As Portlanders juggle plans and meal options this Christmas Eve, an exciting development is capturing local attention: Chick-fil-A is set to return to Portland city limits for the first time in nearly 20 years. Scheduled to open in early 2026, the new restaurant will occupy the former Venue Gentleman’s Club property at 9950 Southeast Stark Street, just north of Mall 205. This redevelopment is far from conventional. Rather than building anew, Chick-fil-A plans to renovate the existing 1980s-era structure, preserving certain zoning allowances while transforming the space into a modern dining destination. Unusually for the fast-food chain, this location will operate without a drive-thru, a decision influenced by local zoning and land-use constraints. The redesigned interior will feature a sit-down dining area, a children’s play zone, restrooms, and an updated kitchen layout—all tailored to meet the needs of Portlanders eager for familiar flavors in a fresh setting.
The choice of this site—once an adult entertainment venue—highlights Portland’s evolving retail and dining landscape and signals a broader regional expansion strategy by Chick-fil-A. The company announced plans in late 2025 to open six locally owned and operated restaurants across Oregon by early 2027, creating over 600 jobs statewide. Besides Portland, future openings are expected in Cornelius, Tigard, and Wood Village.
While anticipation builds for Chick-fil-A’s grand reopening, many locals are currently focused on the immediate question: is Chick-fil-A open on Christmas Eve? Generally, Chick-fil-A restaurants open on Christmas Eve, often with reduced hours, but close entirely on Christmas Day. This year, with Christmas Eve falling on Wednesday and Christmas Day on Thursday, many are checking store-specific hours through official apps or websites. As always, holiday hours can vary by location due to staffing and franchise decisions, so confirming ahead is wise.
Looking beyond Chick-fil-A, other fast-food and casual dining chains commonly open on Christmas Eve include Burger King, Dunkin’, IHOP, McDonald’s, Starbucks (select locations), Taco Bell, and Domino’s (local discretion). However, Christmas Day sees many closures, underscoring Chick-fil-A’s consistent tradition of holiday closure.
For Portland residents, the return of Chick-fil-A at Mall 205 not only marks the reintroduction of a long-absent favorite but also offers a glimpse into the city’s dynamic food scene. Though the restaurant won’t be serving up holiday meals just yet, its upcoming arrival is a promising sign of growth and change in 2026 and beyond.
In the meantime, Portlanders should plan ahead for their Christmas Eve meals, keeping in mind closing times and checking availability to avoid any surprises. Whether grabbing a last-minute bite from familiar chains or preparing for Chick-fil-A’s exciting reentry, the holiday season in Portland remains full of flavor and anticipation.
