Some changes are in the works at Merrifield’s Gatehouse Plaza, though it might take some time for them to come into effect.
Wendy’s, one of the shopping center’s original tenants, is slated to be replaced by Raising Cane’s, and the property owner wants to convert an existing building into a drive-thru bank.
Confirming a September report by the Washington Business Journal, a Raising Cane’s representative says the chain hopes to bring its “craveable” chicken fingers to 3040 Gate House Road in winter 2027.
The 3,501-square-foot building has been occupied since it was constructed in 1997 by Wendy’s, according to Fairfax County property records.
A Wendy’s spokesperson declined to comment on closures of specific locations because the “work is underway and ongoing.” However, interim CEO and Chief Financial Officer Ken Cook estimated during an earnings call last Friday (Nov. 7) that the company will close a “mid-single digit percentage” of U.S. restaurants in the foreseeable future.
That could amount to as many as 360 stores for a chain that still boasts nearly 6,000 locations nationwide, ABC News reported.
“We’re focused on improving restaurant level economics — taking a hard look at underperforming restaurants in our system, from both the financial and customer experience perspective, and working with franchisees to improve those, transfer those to another operator or potentially closing them,” Cook said.
Lynne Strobel, a land use agent with Walsh Colucci Lubeley Walsh who’s representing the Gatehouse Plaza owner, also described the plans to replace Wendy’s with Raising Cane’s as “still a work in progress.”
Started with a single restaurant that opened near Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge on Aug. 28, 1996, Raising Cane’s now boasts over 800 locations across the country. However, it’s only just beginning to make in-roads into Northern Virginia, with its first Fairfax County restaurant launching in Seven Corners in early October 2024.
As envisioned by founder Todd Graves, the chain’s menu consists almost entirely of chicken fingers, but it does offer a chicken sandwich as an a la carte alternative or a combo.
Additional drive-thru wanted for future bank
Gatehouse Plaza’s owner — an affiliate of the Florida-based real estate developer Silver Companies — is also looking to bring a bank back to the shopping center.
At Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik’s request, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors authorized staff on Oct. 28 to review an amendment to the county’s comprehensive plan that would allow an additional drive-through use at the shopping center for a “financial institution.”
The comprehensive plan for the Merrifield Suburban Center currently limits the land unit containing Gatehouse Plaza to four drive-through facilities: one for a bank, one for a vehicle service station and two for restaurants. However, a drive-through bank building at 3046 Gate House Plaza was converted in 2018 into a Starbucks that’s still in operation.
According to Palchik’s office, the property owner now wants “to reintroduce a financial institution to the property and bring the total number of drive-thrus to five,” requiring a revision to the comprehensive plan. In addition to Starbucks, Panda Express and Sunoco have drive-thru functions.
The additional drive-thru use is specifically being considered for the commercial building at 3058 Gate House Plaza — the address that belonged to Uno Pizzeria and Grill until it closed in late January.
The Board of Supervisors directed staff to begin reviewing the proposed plan amendment once Silver Companies submits an application to amend the 2018 special exception that paved the way for Starbucks.
Strobel says she’s currently working with a civil engineer on an application that they hope to file by the end of this year.
At the Board of Supervisors meeting, Palchik noted that her office coordinated with staff to add the plan amendment to their work program, and “concerns around transportation” were taken into account.
“The drive-through component is planned to be an ATM only, so [it will draw] limited traffic,” Strobel told FFXnow. “In fact, the overall number of trips associated with the use will be lower than the restaurant. The bank will complement the restaurant uses as it will be closed in the evenings, when the restaurants are busiest.”
Gatehouse Plaza is located in the northwest quadrant of the Arlington Blvd and Gallows Road intersection. County staff have been developing plans for nearly a year now to redesign Gallows Road so it’ll be safer and more accessible for pedestrians, bicyclists and other travelers.
