COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Former fast-food buildings in central Ohio could soon face bulldozers making way for new Panda Express locations.

The chain’s development company, CFT NV Developments, purchased a south Columbus property at 3847 S. High St. for $1 million in December, Franklin County Auditor’s Office records show. The site was a Long John Silver’s, then taken over by a New Orleans-themed restaurant called Way Down Yonder that operated for nearly six years before closing last fall.

Plans submitted to the city of Columbus call for the building to be demolished before a 2,350-square-foot Panda Express location with a drive-thru is constructed.

  • Way Down Yonder was open at 3847 S. High St. for nearly six years. (Franklin County Auditor’s Office)
  • Long John Silver’s was a long-time tenant at 3847 S. High St before Way Down Yonder. (Franklin County Auditor’s Office)

CFT made another December purchase last year in Hilliard at 3721 Fishinger Blvd., the long-time home of a Kentucky Fried Chicken location. The fried-chicken brand first acquired the Hilliard site for $380,000 in 1995, while CFT paid $1.2 million, according to the auditor’s office.

Records show that KFC’s 2739-square-foot eatery was built in 1996. It’s unclear if the building will be demolished or renovated for the new Panda Express location.

KFC operated at 3721 Fishinger Blvd. for nearly three decades. (Franklin County Auditor’s Office)

Panda Express is also readying a third new location in New Albany. CFT purchased a 1.3-acre site at the intersection of Johnstown and Smith’s Mill roads in October for $1.9 million, according to the auditor’s office.

A vacant site that has yet to receive an address, the New Albany property sits across from a former Panda Express at 9855 Johnstown Road that has since been converted into a Dunkin location.

CFT purchased a 1.3-acre site at the intersection of Johnston and Smith’s Mill roads. (Franklin County Auditor’s Office)

Panda Express is not the first fast-food chain to bulldoze a series of central Ohio buildings to make way for new locations. Chick-fil-A and Sheetz are also expanding by demolishing buildings like a Buca di Beppo, a Woody’s Wing House and several Max and Erma’s restaurants.