Chick-fil-A traffic causes chaos
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - One of Santa Barbara’s most popular fast food restaurants has been under scrutiny for the traffic resulting from its exploding popularity.
It’s one of the most noticeable lines in Santa Barbara. A stream of cars full of hungry customers stopped on upper State Street waiting in the Chick-fil-A drive-thru.
“It’s a real nightmare," Rusty's Pizza delivery man Adrian Arango said. "It really interrupts with us, with people, bicycle riders and everybody.”
Arango has been a longtime employee of the Rusty's location next to Chick-fil-A and says his business has been negatively effected. Recently, he had his delivery car severely damaged while navigating through the chaotic traffic.
“I don’t understand why the city doesn’t care or doesn’t do anything about it,” Arango added.
The Santa Barbara Police Department has investigated at least three traffic incidents within the effected area over the past six months.
As a result, one local Santa Barbara City Councilman has taken notice.
“I think there has been a problem over the years, but it has grown," Santa Barbara City Council member Eric Friedman said. "I’ve noticed it in the past six months or so and it comes to a critical mass.”
According to the law, no vehicle can make a complete stop upon a highway so as to block the reasonable movement of traffic.
“We need people to take the strong decision to not queue if the line is going into State Street," Santa Barbara Transportation Manager Rob Dayton said. "Just dismiss that chicken sandwich for that moment.”
While some are upset.
“It’s a drive through, it’s just lazy and ridiculous and ugly and it’s dangerous,” Santa Barbara resident Elizabeth McAdams said.
Others could care less.
“The traffic is a little bit annoying but I don’t really mind as long as I get my Chick-fil-A," San Marcos High School student John Teel said.
When asked for a statement, Chick-fil-A provided the following:
"We recognize there are traffic concerns surrounding the drive-thru at Chick-fil-A Santa Barbara. We want nothing more than to be a good neighbor, and the restaurant team is working with city officials to identify solutions to manage traffic."
Chick-fil-A Inc.
In response to public outcry, city staff has been working with Chick-fil-A with the hopes of producing a solution.
“Long term we’re looking at adding capacity through their drive-thru," Friedman said. "Chick-fil-A is working with our city attorney, our city administrator, our public works and our community development to redesign the drive-through to get those cars off the street.”
While the priority remains on solving the issue, the clock keeps ticking as frustration levels rise.
“We the drivers feel like going and doing the same to them, like park our cars in front of their business so they know how it feels,” Arango concluded.
The City of Santa Barbara is asking for people's help with preventing this ongoing problem by advising drivers to not stop in the Chick-fil-A line on State Street.
