Led by local Owner-Operator, Zach Thomas
ESCONDIDO, Calif. (April 2, 2026) – A new Chick-fil-A® restaurant will begin serving the Escondido community at its newest location on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at 6 a.m., creating approximately 85 jobs. Chick-fil-A, Inc. selected Zach Thomas as the local Owner-Operator of Chick-fil-A Centre City.
To celebrate the opening, Thomas and team are inviting the community to show their spots at a Moove-In Party on opening day! Whether it’s a full cow suit or a simple cow-spotted accessory, Guests of all ages are invited to join the fun. Anyone who visits the restaurant on opening day dressed in cow attire can redeem one free entrée* or kid’s meal in the drive-thru or at the walk-up window.
Located at 515 W. 13th Ave., Chick-fil-A Centre City will serve Guests Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., offering drive-thru, carry-out, delivery, catering and Mobile Thru. Designed for speed and efficiency, this drive thru-focused location offers added convenience to serve Guests through its drive-thru, a walk-up window for carry-out and a patio with outdoor seating.
Locally Owned and Operated
“I was first introduced to Chick-fil-A as a freshman in college and was instantly drawn to the brand for their incredible service and genuine care for people,” said Thomas. “I knew I wanted to own a business rooted in strong values, and Chick-fil-A gave me the opportunity to build a legacy by investing in leaders and serving a community I care deeply for.”
Thomas began his Chick-fil-A journey as a Team Member at Chick-fil-A Hollywood in 2018, where he learned the value of genuine hospitality and teamwork while supporting multiple restaurant openings across Southern California. Following the completion of the Chick-fil-A® Leadership Development Program, Thomas is excited to open his first locally owned and operated restaurant in Escondido. As a longtime North San Diego resident, Thomas will be in the restaurant every day working alongside his Team Members, building relationships with Guests and serving the Escondido community with care.
Caring for the Escondido Community
Thomas is committed to giving back to the Escondido community by:
- Celebrating the opening with a $25,000 donation from Chick-fil-A, Inc. to support local hunger relief efforts of Feeding San Diego, a Feeding America partner food bank, in honor of the new restaurant.
- Participating in the Chick-fil-A Shared Table® program, which redirects surplus food to local nonprofits, helping to create over 42 million meals nationwide to date.
- Creating approximately 85 jobs.
To learn more about careers at Chick-fil-A Centre City, click here. For the latest news and updates on Chick-fil-A Centre City, visit the restaurant’s Facebook page and follow along on Instagram.
Delicious Food; Outstanding Customer Service
Chick-fil-A is known for creating a remarkable restaurant experience, starting with friendly service, a warm welcome and quality food, including the original Chick-fil-A® Chicken Sandwich.
Restaurants strive to provide a great-tasting meal made with real, whole chicken breast and fresh produce, all grown and sourced with care and prepared throughout the day. For more on
Chick-fil-A’s high-quality menu options, click here. For more information about the Brand’s food, people and customers across the country, visit chick-fil-a.com.
Opening Day Offer Details
Guests who dress in cow attire on opening day can redeem the offer of one free entrée or kid’s meal in the drive-thru or through the carry-out window. Breakfast offer options are a Chick-fil-A® Chicken Biscuit, Egg White Grill or 4-ct Chick-fil-A Chick-n-Minis®. Lunch/dinner offer options are Chick-fil-A® Chicken Sandwich, Spicy Chicken Sandwich, 8-ct Grilled Nuggets, 8-ct Chick-fil-A® Nuggets or 5-ct Nugget Kid’s Meal. The offer is limited to one per person in cow attire, per day, while supplies last. No purchase is necessary. See the restaurant for more details.
About Chick-fil-A, Inc.
Chick-fil-A, Inc. is the third largest quick-service restaurant company in the United States, known for its freshly-prepared food, signature hospitality and unique franchise model. More than 200,000 Team Members are employed by local Owner-Operators in more than 3,000 restaurants across the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, the UK and Singapore.
Chick-fil-A local Owner-Operators live and work in the communities their restaurants serve, each supporting local efforts and making a positive impact. Chick-fil-A gives back through programs including Shared Table, True Inspiration Awards and Scholarships. The family-owned and privately held company got its start in 1946, founded by S. Truett Cathy. More information on Chick-fil-A is available at www.chick-fil-a.com and Chick-fil-A Press Room.
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