ALLIANCE ? Are you ready to "eat mor chikin"?
Chick-fil-A says it expects to open its new location at 2381 W. State St. in September, pending any delays. No exact date was given.
The Atlanta-based fast food chain specializing in chicken sandwiches already has three locations in Stark County − two in Jackson Township; one in Massillon.
A fifth spot, in North Canton and owned and operated by Ry Adams, is on track to open later this fall. The Alliance location will be owned and operated by Columbiana native Dan Bradenstein.
The company is also exploring a sixth location in the Canton area at a former Fisher Foods grocery store in Perry Township.
"While we are still early in the process, Chick-fil-A is actively working through approvals and is excited by the prospect of adding another location in the Canton area in the future," the company said in an email.
The new Stark County locations are part of a larger expansion across Ohio with 25 to 30 new Chick-fil-A locations planned statwide by the end of 2027. Ten will be in Northeast Ohio.
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In addition to Alliance and North Canton, the chain confirmed it will open local locations in New Philadelphia, Stow and Akron, and create up to 900 full-time and part-time jobs.
The Alliance and North Canton locations each are estimated to create 80 to 120 jobs.
"Alliance continues to grow, and our traffic count on State Street is one of the highest in Stark County," said Rick Baxter, president of the Alliance Area Chamber of Commerce. "Alliance has become a great destination for the surrounding communities to come to for shopping, recreation and food."
Mayor Grove: '... Alliance has created an atmosphere for businesses to want to invest in town.'
Chick-fil-A is the latest addition to the Alliance area, which has experienced steady economic growth over the past few years − particularly with restaurants and retail stores.
Here are some examples of this growth:
Meijer, Raising Cane's, Wingstop, Take 5 Oil Change, Cantina Jalisco, A1 Japan Steakhouse, Kava Culture, Zook's Coffee, Pulp, Groovy Beans, Consume Cannabis and Rhino Storage have all opened since May 2024.
There also are plans for a Mexican restaurant and a Carribbean restaurant in the downtown area. The former Tailgaters Sports Bar & Grill also was purchased, and a restaurant is expected to open under a different name.
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Grove said it is not an accident that the city has seen an increase in economic growth.
"Alliance has created an atmosphere for businesses to want to invest in town," he said. "We have something to sell."
"The Chick-fil-A organization is a welcome addition to this atmosphere of growth and prosperity; it's a perfect fit. Each new restaurant fosters joy, family engagement and a win woven together for our town. We are excited and look forward to a great community relationship with Chick-fil-A."
Baxter said the University of Mount Union also adds another incentive for businesses to come to Alliance.
"I think Alliance will continue to get more attention from additional retail and food industry businesses in the future," he added.
Reach Benjamin Duer at 330-580-8567 or [email protected]. On X (formerly Twitter): @bduerREP.