Ohio chicken lovers, get ready to celebrate! Chick-fil-A has announced a massive expansion across the Buckeye State with 30 brand new locations opening soon. This ambitious growth plan will bring those famous chicken sandwiches, waffle fries, and legendary customer service to more communities throughout Ohio than ever before. Whether you’re in a major city or a smaller town, chances are a new Chick-fil-A might be coming your way. Here are our top 10 places to visit.
1. Columbus Gets Five New Spots
The capital city is scoring big with five fresh Chick-fil-A restaurants opening throughout different Columbus neighborhoods. Local residents won’t need to drive across town anymore just to satisfy their chicken sandwich cravings!
Each location will feature the chain’s signature drive-thru setup with those famous double lanes that somehow move faster than any other fast food place. Columbus State University students are particularly thrilled about the location near campus, which will undoubtedly become a new study spot.
What makes this expansion special is how Chick-fil-A analyzed Columbus’s growing population centers to ensure maximum convenience for residents. The company specifically targeted areas with heavy commuter traffic and family-dense neighborhoods.
2. Cincinnati’s Southern Connection
Cincinnati’s love for Chick-fil-A is getting a major boost with three new locations opening across the Queen City. The company strategically chose spots near major shopping centers and busy intersections to maximize convenience for chicken-loving Cincinnatians.
One location will feature an experimental design with expanded indoor play areas for kids and a larger dining room to accommodate family gatherings. The company’s research showed Cincinnati has a higher-than-average number of family dining experiences compared to other markets.
Perhaps most exciting for locals is the new location near the University of Cincinnati campus, which will offer extended late-night hours during exam weeks. This thoughtful touch shows how Chick-fil-A adapts to local community needs rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach to their expansion.
3. Dayton’s Delicious Development
Dayton is getting a delectable upgrade with two new Chick-fil-A restaurants opening in previously underserved areas. Local officials have praised the company for bringing their popular restaurants to neighborhoods that typically get overlooked by major chains.
The Wright-Patterson Air Force Base area will welcome one location, making it convenient for military personnel and their families to enjoy those famous chicken sandwiches. The second spot will open near the Dayton Mall, creating a perfect stopping point for shoppers looking to refuel.
Both locations will feature Chick-fil-A’s latest restaurant design, which includes more efficient kitchen layouts and sustainable building materials. The company has committed to sourcing construction materials from Ohio-based suppliers whenever possible, supporting the local economy beyond just creating restaurant jobs.
4. Toledo’s Tasty Transformation
Toledo chicken enthusiasts won’t need to cross state lines anymore! Two brand-new Chick-fil-A restaurants are coming to Toledo, ending the days when locals drove to Michigan just to satisfy their cravings. The Franklin Park Mall location will revitalize a previously vacant restaurant space, bringing new energy to the shopping center.
Meanwhile, the second location near the University of Toledo will create approximately 100 jobs, with scholarship opportunities for student employees who maintain good academic standing. Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz highlighted how these new restaurants represent more than just fast food options, they’re economic development drivers that create jobs and generate tax revenue.
The company’s decision to expand in Toledo comes after years of residents using the chain’s location request form to petition for local restaurants.
5. Youngstown’s Yummy New Option
Youngstown residents have been driving to neighboring cities for years just to get their Chick-fil-A fix. Those days are officially over with the announcement of a brand-new location opening near Youngstown State University!
The restaurant will feature the company’s latest technology upgrades, including dedicated mobile order parking spots and an expanded kitchen designed to handle higher volumes during lunch rushes. Local economic development officials estimate the new restaurant will generate approximately $2 million in annual economic impact.
Youngstown State students are particularly excited about the job opportunities, as the company has already announced a partnership with the university’s business school to provide management training programs. This location will also pilot a new community engagement initiative where local nonprofit organizations can host fundraising nights with a percentage of sales benefiting their causes.
6. Dublin’s Delectable Development
The upscale Columbus suburb of Dublin is getting its very own Chick-fil-A, strategically positioned near the massive Muirfield Village golf course. This timing couldn’t be better, as the restaurant will open just before the Memorial Tournament brings thousands of golf fans to the area.
This location will feature an upgraded interior design with more upscale finishes to match Dublin’s affluent demographic. The dining room will include more comfortable seating, USB charging stations at every table, and a covered outdoor patio area perfect for Ohio’s pleasant summer evenings.
Local business leaders have applauded the company’s decision to build in Dublin’s growing Bridge Park development, noting how Chick-fil-A typically anchors retail centers and drives additional foot traffic to surrounding businesses. The restaurant’s management team has already begun partnering with Dublin schools for potential fundraising opportunities.
7. Westerville’s Wonderful New Spot
Westerville residents won’t have to battle Polaris Mall traffic anymore to enjoy their favorite chicken sandwiches! A new Chick-fil-A is opening right in the heart of this charming Columbus suburb, bringing those famous waffle fries closer to home.
The location will feature an extra-large playground designed with input from local parents, making it a perfect family dining destination. City officials worked closely with Chick-fil-A’s development team to ensure the restaurant’s exterior design complements Westerville’s historic downtown aesthetic. Otterbein University students are particularly excited about the restaurant’s proximity to campus.
The company has already reached out to student organizations about potential partnerships, including providing catering for campus events and offering internship opportunities in marketing and business management. The location will also feature a dedicated study area with free WiFi and plenty of outlets.
8. Findlay’s First Chick-fil-A
Findlay residents have been driving over an hour to Toledo or Lima just to satisfy their Chick-fil-A cravings. Those long drives are about to end with the city’s very first location opening near the University of Findlay campus! The restaurant will create approximately 120 jobs, with special consideration given to flexible scheduling for college students.
Local economic development officials estimate the new location will generate nearly $400,000 in annual tax revenue for the city, helping fund important community projects. Findlay’s location will feature the company’s latest restaurant design, including a double kitchen layout that allows for simultaneous preparation of drive-thru and dine-in orders.
This innovative approach reduces wait times during peak hours. The company chose Findlay after analyzing data showing residents were regularly traveling significant distances to visit Chick-fil-A locations in other cities.
9. Sandusky’s Savory New Stop
Cedar Point visitors and Sandusky locals alike will soon have a new dining option! Chick-fil-A is opening its first Sandusky location just minutes from America’s roller coaster capital, perfectly positioned to capture both tourist and local traffic.
The restaurant will feature seasonal staffing patterns to accommodate the summer tourism surge, with additional hiring during Cedar Point’s peak season. Architectural elements will include subtle nods to the area’s amusement park heritage, with custom artwork showcasing Sandusky’s lakefront history. Unlike many seasonal businesses in the area, this Chick-fil-A will remain open year-round, providing consistent employment opportunities for local residents.
The company has already partnered with Cedar Point to offer special combo deals for park visitors who show their admission tickets. This location will also feature an expanded frozen treat menu perfect for hot summer days.
10. Mansfield’s Much-Anticipated Opening
Mansfield chicken lovers can finally celebrate! After years of online petitions and requests, Chick-fil-A is bringing its famous sandwiches to this North Central Ohio city with a location near the Richland Mall. The restaurant will feature a unique design element, a small museum-style display highlighting Mansfield’s rich manufacturing history.
This thoughtful touch shows how the company researches and honors local communities rather than simply dropping in generic restaurants. Local officials expect the new location to become a regional draw, attracting customers from smaller surrounding communities that don’t have their own Chick-fil-A.
The economic impact goes beyond just the 100+ jobs created, surrounding businesses typically see increased foot traffic after a Chick-fil-A opens nearby. The company specifically chose a location that had been vacant for several years, helping revitalize a previously struggling retail area.
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