world to us. You’ve been part of something truly special, and for that we are so grateful.”
About Saucy
Saucy by KFC is operated by KFC Corp., a subsidiary of Yum! Brands Inc., with a corporate campus in Louisville, Kentucky, and two brand HQ campuses in Plano, Texas, and Irving, California.
KFC.com said Dec. 18, 2024, that the “bold new concept” celebrates “the star of every tenders meal: Sauce.”
Sauces include five flavors of ranch along with sweet and spicy, sweet and saucy barbecue, spicy mango chutney, creole honey mustard, sweet teriyaki and “Saucy’s Sauce.”
Also available are an EZ Crispy Sandwich, Spicy Queso Crunch Sandwich or combos that include a three-piece tenders combo with a toasted roll, fries, medium drink and choice of sauce for $7.99.
There are desserts and beverages, which include refreshers, lemonades, freezes and teas.