Plans Filed for Second Royal Farms Location in Middletown

The proposed convenience store and gas station would be the second Royal Farms in the Delaware town.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 8:55am

A close-up, photorealistic image of a polished metal fuel pump nozzle resting on a smooth, reflective surface against a clean, monochromatic background, conveying the premium, corporate aesthetic of the proposed Royal Farms development.A gleaming fuel pump nozzle symbolizes the growth of Royal Farms' convenience store and gas station footprint in Middletown.Middletown Today

A proposal has been submitted to build a new 5,154-square-foot Royal Farms convenience store and gas station in Middletown, Delaware. The plan calls for the store to be located on 5 acres of land at the intersection of Summit Bridge Road and Old Summit Bridge Road, with 56 available parking spots and access from both roads. However, the plan has faced some initial pushback from the local Department of Land Use, which has raised concerns about site access, landscaping, lighting, and sidewalk access that the applicant must address before the plan can move forward.

Why it matters

The addition of a second Royal Farms location in Middletown would expand the popular convenience store chain's footprint in the area, providing residents with another option for fuel, food, and other essentials. However, the plan has encountered some regulatory hurdles that the applicant must overcome before construction can begin.

The details

The proposal, filed on February 27, calls for a 5,154-square-foot Royal Farms store with fuel pumps on 5 acres of land. The store would have 56 available parking spots and be accessible from both Summit Bridge and Old Summit Bridge Road. However, the Department of Land Use has raised several issues with the preliminary plan, including the need to improve site access, comply with landscape and lighting requirements, and enhance sidewalk access to the store. The department has deemed the plan 'unacceptable' in its current form and has requested the applicant, listed as Town Farms Inc., work with surrounding residents to address community concerns.

  • The proposal was filed with the Department of Land Use on February 27, 2026.
  • The Department of Land Use completed its exploratory review of the plan in April 2026.

The players

Town Farms Inc.

The applicant listed on the proposal to build the new Royal Farms location in Middletown.

Royal Farms

A Baltimore-based convenience store chain with over 300 locations across several states, known for its freshly made fried chicken and hand-cut fries.

New Castle County Department of Land Use

The local government agency that is reviewing the proposal for the new Royal Farms location and has raised concerns about the plan in its current form.

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What’s next

The applicant, Town Farms Inc., must work to address the concerns raised by the Department of Land Use, including improving site access, complying with landscape and lighting requirements, and enhancing sidewalk access to the store. Once these issues are resolved, the revised plan can be resubmitted for further review and potential approval.

The takeaway

The proposed addition of a second Royal Farms location in Middletown highlights the continued growth and popularity of the convenience store chain in the region. However, the plan has encountered some regulatory hurdles that the applicant must overcome before the new store can be built, demonstrating the importance of community input and compliance with local zoning and development requirements.