Modesto residents want these chain restaurants. What’s opened so far — and what’s next?
The Modesto region is currently missing several major restaurant chains, from Chick-fil-A to Jersey Mike’s Subs.
While Stanislaus County has added several fried chicken restaurants and a third In-N-Out location, residents are eager to see major chains including The Cheesecake Factory and Waffle House open in the area, The Modesto Bee reported in 2022.
Those were among the top 50 national chain restaurants in terms of domestic sales in 2022, according to Nation’s Restaurant News.
McDonald’s, which was No. 1 on the list, already has about 20 locations throughout Stanislaus County.
Other top-ranking chains, including Red Robin and Wingstop, also have several locations in the area.
Which major restaurant chains have opened in Stanislaus County since 2022? Are any other chains planning locations in the area?
Here is a look:
When will Chick-fil-A open in Modesto? Cracker Barrel?
Chick-fil-A, which ranked No. 3 on the list of the nation’s top 50 chain restaurants, remains notably absent from Modesto, as of Tuesday, Sept. 10.
The Georgia-based fast food chain, known for its chicken sandwiches, has no immediate plans to open a location in the area.
“We are always evaluating potential new locations in the hopes of serving existing and new customers great food with remarkable service,” Chick-fil-A company representatives recently wrote in an emailed statement to The Bee. “While we hope to serve the Stanislaus County community in the future, we do not currently have any locations to confirm.”
The closest Chick-fil-A location to Modesto is in Manteca. It opened in April 2020.
Other restaurant chains sought by Modesto residents have yet to open locations in the region.
Whataburger burger chain still has no locations in Modesto — or California — at this time.
Neither does Cracker Barrel, one of the most popular Southern-themed restaurant chains in the country.
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While Cracker Barrel has five locations in California, there are currently no locations planned for the Modesto region.
The Cheesecake Factory is one of Modesto’s most-requested restaurants. The chain is known for its expansive menu, fancy dining rooms and, of course, cheesecake.
Though The Cheesecake Factory has close to 40 locations across California, there are no plans for a location in Modesto.
The closest location is in Pleasanton, according to Google Maps.
Which other restaurant chains have yet to open in Modesto?
Other top-selling national restaurant chains on the Nation’s Restaurant News list show no signs of expanding into the Modesto area.
Casual dining chain LongHorn Steakhouse is mostly concentrated east of the Rocky Mountains with four locations in Southern California. None were planned for Modesto as of Tuesday.
Culver’s, a fast-casual chain known for its frozen custard and butter burgers, primarily has locations in the Midwest, and does not currently have any plans for a California location.
Zaxby’s, known for its chicken wings and chicken sandwiches, has no locations open in Modesto or anywhere else in California.
Burger chain Hardee’s belongs to the parent company of Carl’s Jr. and shares an almost identical menu. The chain is mostly found east of Colorado, and there are currently no plans for a location in Modesto or California.
Bojangles, famous for its Cajun-seasoned fried chicken and buttermilk biscuits, made the list. The chain remains concentrated in the Southeast, with no locations planned for California.
Waffle House, a Southern breakfast food chain known for its 24/7 service is primarily located in the South, with the closest location in Arizona. No locations were planned in California as of Tuesday,
Firehouse Subs has a limited presence in California. The chain has only one Northern San Joaquin Valley sandwich shop, in Stockton.
As of Tuesday, there were no locations planned for Modesto.
Which fast food chains have opened in Stanislaus County?
As of Tuesday, only one major chain on the top 50 restaurants list has debuted in the Modesto area since November 2022: Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers.
The company, known for its fried chicken and tangy sauce, opened its first Stanislaus County location that December at 3801 Pelandale Ave., Suite F1, in Modesto.
What else is headed to Modesto?
Sandwich shop chain Jersey Mike’s Subs is also set to land in Modesto.
As of Monday, Sept. 9, a Modesto location was listed as “in development” at 1809 McHenry Ave., Suite A.
Which restaurant chain do you want in Stanislaus County?
Which major restaurant do you most want in Stanislaus County?
Fill out the form below, click here or email arodriguez@modbee.com to talk about the top chains on your wishlist.
A reporter may reach out to you for a follow-up story or poll.
