The Montgomery County Planning Board approved a Conditional Use request and associated forest conservation plan for a new Dash In gas station, convenience store, and car wash at its March 26, 2026 meeting, advancing redevelopment plans for the former Red Lobster site on Shady Grove Road.
The project, filed as Conditional Use No. CU202604, will allow for the demolition of the existing vacant Red Lobster building and the construction of a new filling station with a convenience store and a single-bay automatic car wash. Plans call for six multi-product fuel dispensers, totaling 12 fueling positions, along with two EV charging stations. A canopy will cover the fueling area, while the car wash will be located at the rear of the property. The proposed convenience store will be just under 5,000 square feet, paired with a 35-space parking lot, including designated spaces for EV charging and car wash use. An outdoor seating area with picnic benches is also planned behind the store.
As part of the approval, the Planning Board placed several conditions on the project. Fuel sales will be capped at less than 3.6 million gallons per year, and the use is limited to a gas station with an accessory car wash and convenience store. The applicant must also formally withdraw the previously approved site plan tied to the former restaurant use.
Transportation and pedestrian improvements are a key component of the project. The developer will be required to construct a 10-foot-wide sidepath along the Shady Grove Road frontage, install a new crosswalk, and add seven off-site pedestrian lights along the corridor. Easements for public access and improvements must also be recorded prior to building permit issuance.
Additional requirements include entering into a surety and maintenance agreement, holding a preconstruction meeting with county staff, and complying with all recommendations from the Montgomery County Department of Transportation. The associated forest conservation plan outlines environmental requirements for the site, including landscaping, tree protection measures, and mitigation plantings, as well as financial surety to ensure compliance with planting and maintenance obligations.
The redevelopment follows the abrupt closure of the Gaithersburg Red Lobster location in May 2024, which was part of a broader nationwide shutdown tied to the company’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy. While Red Lobster has since emerged from bankruptcy under new ownership, the Shady Grove Road property has remained vacant. Top Pot Hot Pot & K BBQ will be also bringing its popular all you can eat concept to Maryland, taking over the former Red Lobster space at 8533 Georgia Avenue in Downtown Silver Spring.
Dash In, part of the Wills Group, has been a staple in the Mid-Atlantic region since 1979 and is known for its modern convenience store concept and made-to-order food offerings. The company currently operates one Montgomery County location in White Oak. With Planning Board approval now secured, the project can move forward into permitting and construction phases, bringing a new fuel, food, and convenience option to the area.
