Expansion Deepens Community Impact Through Local Ownership, Job Creation, Philanthropic Investment
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Aug. 25, 2025) – Chick-fil-A® is slated to open 25-30 new locally owned and operated restaurants across the Buckeye State by the end of 2027. These new locations are expected to create up to 3,000 full- and part-time jobs across Ohio.
Statewide Growth
Since opening its first location in Cleveland in 1979, Chick-fil-A has been serving its signature hospitality and delicious food for more than four decades. Today, the Company has grown to more than 80 restaurants across the state—and that growth is set to increase, with 25-30 new restaurants planned in the next two years:
- Cincinnati: In Fall 2025, three restaurants are set to open in the Madisonville neighborhood, West Chester, Middletown/Franklin and in Northern Kentucky, along with a licensed location in the Miami University Armstrong Student Center. Growth will continue over the next few years with one location planned for Corryville and another in Northern Kentucky.
- Cleveland-Akron-Canton: Openings in Alliance and North Canton are slated for Fall 2025. Additional growth in the coming years includes locations planned for Downtown Cleveland, Broadview Heights, Aurora, Akron, Stow, Streetsboro and New Philadelphia.
- Columbus: Central Ohio welcomed a new restaurant in Westerville in April 2025, with another location planned for Groveport by year’s end. Additional restaurants are planned for Athens, Whitehall, Hilliard, Lancaster and Marysville.
- Dayton: A planned location in Fairborn is slated to open in the coming years.
- Northwest Ohio: Two new restaurants are planned for 2026, in Oregon and Findlay.
This expansion is part of the Company’s ongoing commitment to serve more communities across the state, anchored by its unique franchising model and focus on remarkable care.
“Ohio’s mix of vibrant cities, close-knit suburban communities and deep-rooted traditions truly makes it the Heart of it All,” said Omar Dione, Area Director for the Midwest Region. “This is a state with a rich history built on entrepreneurial spirit, heart, hard work and Midwestern hospitality. It’s been an honor to serve Ohioans for the past 45 years and we look forward to building on our restaurant company’s legacy in such a strong state. We’re grateful for Chick-fil-A local Owner-Operators and Team Members who create remarkable experiences for our Customers and show tremendous care every day. As we continue to grow, we look forward to bringing more opportunities that support and uplift local communities.”
Locally Owned and Operated
Chick-fil-A’s franchise model is essential to how the restaurant serves others. Most Chick-fil-A restaurants are owned and operated by a single individual, which means Chick-fil-A’s local
Owner-Operators are small business owners, not passive investors, who work in their restaurants side by side with their Team Members each day.
Chick-fil-A is always looking to connect with prospective franchise candidates with an entrepreneurial spirit and a CEO mindset. Learn more about franchising opportunities by visiting our Franchising page.
Caring for the Buckeye State
Chick-fil-A restaurants are passionate about showing care to the communities they serve through several initiatives, including:
- Awarding Nonprofit Grants: Chick-fil-A, Inc. has awarded $75,000 in grants throughout the state as a part of the True Inspiration Awards® program.
- Addressing Hunger Relief: In celebration of each new restaurant, Chick-fil-A, Inc. currently donates $25,000 to Feeding America. Since 2020, Chick-fil-A has donated $525,000 to Feeding America to support local hunger relief efforts of partner food banks.
- Redirecting Surplus Food: Through the Chick-fil-A Shared Table® program, an initiative that redirects surplus food from its restaurants to local soup kitchens, shelters, food banks and nonprofits in need, local Owner-Operators in Ohio have helped create more than 1.6 million meals since 2020 with the number continuing to grow.
- Developing Future Leaders: As part of the Chick-fil-A Remarkable Futures™ Scholarships initiative, Chick-fil-A, Inc. has awarded more than $4 million worth of scholarships to Team Members in Ohio since 2020 to support continued education. To learn more about careers at Chick-fil-A, click here. In addition, high school and middle school students at 25 schools across the state are participating in Chick-fil-A Leader Academy—a national leadership development program sponsored by local Chick-fil-A local Owner-Operators, where students gather to learn timeless leadership principles and are empowered to serve their communities by making a positive impact through action.
For more information about Chick-fil-A and stories about the Brand’s food, people and customers across the country, visit chick-fil-a.com.
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 and Puerto Rico.
Chick-fil-A opened its first restaurant in the UK in early 2025 with the goal of launching five locations across the UK within the next two years. The first Singapore restaurant is set to open in late 2025, marking the brand’s entry into Asia.
Chick-fil-A local Owner-Operators live and work in the communities their restaurants serve, each supporting local efforts to address hunger, education, and making a positive impact. The family-owned and privately held company was founded in 1967 by S. Truett Cathy. More information on Chick-fil-A is available at www.chick-fil-a.com and @ChickfilANews.
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