Shop Talk

Chick-fil-A eyes California growth

Privately held Chick-fil-A has plans to open 50 new free-standing restaurants in California within the next five years — a move that would more than double its presence in the nation’s most populous state.

While most of the company’s 35 California restaurants now are located in suburbs or smaller cities, many of the new outlets are planned for Los Angeles and San Diego.

While it eyes California growth, Chick-fil-A is testing its Spicy Chicken Sandwich in the state. Restaurants in Baltimore and Jacksonville have had the sandwich since last year, but the recession has delayed a roll-out to the entire 1,440-restaurant chain.

(Photo: Chick-fil-A)