Chicken Sandwiches Moving Closer
Eric Richardson
[Flickr]
LOS ANGELES — Hundreds lined up for free chicken sandwiches earlier this month when Atlanta-based chain Chick-fil-A opened its 1500th store next to USC.
While the company’s press releases touted the store’s location as “downtown Los Angeles,” Downtowners looking for a quick chicken sandwich during their lunch break can testify that the eatery just isn’t quite close enough to be considered ‘downtown’.
Still, the store should be seen as a sign that the chain that claims to have invented the chicken breast sandwich might be growing more interested in the Downtown market. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution notes that urban locations in L.A., Chicago and Washington, D.C. are considered testbeds as the chain moves beyond freestanding stores and food courts.
The chain averages 70 new stores yearly, but less than 10 of those will be stores built as “in-line stores” — or stores integrated into urban blocks — Chick-fil-A’s senior vice president of marketing Steve Robinson told the paper.
Urban locations have often proved difficult for growing fast food chains. Local favorite In-N-Out Burger has long been a name that Downtown residents have wanted to see in their neighborhood, but the rumors that reached blogdowntown over the years were that the chain was stymied by the lack of a drive-through.
Despite the lack of stores, Chick-fil-A is no stranger to Downtown. The company’s trademark cows visit the central city regularly to film commercials. A trio of April shoots included locations in the Financial District, Arts District and Central City East.
Ken Hall on August 25, 2010, at 10:27AM – #1
Eric, you've gotta be excited about this!
Guest on August 25, 2010, at 11:07AM – #2
we need an in n out and a Zankou Chicken downtown and i will be happy.
D
film rob on August 25, 2010, at 11:22AM – #3
im from the south where we have these everywhere, good fresh fast food.
skidrowdude on August 25, 2010, at 11:34AM – #4
No Chick-fil-A downtown, no In-and-Out downtown- no new fast food allowed downtown thanks to Jan Perry trying to decide what we should eat... and banning new fast food restaurants. This still pisses me off.
Brandy Zzyzx on August 25, 2010, at 12:58PM – #5
OMG! Zankou Chicken would be awesome to have DT!
Guest on August 25, 2010, at 01:25PM – #6
Skidrowdude, I heard about that ban too. How did this open if the ban is in place? I'm confused. The ban is stupid, but it does draw attention to the fact that South LA needs more healthy food options.
Maxx Gillman on August 25, 2010, at 01:34PM – #7
the in-n-out in glendale has no drive-thru and is always doing fine. Can we have our in-n-out now?
Guest on August 25, 2010, at 06:02PM – #8
Chik-Fil-A is so bridge and tunnel.
Russell Brown on August 25, 2010, at 06:27PM – #9
Can't we link this in some way to The Must?
MUST have Chik Fillet, MUST go In & Out to Zankou amazing garlic paste and roasted chicken.
Bolt Barbers on August 25, 2010, at 08:48PM – #10
Chikin Hear. Chikin Ther. The barbrs at Bolt are veri happi that Chick-Fil-A has arrivd at USC and we ate some chikin 2nite and it was realli yummi. Now if we could only spell chikin.
Vonn Butler on August 25, 2010, at 10:43PM – #11
YES! I used to have to drive all the way to South Bay. Now its down the street.