More chain restaurants coming to Somerset, Hunterdon

CENTRAL JERSEY – The range of dining options for area residents continues to expand as two national chains had been given permission to open outlets in Central Jersey while a third chain is asking for approval.

Texas Roadhouse has been given permission by North Plainfield to open in the former Ruby Tuesday near Costco on Route 22.

An application by Chick-fil-A, the largest quick-service chicken restaurant chain in the nation, to build an outlet on the site of the former Burger King on the Flemington Circle was approved this week by Flemington.

Chipotle will be appearing before the Watchung Board of Adjustment March 12 on an application to build a restaurant on eastbound Route 22 near Raymour & Flanigan.

The new eateries are continuing the recent revival of national chain restaurants here.

In the past six months, Popeye's has opened in the Marketplace at Manville, a drive-through Starbucks has opened on Route 22 in Green Brook, a Tim Horton's and Cold Stone Creamery have been approved on Route 28 just off the Somerville Circle in Raritan Borough and a remodeled Burger King has reopened on Route 206 in Hillsborough.

This will be the sixth Texas Roadhouse restaurant to open in New Jersey. The other outlets are in Old Bridge, Hamilton, Holmdel, Millville and Turnersville.

Founded in 1993 in Clarksville, Indiana, Texas Roadhouse has grown to more than 450 locations in 49 states and five international locations in the Middle East.

According to the company's website, steak accounts for 44 percent of the Texas Roadhouse menu.

In 2014, revenue at Texas Roadhouse jumped 11 percent to $1.5 billion.

The Chick-fil-A on the Flemington Circle will be the chain's first location in Hunterdon and Somerset counties. Other Central Jersey Chick-fil-A restaurants are in the Menlo Park and Woodbridge malls.

Chick-fil-A, with 1,850 outlets in 41 states, had annual sales of $5 billion in 2013, according to its website. The chain is privately owned.

Burger King has been closed since a grease fire damaged the restaurant in April 2011.

There are nine Chipotle restaurants in Central Jersey, but only one in Somerset County, at the Bridgewater Commons.

In 2014, revenue increased at Chipotle's 1,600 restaurants 27.8 percent to $4.11 billion.

Chipotle is asking Watchung for approval to construct a new building on the property, which would have indoor seating for 48 patrons and outdoor seating for 24 customers.

Staff Writer Mike Deak: 908-243-6607; mdeak@mycentraljersey.com