Chick-fil-A in Manteca to open soon. Here’s how it’ll debut amid coronavirus lockdown
You can finally “Eat mor chikin,” Manteca and the Central Valley.
Chick-fil-A, the Atlanta-based fast-food chicken chain that has amassed a loyal cult-like following, is opening its new Manteca location Thursday, April 30. The site just off Highway 99 on Yosemite Avenue will be open for drive-thru orders only because of the ongoing coronavirus crisis and subsequent shutdowns.
The restaurant sits on the northeast corner of the busy intersection at East Yosemite and Northwood avenues and will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Saturday (closed Sunday). Because the COVID-19 outbreaks have shuttered restaurant dining rooms across the state, the fast-food joint will serve through its drive-thru window on site.
Delivery will not be available at the Manteca location to start, though nationally it is available at select restaurants through direct team member delivery, DoorDash, Uber Eats or Grubhub. The site will open with 84 employees, which will increase to 110 once dining rooms are allowed to serve guests again, said a Chick-fil-A spokesman.
The company said special promotions normally associated with its new restaurant grand openings have been canceled because of the global pandemic.
A statement posted to the company website said: “The health and well-being of our Guests, restaurant Operators and Team Members is our top priority at Chick-fil-A Hwy 99 & Yosemite Ave. Due to ongoing health concerns related to COVID-19, we have chosen to cancel our traditional First 100 Event as a precautionary measure. Your safety is of the utmost importance to us, please understand that this decision was made with your wellbeing in mind.”
Plans for the new Manteca Chick-fil-A in Manteca were first revealed some two and a half years ago in late 2017. Then in spring 2019 construction work began on the site next door to the Best Western. To make way for the new 4,153-square-foot structure, the existing Super Buffet Sushi & Grill Chinese food restaurant was torn down.
According to construction plans, the restaurant has a seating capacity of 84, with 34 parking spaces outside.
Chick-fil-A has more than 100 restaurants in California and 2,500 across the United States and Canada. The chain currently has no locations in Stanislaus or Merced counties.
Fans of the franchise flock to its fried chicken sandwiches, chicken nuggets and cross-cut waffle fries. Since 1995 the brand has advertised with humorous cows holding intentionally misspelled signs reading, “Eat Mor Chikin.”
But over the years the chain has spawned some national controversy as well. Dan Cathy, the CEO of the privately held company and son of its founder, has spoken out publicly against same-sex marriage over the years and the company has donated millions to organizations fighting the legalization of such unions, sparking both backlash and support.
Late last year the company announced it would stop donating to groups with anti-LGBTQ views and missions.
A clip of Manteca franchise operator Micah Payton was posted on the local restaurant’s Instagram feed earlier this month extolling the company’s virtues.
“(The Cathys) they’re a good family, they care about us, they’re connected, they care about the community, they care about the schools ... “ he said. “That we love well and we serve well, that’s what I am hoping that people will say about us.”
This story was originally published April 28, 2020 at 2:01 PM.
