The opening of Varsity Jr. restaurant in Dawsonville, originally expected for later this month, has been delayed until March because of construction and weather issues, said John Browne, vice president for the Atlanta-based Varsity.

Browne said the construction crew originally planned to pour a standard concrete foundation, but problems with the soil made it necessary to use a reinforced slab.

The project was also delayed because of poor weather that made the site too muddy to work on, he said.

The Dawson County Community Development office issued a commercial building permit for the 4,550-square-foot restaurant on Sept. 30. The next day, crews broke ground on the site, located on 2 acres along Ga. 400 in Dawson County.

Construction was originally expected to take between 90 and 120 days. But because of the delays, the foundation was just poured Thursday, Browne said.

"That was a big step in the process. Now our structural steel is ready," he said.

But that leaves the bulk of the construction to be completed during the cold winter months, which will be a challenge for the construction crew, Browne said.

The company was originally hoping to complete construction before winter.

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

The restaurant will be accessible from Ga. 400 and Carlisle Road.

Browne said the company has not decided if it will hold a grand opening celebration when the restaurant opens.

"We may just open the doors," he said. "...We're trying to get open just as quick as we can."