Construction crews broke ground Friday on a new Varsity Jr. restaurant, which will sit on 2 acres along Ga. 400 in Dawson County.

“We are very excited and looking forward to being a part of the Dawsonville community,” said John Browne, vice president for the Atlanta-based Varsity.

The Dawson County Community Development office issued a commercial building permit for the 4,550-square-foot structure Thursday.

Browne said construction is expected to take between 90 to 120 days, depending on the weather.

The Varsity has owned the land north of Applebee’s, between Advance Auto Parts and The Outside World, for about four years.

The restaurant will occupy the front of the property, facing the highway, and will be accessible from both Ga. 400 and Carlisle Road.

The restaurant chain announced plans to open the Dawson County location in August after Atlanta placed restrictions on remodeling plans for the Varsity Jr. on Lindbergh Drive.

Plans for the new location, which will feature a brick and glass exterior, include a 1,400-square-foot kitchen, children’s play area and room for at least 160 people.

The number of jobs the restaurant will create has not been announced, though Browne has said he plans to hire a manager from the area.

That person would train for about a month at the original Varsity in Atlanta and then at the Alpharetta location before the Dawson business opens, he said.