2026 March issue of InMaricopa Magazine

BUSINESS

BRIEF

vacant for years after the plaza was built. Ono Hawaiian BBQ opened in that space in late January. The new drive-thru proposal signals a permanent Filiberto’s location is back in motion and that the company is prepared to absorb the infrastructure costs tied to the site. 4 Long John Silver’s The KFC/Long John Silver’s on John Wayne Parkway is set to be remodeled into a KFC-only restaurant, with all Long John Silver’s branding removed. Plans call for interior updates to the dining room and restrooms, exterior paint and signage upgrades, and refreshed drive-thru components, while the kitchen and drive- thru remain open during construction. The change reflects a broader national split between the brands after Yum! Brands sold Long John Silver’s in 2011. 5 Maricopa Entertainment Center The first phase of a new indoor-outdoor family entertainment venue includes roughly 24,500 square feet of indoor space and a 16,500-square-foot building footprint. Developer Scott Bartle purchased the 7.2-acre site in November. The center is planned for an empty lot between Copper Sky and La Quinta Inn & Suites on John Wayne Parkway and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, with a walkway connection to the park. Indoor features include duckpin bowling, arcade games, immersive gaming, climbing structures and simulator suites, plus a café, bar and mezzanine event space. Outdoor plans show mini golf, splash pad, go-karts, food carts and a performance stage. 6 Ono Hawaiian BBQ The Southern California-based chain opened Jan. 23 at Sonoran Creek Marketplace with a grand opening luau, ribbon cutting and long lines stretching past neighboring storefronts. Customers waited in lines that snaked around the building, also home to Crumbl Cookies, Jimmy John’s and MOD Pizza, as hula dancers performed outside. Many said they were excited to no longer drive to

at John Wayne Parkway and Smith-Enke Road weeks before the first store opened at Honeycutt and Porter Roads. Lighted signage and a “coming soon” notice were visible at the site in February. While the location sees steady traffic, a January InMaricopa.com poll ranked it the least popular or four Circle K stores in town, one yet unbuilt. Before expanding into Maricopa, Burrito Express had only one Pinal County location, in San Tan Valley less than 150 feet from the Maricopa County line. 3 Filiberto’s Mexican Food A Filiberto’s drive-thru is slated for a vacant parcel previously planned for Zzeek’s Pizza. That Valley chain withdrew in January after owners cited nearly $1 million in added infrastructure costs, including utilities and a deceleration lane. Filiberto’s had long been tied to a pad at Sonoran Creek Marketplace that sat

1 Burrito Express The Tempe-based chain sold 200 burritos in its first three hours Jan. 27 at its new location inside the Circle K at Honeycutt and Porter Roads, marking its Maricopa debut. The opening drew both praise and criticism online over the gas station setting. The company is already preparing a second Maricopa site inside the Circle K at John Wayne Parkway and Smith-Enke Road. Burrito Express operates similar in-store models in Gilbert and Queen Creek, citing faster expansion and lower overhead. Last month, the company announced plans for 16 additional Circle K locations across metro Phoenix, with another 10 to 15 approved for 2027, as it aims to scale to 200 locations. 2 Burrito Express Preparations for a second Maricopa location were underway inside the Circle K

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with the siren logo visible from multiple angles. It will be the first Starbucks located off the city’s main commercial strip. Contractors confirmed the coffee shop is expected to open later this year. 8 Zzeek’s Pizza The Ahwatukee-based chain scrapped plans for a location at Honeycutt and Whisker Roads despite clearing key zoning hurdles in 2025. Owner Mark “Zzeek” Pectol said nearly $1 million in added infrastructure costs, including

utilities and a deceleration lane, led the company to withdraw in November. “I just wasn’t feeling the love,” he said. Zzeek’s had first eyed Maricopa early in 2024 and would have opened its first Pinal County site. A Filiberto’s Mexican Food drive-thru is now slated for the property.

Phoenix or Gilbert for Hawaiian food. The fast-casual restaurant serves island favorites such as kalbi short ribs, chicken katsu and spam musubi. 7 Starbucks Construction began on Maricopa’s fourth Starbucks and second freestanding location at Stonegate Plaza in front of The Home Depot. The drive-thru, first proposed two years ago, is being built next to the future Someburros and will feature the company’s standard freestanding design

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March 2026 | InMaricopa.com

InMaricopa.com | March 2026