Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

Applebee’s latest to choose Clovis

City officials say construction on a new Applebee’s will likely begin by the end of February. The restaurant will be located about a block west of North Prince Street on Llano Estacado Boulevard. (CNJ staff photo: Mike Linn)

Another national chain restaurant is scheduled to open in Clovis in the near future.

City officials said construction on an Applebee’s west of North Prince Street on Llano Estacado Boulevard will likely begin at the end of the month.

“They’re getting through the process now,” said Claire Burroughes, community relations director for Clovis. “It’s exciting news, wonderful news for Clovis. We’re also getting calls from other businesses which are showing interest in Clovis.”

The city’s director of building safety, Pete Wilt said he’s been getting a high number of phone calls from commercial architects with questions on building code. He said last week he received about six calls, and he typically receives between one and two a week. He said the architects rarely divulge who they are working for and what they plan to build.

On Monday Wilt signed off on Applebee’s application for a new commercial permit, but city officials and officials at Applebee’s were unaware when the eatery would be open for service.

The 5,326-square-foot restaurant would be located about a block west of North Prince Street, an area of town that has experienced a surge in commercial business growth.

Two other national chain restaurants — IHop and Chili’s on North Prince Street — opened doors to the public in 2004.

Applebee’s is headquartered in Overland Park, Kan., and has more than 1,600 restaurants in 49 states and 10 international countries, according to the company Web site.

Applebee’s is considered a casual-theme restaurant and is located in most major cities. There are two branches in Amarillo and one in Lubbock and Roswell.