After several months of debate at City Council, Bonita Springs will officially be getting a Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen. Founded in New Orleans in 1972, Popeye’s is known for it’s spicy and crispy fried chicken.

On Monday, December 17th, Bonita Springs City Council voted in favor of the new Popeye’s location, just South of Bonita Beach Road on Tamiami Trail.

The current zoning law states that any new business must be at least 500 feet from any existing fast food location. This zoning ordinance was in place to keep from having an entire street of fast food restaurants. The new Popeye’s location did not meet this criteria, with a Wendy’s being next-door.

Here’s the catch: the building that Popeye’s wanted to purchase was originally a Burger King from 1986 to 2006. After that, a CitiBank purchased the building, where they operated until 2015. The building has sat vacant ever since. Since the building was originally used as a fast food restaurant, Bonita Springs City Council did not think the 500 foot rule should apply.

Against the advice of the zoning board, City Council voted to amend the zoning laws to accommodate the new Popeye’s location.

The exact location of the building is on the West side of Tamiami Trail, between Wendy’s and KFC.