News Summary
The PDQ restaurant located at 3260 Hodges Blvd in Jacksonville is set to undergo a transformation into a new dining concept called Saucy! by KFC. The renovation, estimated to cost $375,000, is awaiting city approval. The new brand will focus on chicken tenders with a selection of 11 sauces. Though PDQ was established in 2013, this marks a significant shift under Yum! Brands, which has plans for multiple conversions across Northeast Florida. Staff from the existing PDQ will have opportunities to apply for new positions at the revamped locations.
Jacksonville is set to see its second PDQ restaurant transition into a new concept called Saucy! by KFC. The PDQ location, situated at 3260 Hodges Blvd in the Beach Haven area, is currently undergoing a conversion that is projected to cost approximately $375,000. This project is currently awaiting approval from the city.
Saucy by KFC is a new restaurant brand that primarily focuses on chicken tenders, offering diners 11 different sauce options to choose from. The space is owned by Sleiman Enterprises and covers nearly 1 acre, with the restaurant building itself encompassing around 3,800 square feet. This particular PDQ was originally established in 2013.
The first described conversion of a PDQ to Saucy is already in progress at a location on 4816 Gate Parkway, near the St. Johns Town Center, which was built in 2017. Yum! Brands, the parent company of KFC, recently acquired leases for three out of the four PDQ locations in Northeast Florida, indicating that the Gate Parkway site has been confirmed as one of the locations for the new restaurant concept. Additional PDQ locations exist in Bartram Park, Duval County, and in Julington Creek, St. Johns County.
On September 17, Yum! Brands announced the acquisition of leases for 13 PDQ restaurant site leases in Florida, which is part of a plan for future development under various restaurant concepts, including Saucy. Employees at the affected PDQ locations have been informed of the changes and will have the opportunity to apply for new positions at the transformed restaurants.
Founded in 2011, PDQ currently operates 53 locations, with a majority (49) situated in Florida and others located in North Carolina (3) and New Jersey (1). The first Saucy location debuted in December 2024, at 502 S. Alafaya Trail in Orlando. The menu of Saucy features a variety of offerings, including chicken tenders, sandwiches, salads, desserts, and beverages, with a strong emphasis on sauce options.
The diverse sauce selection includes five flavors of ranch as well as sweet and spicy options, spicy mango chutney, creole honey mustard, sweet teriyaki, and a unique offering known as “Saucy’s Sauce.” Customers are encouraged to create their own combinations with sauces and sides to enhance their dining experience.
Yum! Brands operates several well-known restaurant chains, including KFC, Habit Burger & Grill, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell. The City of Jacksonville is actively reviewing the permit application for the conversion of the Hodges Blvd. PDQ into the new Saucy concept.
While it is clear that not all PDQ locations will be rebranded as Saucy, the exact number of locations that will undergo this transformation has not yet been disclosed. As Yum! Brands continues its expansion efforts, local patrons can expect a modern dining experience focused on interactive flavor enjoyment.
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Additional Resources
- Jacksonville Daily Record
- News4Jax
- Southern Living
- KFC Newsroom
- Jacksonville Daily Record
- Wikipedia: Saucy
- Google Search: Saucy by KFC
- Google Scholar: Saucy by KFC
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Saucy by KFC
- Google News: Saucy by KFC
Author: STAFF HERE ORLANDO WRITER
ORLANDO STAFF WRITER The ORLANDO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOrlando.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Orlando, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, Megacon Orlando, and Central Florida Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Orlando Economic Partnership and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro Orlando, plus leading businesses in leisure and hospitality that power the local economy such as Walt Disney World Resort, AdventHealth, and Universal Orlando. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
