KFC, Taco Bell set to take over former Family Video building

CHEBOYGAN — Officials are working on a proposal to bring two new fast-food restaurants to Cheboygan.

The goal is to revamp the building at 245 Mill St. that once housed a Family Video store and turn it into a KFC and Taco Bell.

The long vacant building of approximately 6,000 square feet will be developed into two drive-thru restaurants and retail space. One current driveway on Mill Street will be eliminated due to heavy traffic congestion in the area and 20 parking spaces will be added. In addition, the outside of the building will be modified to improve the appearance and match the corporate requirements of the two franchises. Some additional landscaping will also be added.

Recently, the city’s planning commission and city council, upon the recommendation of city manager and zoning administrator Dan Sabolsky, approved a proposed site plan with one condition. The southern drive-thru will need approval of the city’s zoning board of appeals. Current zoning ordinances allow for one drive-thru per building and this proposed development will require two.

The retail space between the Taco Bell and KFC will total about 2,000 square feet.

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"As a Taco Bell franchise business based in Northern Michigan for more than 30 years, we are excited to bring Taco Bell to Cheboygan. We want to thank everyone involved with this project for working with us and can't wait to be a part of the community," Rodney Walker of 7 Bells LLC said in a statement.

“The citizens of the community have been wanting a Taco Bell and other fast-food options for years and the city council and staff added it to our list of priorities. We are thrilled that 7 Bells has decided to invest in our community," added Mayor Brett Mallory.

Sabolsky said both restaurants are aiming for a fall opening.

— Contact Paul Welitzkin at pwelitzkin@gaylordheraldtimes.com.