Press Release
Thursday, August 6, 2026Chick-fil-A Opens as First Business at Turlock Marketplace Shopping Center
TURLOCK, CA | August 6, 2026 — The City of Turlock joined Chick-fil-A, Owner-Operator Christine Murphy, and over a thousand members of the community Thursday morning to celebrate the grand opening of Stanislaus County's first Chick-fil-A, marking the first business to open within the new Turlock Marketplace Shopping Center development.Residents began arriving more than 12 hours before the restaurant opened, with hundreds gathering to welcome the long-anticipated addition to the community. The grand opening represents an important milestone not only for Chick-fil-A, but also for the Turlock Marketplace Shopping Center and the City's continued economic development efforts.
The opening is the culmination of several years of planning, collaboration, and investment. In the spring of 2023, representatives from Adval Properties met with City officials to discuss plans for what would become the approximately 30-acre Turlock Marketplace development. During those early conversations, the City identified Chick-fil-A as a business residents had consistently expressed interest in bringing to Turlock. Later that year, Mayor Amy Bublak publicly extended an invitation to Chick-fil-A during her annual State of the City Address, reaffirming the City's commitment to attracting businesses that residents want to see in Turlock. Through continued collaboration with the developer and Chick-fil-A over the following several years, that vision ultimately became reality with Thursday's grand opening.
"Today's grand opening reflects years of collaboration and a shared commitment to creating opportunities for our residents," said Mayor Amy Bublak. "We're proud to welcome Chick-fil-A to Turlock as the first business to open within the Turlock Marketplace Shopping Center. This investment brings new jobs, expands opportunities for residents, and represents another important step forward as our community continues to grow."
"People have been asking for Chick-fil-A in Turlock for years, and today we finally get to celebrate something our community has been excited about for a long time," said Vice Mayor Rebecka Monez. "Good leadership starts with listening. Mayor Amy Bublak heard what our community was asking for and stayed committed to making it happen. She challenged us to keep moving this project forward, and today we're seeing the result. Looking around at the hundreds of people who came out this morning tells you everything you need to know. This wasn't just a restaurant opening. It was our community celebrating something they asked for and helped inspire."
As the first tenant to open within the Turlock Marketplace Shopping Center, Chick-fil-A represents the beginning of a larger commercial development expected to bring additional restaurants, retailers, services, and employment opportunities to Turlock in the years ahead. City officials view Thursday's grand opening as an important milestone in the continued growth of one of the City's newest commercial centers.
"One of the things that stood out to me during the final stages of this project was hearing members of Chick-fil-A's grand opening team share that, after opening restaurants across the country, Turlock is one of the most welcoming, accommodating, collaborative, and supportive communities they've experienced," said City Manager Dr. John J. Murphy. "That recognition belongs to our residents, our local businesses, our elected officials, City staff, and everyone who helped make this day possible. It speaks to the character of our community and the relationships that make Turlock such a special place."
The City extends its appreciation to Owner-Operator Christine Murphy, Chick-fil-A, Adval Properties, project contractors, City staff, and the many public and private partners whose collaboration helped bring this project to completion.
The opening of Chick-fil-A marks an important milestone for the Turlock Marketplace Shopping Center, but it also represents the beginning of the development's next chapter. As additional businesses continue to invest in Turlock, City leaders remain committed to supporting responsible economic development, expanding opportunities for residents, and building a community where businesses and families can continue to thrive.
Businesses interested in locating within the Turlock Marketplace Shopping Center or learning more about economic development opportunities in the City of Turlock are encouraged to contact the City's Economic Development Department at (209) 668-6031.
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