Man Who Brought Chick-Fil-A To San Diego Opening Another Location

SAN DIEGO, CA — The man who brought Chick-fil-A to San Diego is opening another location in America's Finest City.

Matt Hughes, the local owner-operator of Chick-fil-A Sports Arena, is bringing the fast food chain to Liberty Station. The new location opens Thursday and joins more than 20 other Chick-fil-A restaurants serving the San Diego region.

Hughes, who grew up in the Atlanta area, opened San Diego's first Chick-fil-A in 2006 on Sports Arena Boulevard.

He started his career with Chick-fil-A as a team member in high school. He later joined the Chick-fil-A Leadership Development Program, where he supported several restaurant openings on the West Coast.

"When I started at Chick-fil-A as a team member in high school, my operator entrusted me with real responsibilities, which ignited my passion for helping others to have meaningful career opportunities and grow and develop, both personally and professionally," Hughes told Patch. "It was an incredible honor to bring the first Chick-fil-A to San Diego more than 18 years ago, and I'm excited to extend my team's impact, further inspiring the next generation of leaders — just as I was inspired at a young age."

Chick-fil-A Liberty Station is opening its doors Thursday for dine-in, carry-out, curbside pick-up and delivery.

In celebration of the opening, the chain donated $25,000 to Feeding San Diego to support local hunger relief efforts. In addition, the location will participate in the Chick-fil-A Shared Table program, an initiative that redirects surplus food from the restaurant to local soup kitchens, shelters, food banks and nonprofits in need.

The restaurant will also recognize 100 local heroes making an impact in the San Diego area by providing them with free Chick-fil-A entrées for a year, according to the company.

"The vision for our new restaurant is to provide a meaningful employment experience and unmatched care for our community, both within our four walls and beyond," Hughes said. "We find joy in going the extra mile to serve the San Diego community, and I'm excited and humbled to expand this vision and the opportunities we can provide with Chick-fil-A Liberty Station."

Chick-fil-A Liberty Station will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday at 2401 Truxtun Road, Suite 102, in San Diego.