News 12 has learned that work is currently being done to transform the former home of the Royal Coach Diner on Boston Road in Allerton into both a Sonic and a Zaxbys.
The diner closed in November of 2024. The building has mainly just sat there ever since.
"I used to go there all the time with my family, so seeing it closed is honestly heartbreaking because this is a lot of memories," said Danny Rihan, who lives nearby.
"Whatever they do make it into is not going to be like how it used to, it's not going to be the same," agreed Dre, another neighbor who used to go to the diner frequently.
Workers tell News 12 the building is being split in half - one side will have the Sonic, while the other will have the Zaxbys.
"This is a major intersection, and I think they're going to be doing good, 'cause there's a lot of traffic near here," predicted Courtney Dixon, who lives in the area.
Not everyone was as excited to learn the news.
"We have KFC, we've got McDonald's, we don't need another fast food chain," said Lillian, another longtime resident. "They just want to give us all this fried food."
At the moment, there are Sonics in Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan, but none in either the Bronx or Westchester.
A spokesperson says it is hoping to open in early May with counter service and delivery, but did not mention drive-thru.
"People love Sonic," Dre said, "So, I think it's going to be pretty popular over here."
Zaxbys is a southern chicken chain that only came to the Northeast this year.
A Manhattan location this summer had been announced as its first New York City restaurant, and a spokesperson says this one will also open over the summer.
"You see the commercials on TV, but then, you have to travel a long distance to go get that. It's right here now? It should make money," Dixon said.
