Chico’s first Chick-fil-A is set to join the Forest Avenue food run next Thursday, giving local fast-food fans a fresh reason to debate drive-thru strategy. The new restaurant will open with a 6:30 a.m. start and a promise of jobs, scholarships and community partnerships.
The grand opening is scheduled for 6:30 a.m. next Thursday at the Forest Avenue location, according to Action News Now. The report says the restaurant will bring new jobs to the area, provide college scholarship opportunities and work with local partners, including the Jesus Center.
Chick-fil-A’s official location page identifies Matt Hock as the local operator. Hock attended CSU Chico, coached baseball at Pleasant Valley High School and has been involved with the Jesus Center and Love Chico, according to the company’s local restaurant page.
Forest Avenue Project Cleared A Major Hurdle
Chico’s Planning Commission approved the project’s use permit and architectural review in 2025. City planning documents describe a 4,667-square-foot quick-service restaurant with a dual-lane drive-through on the west side of Forest Avenue, just north of Baney Lane.
The project was billed as Chico’s first Chick-fil-A when CRE Market Beat reported the site acquisition last November. That report projected a May 2026 opening, making next Thursday’s launch the latest milestone in a project that took a few extra months to reach the finish line.
Once open, the local restaurant page lists regular hours of 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday, with Sundays closed. That schedule follows Chick-fil-A’s standard Sunday closure, while the operator’s local ties and scholarship focus give the arrival a distinctly Chico angle beyond sandwiches and waffle fries.
