One of the South’s quintessential fast food restaurants is investing millions in a new distribution center in Lexington County.

Closing a deal that had been reported to be in the works, Chick-fil-A Supply, a wholly owned subsidiary that “supplements Chick-fil-A’s distribution network and allows the company to maintain greater flexibility within its supply chain,” will establish the center in the Saxe Gotha Industrial Park in West Columbia, per a release from the S.C. Department of Commerce, investing $80 million and creating 165 new jobs.

The “Lexington County facility will help ensure restaurants have the supplies to accommodate customers and will also address distribution complexities such as frequent, high-volume delivery, varied delivery environments and rapidly evolving needs,” the release states.

Operations at the facility are expected to begin in 2024. Those interested in jobs can find info at the company’s careers page.

“We would like to welcome Chick-fil-A Supply as a new partner here in Lexington County,” Lexington County Council Chairman Scott Whetstone is quoted. “We are very excited Chick-fil-A Supply chose to have their newest distribution site established here, which will create 165 quality jobs for our residents.”

County Council passed final approval Nov. 15 on an agreement for the company to pay the county a set fee in lieu of local property taxes, so long as it maintains the same investment and job numbers that were announced in the Nov. 21 release.

The State previously reported that the company is set to pay $3.5 million to the county for 68 acres of developable land and 32 acres on undevelopable land to bring the distribution center to Saxe Gothe.

“Our new distribution center in Lexington County provides us with a tremendous opportunity to grow our business and create jobs that will attract diverse talent from across the region,” Chick-fil-A Supply Executive Director Josh Grote is quoted. “We’re excited to expand our footprint in South Carolina with an investment in the local community that helps us serve our franchise operators, licensees and their teams.”

The release notes that the state Coordinating Council for Economic Development, which coordinates economic development efforts among 11 state agencies, approved job development credits related to the project.

“We are excited that Chick-fil-A Supply chose to locate its newest distribution center in Lexington County,” Gov. Henry McMaster is quoted. “The Midlands region – with its central location and infrastructure access – is an ideal location for a distribution operation of this magnitude. We look forward to the impact Chick-fil-A Supply will make in Lexington County, the Midlands and across South Carolina.” 

Saxe Gothe continues to be an economic driver for the county, with Nephron Pharmaceuticals set to expand its operations there with a nitrile glove plant scheduled to come online next month. The industrial park is also home to the county’s Amazon Fulfillment Center.