Drive-Thru-Only Coffee Shop Approved For Former Chili's Lot In Plainfield

PLAINFIELD, IL — A drive-thru-only cafe will take over the site formerly occupied by Chili's in the Kensington Center, the Village Board voted Monday night.

7 Brew Coffee plans to redevelop the 1.1-acre property at 12740 S. Route 59. First opened in Arkansas in 2017, the company has since achieved more than 4,000 percent growth, according to a report from Nation's Restaurant News. Chili's, at the time Plainfield's only location, closed in December 2024.

"I had a resident reach out to me last week and say, 'We need a 7 Brew; you guys ought to have one,'" Mayor John Argoudelis said. "I said, 'Well, take a look at the Board agenda. It's coming up Monday night. Residents are asking for your product."

Trustees were unanimous in their decision to approve a special use permit, requested variances and the proposed site plan review.

The main building will span 510 square feet and contain space for food preparation. A separate storage cooler will take up 238 square feet. The property, featuring two drive-thru lanes and one for passing through, would be accessible from two existing entrance points.

7 Brew generates about $2.5 million annually in sales, according to Laura Pacino, entitlement coordinator at Who Brew, a franchisee of 7 Brew. She said locations in the Chicagoland area queue an average of 34 cars. In Plainfield, the site can queue 38.

"We do access the ring road, so there will not be a backup onto [Route] 59," Pacino said.

Village code dictates the building would only require three parking spaces due to its size, but documents state plans to maintain 17 existing spaces on the north side of the site, mainly for employees and some customers who might choose to eat in their cars.

"7 Brew is a very popular coffee shop, especially in Naperville ... it's a very busy site and spills out into the roadway," Economic Development Director Jake Melrose said. "We are fortunate enough on this site that it is a much bigger site, I believe."

The cafe plans to staff the business with five employees during peak hours. Business hours were proposed for 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and until 11 p.m. on weekends.

Signature drinks include the "Blondie," a caramel and vanilla drink, and "Cinnamon Roll," comprising white chocolate and brown sugar cinnamon. Besides coffee, the menu also features lemonade, shakes and energy drinks.