Maricopa’s restaurant pipeline keeps growing. Here’s what’s confirmed under construction, what’s still working through permitting and what may never make it to a plate. 

On deck 

Buffalo Wild Wings: BDubs is finally rising at 17819 N. Stonegate Road after the Atlanta-based sports bar broke ground this spring. The 7,644-square-foot restaurant will seat up to 280 patrons indoors, plus a shaded patio built for gameday crowds.  

Burrito Express: Tempe-based Burrito Express plans to open a third Maricopa location at 18141 N. John Wayne Parkway. Owner Angel Marin said the made-to-order concept, with hand-shredded meats and made-from-scratch salsa, is part of a plan to expand into 31 Circle Ks statewide by May 2027. 

Chipotle Mexican Grill: Maricopa’s second location broke ground in late May at Legacy on Porter, the new retail center rising east of Walmart on Porter Road. Shell construction should be completed by the start of 2027 with locals digging into burrito bowls by mid-2027. 

Einstein Bros. Bagels: Fresh bagels are getting closer for Maricopa, with a location under construction at South Bridge Marketplace on John Wayne Parkway and Honeycutt Avenue. 

HTeaO: The Texas-based tea chain known for its wall of flavor mix-ins, is confirmed for Legacy on Porter and construction is underway. 

Jersey Mike’s Subs: Construction is underway at the Legacy on Porter retail center, 17571 N. Porter Road. Shell construction should be completed by the start of 2027. 

Orlie’s Taproom: This long-awaited craft beer bar cleared a big hurdle in May when crews broke ground at Legacy on Porter. The 1,500-square-foot taproom will feature indoor and outdoor seating and a garage door opening onto the patio. An opening is planned for mid-2027. 

Panda Express: Construction finally began on the Asian fusion’s new location off Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway and Stonegate Road. The 2,700-square-foot drive-thru will sport a modernized pagoda roof with LED lighting. 

Panera Bread: The cafe is taking shape at South Bridge Marketplace, on the northeast corner of John Wayne Parkway and Honeycutt Avenue. Updated site plans show a 2,400-square-foot restaurant with a drive-thru, outdoor seating and a brick facade. 

Someburros: The Tempe-based chain is on track for a fall opening with a soft and grand opening planned at its location on 42618 W. Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway, President Tim Vasquez told InMaricopa in July.  

Starbucks: Maricopa’s fourth Starbucks, and only its second freestanding location, is under construction at Stonegate Plaza, next door to the future Someburros. It will be the first Starbucks off the city’s main commercial strip. Contractors earlier this year estimated the coffee chain will open by the end of the year. 

Swig: Maricopa is getting its first Swig, the Utah-based drive-thru chain known for dirty sodas, cookies and energy drinks. The soda shop is currently under construction at Legacy on Porter.  

Tropical Smoothie Cafe: Maricopa’s next smoothie hot spot, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, is currently under construction at South Bridge Marketplace. An opening has not been announced.  

Simmering 

Black Rock Coffee Bar: Black Rock filed sign permits in May for its drive-thru at 20265 N. John Wayne Parkway, immediately south of Sherwin Williams. Construction has not started.  

Farmer Boys Restaurant: Not much progress has occurred since the Riverside, Calif.-based burger chain first submitted paperwork for a Maricopa location last year. Its location along Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway is still listed as “under review” on the city’s website.  

Filiberto’s Mexican Food: After years of false starts, the Mesa-based chain submitted plans last fall for a 2,000-square-foot drive-thru restaurant at Honeycutt and Whisker Roads. 

Zzeek’s Pizza: The Ahwatukee-based pizzeria had a rocky start but returned in June with a new site plan after the city adopted a cost-sharing ordinance. A construction timeline has not been confirmed.  

Probably 86’d 

Wendy’s: The Baconator’s second Maricopa location, 41980 W. Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway, hasn’t shown public movement since it submitted a pre-application package last spring and the location is not listed on the City’s development page.  

This story was first published in the September issue of InMaricopa.