Here’s what’s coming to the former Chow Daddy’s restaurant spot in Bluffton
Chase Bank is expanding into Beaufort County, with plans to officially open its first branch in Bluffton.
The branch will open at 15 Towne Drive in Belfair Towne Village, the former site of Chow Daddy’s, which closed its doors in early September after a decade in business.
The Bluffton restaurant, known for its burgers, tacos, and classic American cuisine, announced earlier this fall that a national banking company had reached out about the space. Chase Bank has since confirmed it will occupy the location, which is expected to open in spring 2026, according to spokesperson Allison Reed.
The addition of the new Chase Bank location adds to a long list of former occupants of this space, which include All-American Bar and Grill, Plums Restaurant, Nathan’s Famous, Back Yard Burgers, and now Chow Daddy’s.
Fernando Lossada, Chow Daddy’s operating partner, told The Island Packet back in September that the team is searching for a new space to host a second restaurant location. The Hilton Head restaurant, located at 71 Lighthouse Road in The Shops at Sea Pines, remains open daily from 5 to 8 p.m.
Reed noted that Chase Bank is also seeking to open another location on Hilton Head Island, but no location or opening timeline has been announced.
This isn’t the only bank taking shape in Belfair Towne Village. A few buildings over, the Synovous branch is also undergoing some changes, as the company recently merged with Pinnacle, meaning a name and sign swap is on the horizon.
Why is Chase adding more branches?
The upcoming Bluffton branch highlights Chase’s continued expansion across South Carolina.
The expansion into South Carolina is part of a broader plan for Chase Bank, which was announced in 2018. As one of the world’s largest banking companies, the franchise plans to open more than 500 new branches, renovate 1,700 locations and hire 3,500 employees nationwide by 2027.
Currently, some of the nearest Chase branches for customers in Beaufort County are located in Savannah, making the new Bluffton location a much-needed addition for local residents and businesses seeking closer access to in-person banking services.
Beyond the upcoming Bluffton and Hilton Head locations, Reed noted that the company is “evaluating opportunities” to open additional locations in the Lowcountry area.
Alfonso Hernandez, consumer banking market director for coastal South Carolina at Chase, said that the expansion into the Bluffton and Hilton Head area is a “natural next step” for the company, and they anticipate these additional branches to support “the area’s continued growth and prosperity.”
The company opened its first South Carolina branch in 2019 in Clemson. To date, there are about 30 Chase Banks and ATMs scattered across the Palmetto State.
