Chick-fil-A makes second attempt at Campbell location

A popular fast-food chain known for its crispy chicken sandwiches might make a return to Campbell after being unanimously rejected by the City Council four years ago. While some locals view this as a boost for businesses, others are puzzled by the project’s resurgence.

Campbell officials are now considering Chick-fil-A again as part of their revised economic development plan aimed at filling vacant land. Community Development Director Rob Eastwood noted that the proposed site, located at 2060 S. Bascom Ave., has become a hotspot for homeless camps and illegal dumping since the South Bascom Avenue Denny’s closed in 2021. “It would address a code enforcement issue and bring in sales tax revenue,” Eastwood told San José Spotlight. “It’s a popular restaurant that would contribute positively to the community.”

The latest proposal reviewed by the Development Review Committee omits the drive-thru. The new plan includes a 5,752-square-foot restaurant with approximately 122 seats and 62 parking spaces, and could employ around 100 people. If approved by the Planning Commission, the project will proceed unless appealed to the city council.

Company representatives were not available for comment.

However, some local businesses are concerned about the potential impact. Maria Barbosa, manager of The Habit Burger Grill, expressed worries that the proximity of a new Chick-fil-A could hurt her sales. “Chick-fil-A is very popular, and it might draw customers away from us,” she said. “While we might not have to close, we could end up cutting hours, which is already a concern.”

Chick-fil-A previously sought to open a location in Campbell in 2020 at the site of the former Denny’s, but the City Council denied approval due to significant community opposition and concerns about traffic congestion, similar to issues experienced at other Chick-fil-A locations like the one in Sunnyvale. After the rejection, Chick-fil-A re-engaged with city officials, who revisited the proposal late last year to gauge continued interest.

Despite the previous setbacks, some local business owners view the potential arrival of Chick-fil-A as a positive development. Shawn Wuollet, who has run Taco Bravo on South Bascom Avenue since the early 1970s, supports the idea. While he is uncertain about how traffic will be managed, Wuollet believes that the influx of customers could benefit his restaurant. “Chick-fil-A could draw more people to the area, and once they get tired of it, they might decide to try tacos at Taco Bravo,” Wuollet told San José Spotlight.

The initial attempt to bring Chick-fil-A to Campbell sparked significant opposition in the Dry Creek neighborhood off South Bascom Avenue. Residents like Catherine Clock opposed the plan, citing concerns over increased traffic on an already congested street and the nearby South Bascom and Campbell avenues intersection. The city council ultimately upheld the appeals, halting the project.

Clock, who moved to Campbell in 2016 and works as a real estate agent near the proposed site, expressed skepticism about the renewed proposal. She criticized the city's handling of the initial proposal, claiming it was pushed through without sufficient resident notification. She also believes the current proposal is worse because it lacks the traffic management benefits of a drive-thru and would prefer seeing a hotel or housing developed instead. “It’s a nightmare. The area around The Pruneyard and downtown is already traffic-clogged,” she told San José Spotlight. “It’s about local business and neighborhood property values; it’s a lose-lose situation.”

South Bascom Avenue is experiencing multiple housing developments in neighboring San Jose. Despite Campbell's goal to add 3,870 homes by 2031, including 1,542 affordable units, the property owner is not interested in housing options.

While there are around 10 Chick-fil-As in Santa Clara County, including six in San Jose and a new one in Gilroy, Summer Carignan, manager of Haze Smoke Shop near the proposed Campbell site, welcomes the idea. “Chick-fil-A does bring in a lot of traffic, which would be good for us. Who doesn’t like Chick-fil-A?” she said.