7 Shocking Details About Chick-fil-A’s Massive Ohio Expansion Plan (25-30 New Locations By 2027)
The Buckeye State is about to get a whole lot more chicken. As of December 2025, Chick-fil-A is aggressively accelerating its presence in Ohio, announcing a massive, multi-year expansion that will see dozens of new restaurants open across the state, alongside a significant investment in its supply chain infrastructure. This is not just a handful of new stores; the beloved fast-food chain is slated to open between 25 and 30 new locally owned and operated restaurants by the end of 2027, marking one of the company’s most significant regional growth pushes in recent history.
This ambitious expansion plan signals Chick-fil-A's deep commitment to the Ohio market, which already boasts over 80 locations statewide. The strategic growth is focused on major metropolitan areas—Columbus, Cincinnati, and Cleveland—but also extends into smaller, rapidly growing communities, promising a substantial boost to local economies through job creation and community investment.
The Full Scope: Chick-fil-A’s Ohio Expansion By The Numbers (2025-2027)
Chick-fil-A, Inc. has laid out a clear, three-year roadmap for its Ohio growth, which goes far beyond just serving more Waffle Fries and Chicken Sandwiches. The plan is a comprehensive strategy involving retail expansion, logistics infrastructure, and community impact.
- Total New Restaurants: 25–30 new locations by the end of 2027.
- Job Creation: The expansion is projected to create approximately 3,000 new full- and part-time jobs across the state.
- Key Expansion Regions: Central Ohio (Columbus area), Northeast Ohio (Cleveland/Canton area), and Southwest Ohio (Cincinnati/Dayton area).
- Supply Chain Investment: A new $100 million distribution facility is planned near Cincinnati to support the growing regional demand.
The company emphasizes that each new restaurant will be locally owned and operated, fostering community connection and ensuring a dedicated local presence for the brand. This local ownership model is a cornerstone of Chick-fil-A’s operational philosophy.
The Central Ohio Boom: Columbus and Surrounding Areas
The Columbus metropolitan area, or Central Ohio, is a primary focus for the initial wave of new Chick-fil-A locations. This region is seeing rapid commercial and residential growth, making it a prime target for the chain's expansion efforts. The first openings in this phase have already set the pace for the rest of the state.
Westerville and Groveport Lead the Charge
Central Ohio fans have already celebrated a major opening and have another one on the horizon. A new restaurant in Westerville opened its doors in April 2025, quickly becoming a popular spot for residents. Following that, the community of Groveport is slated to welcome its first Chick-fil-A restaurant by the end of 2025, deepening the company's commitment to the area. These Central Ohio developments are part of a larger plan to bring five new restaurants to the region, creating an estimated 600 full and part-time positions.
Northeast Ohio’s Nine-Store Surge: Cleveland and Canton
For years, Chick-fil-A’s presence in Northeast Ohio was concentrated in the suburbs, but the new plan is changing that dramatically. The company has committed to opening nine new restaurants across the Northeast Ohio region by the end of 2027. This significant investment is expected to generate hundreds of job opportunities and bring the chain's famous service and quality closer to more communities.
First Ever Cleveland City Storefront
Perhaps the most anticipated news for the region is the plan to open the first-ever Chick-fil-A storefront within the city limits of Cleveland. This move signifies a shift from a suburban-only strategy to a focus on dense urban markets. Specific locations for the first wave of openings in Northeast Ohio are scheduled for fall/winter 2025:
- Alliance: A new location at 2381 State St.
- North Canton: A planned restaurant west of North Main Street.
Other communities in the region, including Canton and Akron, are also expected to see new locations in the subsequent years leading up to the 2027 deadline. This aggressive push is designed to satisfy the high demand from consumers across the entire Northeast quadrant of the state.
The $100 Million Logistics Game-Changer Near Cincinnati
The expansion's impact is not limited to just retail restaurants. To efficiently support 25–30 new stores, plus the existing operations, Chick-fil-A Supply—the chain's logistics and warehousing arm—is making a massive infrastructure investment in the Cincinnati area.
The Elsmere Distribution Facility
Chick-fil-A Supply announced plans for a new, state-of-the-art $100 million distribution facility in Elsmere, Kentucky, which is strategically located just about 10 miles from downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. While technically located across the border, this facility is fundamentally tied to the Ohio expansion, serving as the central hub for supply chain management for the entire region. This project alone is expected to create 178 full-time jobs over five years, primarily in logistics, warehousing, and transportation, demonstrating a deeper economic commitment than just the restaurant openings.
This logistics investment highlights the long-term, strategic nature of the company’s growth in the Midwest. It ensures that the new restaurants in Dayton, Cincinnati, and surrounding areas will have a robust and efficient supply line, minimizing potential disruptions and maintaining the high-quality standards the chain is known for.
Economic and Community Impact Entities
The influx of 3,000 new jobs is a significant economic driver for Ohio. These positions span various roles, from local Owner/Operators and leadership staff to full-time and part-time Team Members. The company’s focus on local ownership means that a significant portion of the revenue generated will stay within the Ohio economy.
Furthermore, Chick-fil-A is known for its philanthropic efforts, particularly through the Chick-fil-A Remarkable Futures Scholarship initiative and local community engagement programs. Each new restaurant opening typically involves a donation to a local organization, further embedding the brand into the civic fabric of communities like Lancaster, Ontario, and others targeted for future growth.
The decision to invest so heavily in Ohio—from the retail expansion in cities like Cleveland and Columbus to the supply chain hub near Cincinnati—reflects a strong belief in the state's economic vitality and consumer demand. As the 2027 deadline approaches, Ohio residents can anticipate a significant increase in accessibility to their favorite chicken chain, alongside a substantial positive impact on local employment and infrastructure.
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