Another new restaurant has opened its doors at the Enos Ranch shopping center in Santa Maria. On March 15, the Southern fried chicken restaurant chain, Chick-fil-A, officially began serving up order upon order of comfort food.
“My team members and I can’t wait to serve our guests in the surrounding communities as we’re not just in the chicken business—we’re in the people business,” said Joey Hickox, the new location’s chief operator and manager. Hickox’s wife, Nicki, and son, John, will also work with him at his restaurant.
A nearly three decade veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Hickox began working as a team member with Chick-fil-A in 2016. Two years later, he achieved one of his life dreams after becoming an operator of one of the chain’s locations.
“I will continue to grow my team members in leadership and purpose, so they can provide customers with a remarkable experience by serving freshly prepared food, with healthy options, and with sincere hospitality,” he said.
On March 14, Hickox and his restaurant hosted 100 participants for what he and the company called a “road trip.” Everyone involved were invited to ride in a charted bus for most of the day around Santa Maria where they “engaged in activities” that included “serving their community and giving back to local organizations,” Chick-fil-A stated. The day’s events concluded with a book drive for the Santa Maria Valley YMCA.
The Enos Ranch Chick-fil-A is among 129 new Chick-fil-A locations expected to open this year across the country, creating nearly 12,000 new jobs, the company said in a statement. The first Chick-fil-A to hit the Central Coast was a licensee location that opened in August 1994 on Cal Poly’s campus in San Luis Obispo. It was followed in February 2013 with a stand-alone restaurant in Santa Barbara.
The Enos Ranch location is 4,800 square feet, has two drive through lanes and a two-story indoor play area for kids. The store operates from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday at the corner of Betteravia Road and College Drive.
Highlights:
• Lompoc announced it would add seven new transportation (COLT) buses to its routes. The new buses were integrated into the city’s fleet the week of March 15. COLT offers a convenient and affordable way to travel around Lompoc, Mission Hills, and Vandenberg Village, the city said in a statement. The seven new Chevrolet buses, which each have a seating capacity of 16, feature a colorful graphic design by Frank Sarnicola of New York that pays tribute to the military.
• The United Way in Northern Santa Barbara County is offering free, last-minute tax help at Allan Hancock College and America’s Job Center on March 31, or go to the Cal Poly tax site (appointments preferred). The service is courtesy of the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. VITA provides free basic state and federal income tax return preparation to qualified individuals. To make an appointment, contact United Way at (805) 922-0329 or go online to complete your taxes at myfreetaxes.org. If this site is not in a convenient location, you can look for another free tax assistance site near you. Go to irs.gov, and type the word “VITA”in the search box.
• The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration sent out a reminder to residents that new sales taxes would take effect on April 1. The new rates are a result of voter-approved initiatives. Santa Barbara County’s tax rate will increase from 7.75 percent to 8.75 percent.
• The Santa Maria Elks Lodge hosted the St. Baldrick’s Foundation’s head-shaving event on March 18, where 104 locals got their heads shaved to raise funds for childhood cancer research. The event raised more than $20,000. Donations can be made at stbaldricks.org.
Staff Writer Spencer Cole wrote this week’s Biz Spotlight. Information should be sent to the Sun via fax, mail, or email at spotlight@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Mar 22-29, 2018.