Farewell, Fuddruckers? Lake Forest Planners Talk Big Changes

LAKE FOREST, CA —On Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. the Lake Forest Planning Commission was scheduled to discuss big changes for the Fuddruckers building on El Toro.

The commission would meet to discuss the potential for remodeling the building to accommodate three restaurants, all with outdoor patios.

"The exterior of the building would get a major face-lift, as well," a city spokesperson said over social media.

Residents did not hesitate to chime in their thoughts of losing Fuddruckers, which sits on El Toro Road.

While some commenters were saddened at the thought of losing Fuddruckers, with nostalgia for the restaurant topping the list, current employees wondered about the future of their jobs.

Currently, over 25 people work at the El Toro location.

According to the landlord of the Twin Peaks center, Fuddrucker's lease is active until January of 2022.

Though the Twin Peaks landlord has certain termination rights, they are taking an active role to evaluate all options at the Center, Greg McClelland of Twin Peaks told Patch. "Timing is unknown depending on the future of Fuddrucker's and market conditions for new tenants," he said.

Residents expressed interest in adding "nicer restaurants," which ultimately is not up to the city, but the landlord of the building, a city representative said.

According to McClelland, Twin Peaks has "no urgency" in making changes.

"Fuddrucker's may stay, we may do working drawings and explore new tenants," he said. "Time will tell."