Chick-fil-A to close UNM location following 2026–27 academic year

Chick-fil-A has informed The University of New Mexico that it plans to close its campus location at the end of the 2026-27 academic year, with the restaurant expected to remain open through June 2027.

The decision comes as Chick-fil-A changes how it operates many of its campus and other nontraditional locations across the country. As part of that strategy, the company is transitioning many licensed locations to restaurants owned and operated by individual franchisee/Operators. The UNM location will not transition to that model.

Chick-fil-A shared the following regarding the decision:

"As part of Chick-fil-A's ongoing business strategy to support and expand local ownership opportunities, Chick-fil-A will transition many existing licensed venues to franchisee/Operator-owned venues. If Chick-fil-A chooses not to convert an existing licensed venue, the location will permanently close."

The restaurant will remain open throughout the 2026-27 academic year with no changes to its regular operations and is expected to close at the end of June 2027.

Looking Ahead

UNM Food and Aramark have already begun planning for the future of the space. Evaluating restaurant partnerships and introducing new dining concepts are ongoing parts of managing the university's dining program and ensuring dining offerings continue to reflect the needs and preferences of the campus community.

UNM Food and Aramark are exploring concepts and restaurant partners that offer quality, value, convenience and broad appeal for students, faculty, staff and visitors. A chicken-focused concept is expected to be among the options considered, while allowing flexibility to identify the best overall fit for campus.

Campus input will be an important part of that process. In the coming weeks, UNM Food and Aramark will distribute a survey inviting students, faculty and staff to share feedback on the dining options, experiences and concepts they would like to see in the space. That input will help inform the evaluation and planning already underway.

The transition is anticipated to begin in Summer 2027, with the goal of opening a new dining concept for the Fall 2027 semester. Additional updates will be shared as plans are finalized.