Brett McKinnon spent 19 years working for Chick-fil-A before becoming the first operator to open a location in the South Valley — a milestone he called “humbling and incredibly rewarding.”
McKinnon and his wife, Amber, previously worked as directors, a high-level management role, at a Chick-fil-A in South Carolina before setting their sights on the Central Valley.
Chick-fil-A doesn’t operate as a traditional franchise. The company owns its restaurant locations and equipment, and operators are selected through a competitive application and development process, with only a $10,000 upfront fee.
The McKinnons’ Tulare restaurant, located just off Highway 99 on East Cartmill Avenue, held its grand opening May 7, bringing the chain to a market it had not previously served.
To celebrate, the McKinnons and their team hosted a “Moove-In” party starting at 6:30 a.m. Customers dressed in a full cow costume or wearing cow-spotted accessories received a free entrée or kids meal.
Chick-fil-A is known for its fried chicken sandwiches, wraps, nuggets and tenders, made from a 60-year-old recipe. Its signature smoky Chick-fil-A sauce and waffle-cut fries are also popular menu items.
A Chick-fil-A location in Visalia is set to begin construction soon, to become Tulare County’s second location.
In honor of the new location, Chick-fil-A pledged to donate $25,000 to the Central California Food Bank, Central California’s largest hunger-relief organization, serving Fresno, Madera, Tulare, Kings and Kern counties.
The new restaurant created around 120 jobs.
There are more than 3,000 Chick-fil-A locations in the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada, with plans to expand into Europe and Asia. California has about 200 locations. The Tulare restaurant is the fourth in the Central Valley, joining two in Fresno and one in Clovis.
Homebuilding plays a critical role in maintaining a steady housing supply and keeping prices at sustainable levels. As the U.S. population grows, more housing is needed to meet demand. Since the Great Recession, construction has lagged well behind what is needed, which is one of the main reasons home prices are so high today.
Supply has slowly increased over the past few years but is still below what is needed for the market to balance out. Until that gap closes, prices are likely to remain elevated, and many buyers will likely struggle to afford a home.
So, how many homes are getting built in Merced, CA, in 2026? Is construction increasing or decreasing? Redfin Real Estate analyzed the seasonally-adjusted annual rate of housing permits issued in the city each month over the past year to find out. National permit data is a seasonally adjusted annual rate; metro-level permit data is the non-seasonally adjusted total number of permits issued per month.
MADERA, Calif. (FOX26) — Eastern Madera County’s rapid growth is set to bring major changes to one of the region’s busiest routes, after county leaders approved a sweeping expansion of Highway 41.
In a unanimous vote, the Madera County Board of Supervisors approved the widening of Highway 41 between Avenue 10 and Avenue 15 to four lanes in what was called the largest public works expansion project ever for the county.
The project carries a $130 million price tag. The expansion also includes a new southbound bridge over Avenue 11, a new signal at Avenue 12, and modifications to the existing signal at Avenue 15. Construction and inspection bids were awarded to California Construction Management and Engineering Inc. and Yarbs Grading and Paving Inc.
The project is expected to break ground in May and is scheduled for completion in May 2028.
No existing lanes will be blocked off during construction.
Funding for the project is covered by road impact fees, a federal grant, discretionary federal funds, and property tax revenue from housing and commercial developments along the corridor.
OAKHURST, CA – The mountain community of Oakhurst has earned national recognition for its welcoming atmosphere, being named one of the Best Cities for Traveler Hospitality in the United States for 2026 by Booking.com, according to results released earlier this month.
The recognition comes as part of Booking.com’s 14th annual Traveler Review Awards, announced February 4, 2026. The awards are based on more than 370 million verified traveler reviews worldwide and highlight accommodation and transportation partners that consistently deliver high-quality guest experiences.
Oakhurst was included on the list of top U.S. cities alongside Fredericksburg, Texas, which ranked first overall, followed by Palm Desert, California; Cape May, New Jersey; Broken Bow, Oklahoma; Waikoloa, Hawaii; Bryson City, North Carolina; and Snowmass Village, Colorado. The cities recognized represent a wide range of travel experiences, from coastal destinations and desert retreats to mountain towns and tropical getaways.
According to Booking.com, the rankings are determined by the share of accommodation partners within each city who received a 2026 Traveler Review Award, relative to the total number of eligible properties. To qualify, accommodations were required to maintain an average review score of 8.0 or higher out of 10, based on at least three guest reviews as of November 30, 2025. Destinations also needed to meet minimum thresholds for award recipients and were curated to ensure geographic diversity.
“Our U.S. partners offer travelers a wide range of stays, transportation options, and experiences, with something special for every kind of trip,” said Ben Harrell, Managing Director for the United States at Booking.com. “Recognition for places like Fredericksburg, Palm Desert, and Cape May reflects the care and consistency our partners bring to every stay.”
For Oakhurst, the designation highlights the community’s long-standing role as a primary gateway to Yosemite National Park, as well as its reputation for locally owned lodging, vacation rentals, and visitor services that cater to travelers year-round. Located along Highway 41, Oakhurst serves as a base for visitors exploring Yosemite, the Sierra National Forest, Bass Lake, and surrounding foothill communities.
The recognition also reflects broader trends in traveler preferences. Booking.com reported that vacation homes were the most awarded accommodation type in the United States in 2026, followed closely by hotels and apartments. Globally, apartments remained the most recognized lodging type for the ninth consecutive year,
while camping sites, villas, and traditional Japanese ryokans experienced notable year-over-year growth in award recipients. These trends suggest travelers are increasingly drawn to distinctive stays that provide an authentic sense of place.
Transportation providers were also recognized as part of the Traveler Review Awards. In the U.S., rental car companies led the industry in the number of award-winning partners, followed by providers in the United Kingdom and Spain. Worldwide, the number of recognized rental car partners increased by 49 percent compared to 2025, while airport transfer providers saw an 11 percent year-over-year increase. Booking.com noted that these gains highlight the growing importance of seamless transportation as part of the overall travel experience.
In addition to the U.S. rankings, Fredericksburg, Texas, also appeared on Booking.com’s list of the Best Cities for Traveler Hospitality on Earth in 2026, placing the Texas city among international destinations in Italy, Taiwan, Argentina, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Namibia, Japan, Australia, and Lithuania.
Only travelers who booked accommodations, rental cars, or taxi services through Booking.com are eligible to leave reviews, ensuring that all feedback is based on verified experiences. The company states that reviews are published without edits or adjustments, offering prospective travelers an authentic account of service quality at destinations around the world.
As tourism continues to play a vital role in the local economy, Oakhurst’s inclusion among the nation’s most hospitable cities underscores the collective efforts of area lodging providers and hospitality partners. The recognition places the Yosemite-area community on a national stage, alongside destinations known for consistently positive visitor experiences, and reinforces Oakhurst’s reputation as a welcoming entry point to one of the country’s most iconic national parks.
With the ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday afternoon, the new Kings Area Regional Transit Center is finally a reality. The $31 million investment in the county’s public transportation is now within a couple of months from starting bus service from this location in the heart of Downtown Hanford.
Speakers at the ceremony included Kings County Area Public Transit Agency (KCAPTA) Chairman Joe Neves, California State Assemblymember Alexandra Macedo, California State Senator Melissa Hurtado, Congressman David Valadao’s representative Rachel Clement and KCAPTA Director Angie Dow.
The main transit building covers 19,000 square feet, while the outdoor Bus Bay and outdoor waiting area is a massive 61,000 square feet. The entire four-acre site covers a massive 174,000 square feet within the bounds of Seventh Street to the south, Eighth Street to the north, Harris Street to the west and Brown Street to the east.
A huge boost to Fresno’s downtown revitalization is expected to turn plans into projects. Fresno was granted $100 million in funding, the largest amount the city has ever received from the state. The money is dedicated to downtown Fresno improvements and construction costs. The projects include new street lights, water and sewage lines, improving sidewalks, and two new parking garages. Mayor Jerry Dyer says the goal is to bring more businesses, housing, and residents to downtown Fresno.
“We are doing everything we can to accelerate housing downtown,” he said. “The goal was to get to 10,000 people living downtown, and in order for that to occur, there are a lot of things that need to happen with the infrastructure. The water main, sewer mains, parking structures, all those things that will make it much more inviting for people to develop in the downtown area.”
Construction for the first parking garage is set to start in December. Work on the second structure is planned for February. Another $100 million from the state is expected next year. Those funds are earmarked for an inter-mobile transportation hub, green spaces and other amenities.
A new neighborhood market, Jamba Juice and a 76-branded fuel station are officially under construction in Madera. The project, which was detailed in The Business Journal last year, is located near the southeast corner of State Route 41 and Avenue 15, and is scheduled to open next spring. It will include a convenience market, a car wash and Jamba Juice. It was developed in partnership with Yosemite Travel Center.
“We look forward to bringing a high-quality construction project that goes along with the high standards set by the Tesoro Viejo development,” said Peter Singh, developer and owner of Yosemite Travel Center, in a news release. “We plan to serve the needs of the residents at Tesoro as well as tourists headed out to Yosemite National Park.”
The fuel station will have six pumps with 12 fueling positions and will offer gasoline, diesel and ethanol (E85) fuel. It was originally supposed to include 12 Tesla charging stations; however, those plans were scrapped. The neighborhood market will focus on healthy grab-and-go foods, produce and snacks. Jamba Juice will bring its traditional menu of smoothies, bowls and juices.
“We’re pleased to welcome Yosemite Travel Center and this new development to Tesoro Viejo,” said Brent McCaffrey, President of Tesoro Viejo Development. “This new center will bring a range of conveniences to the community that will serve the needs of the area. Our residents and neighbors will enjoy having the market with a variety of fresh produce, healthy grab-and-go options, and more. Not to mention, Jamba Juice with its plant-based smoothies and delicious bowls. These are all wonderful additions to the community.”
The 1,600-acre Tesoro Viejo master-planned community in southeastern Madera County will include up to 5,190 homes, schools, parks, trails and a walkable town center. It was named the 2023 Community of the Year by the National Association of Home Builders.
Lathrop is getting a Sam’s Club. On Thursday, the membership store operated by Walmart announced it will build one of 30 planned new stores over the next five years at Stanford Crossing west of Interstate 5 in Lathrop.
“Lathrop’s position as California’s fastest-growing city makes it an ideal location for retailers,” said Lathrop Mayor Paul Akinjo. “This is a major win for the community, and we are excited to welcome Sam’s Club with open arms.”
Sam’s Club is a retail store where customers – much like Costco – pay a membership fee to access lower prices on a variety of merchandise that’s often sold in bulk.
It is likely to draw consumer dollars from Tracy and Manteca that both have a Walmart but not a Sam’s Club
The City of Lathrop noted on its website, “this new Sam’s Club will significantly enhance shopping convenience, provide job opportunities, and boos the local economic activity.”
Lathrop is California’s fastest growing city. While Manteca added 1,306 housing units last year, its growth rate was 3.1 percent. Manteca currently has 93,000 residents, Lathrop, with less homes to start with, added less homes than Manteca but had a 5.8 percent growth rate. Lathrop currently has 38,857 residents. Detail on construction of the Sam’s Club along with other club features will soon be announced.
Sam Club’s typically represent a $15 million to $25 million investment to build depending upon square footage and location. The Sam Club’s announcement comes after the Lathrop Marketplace had secured new businesses that will be locating in the retail complex on the southwest corner of the Louise Avenue and Interstate 5 interchange.
The development that currently consists of Target, In-N-Out, Sprouts, Starbucks, Chipotle, and Chick-fil-A will be adding a Sutter Health Urgent Care, Sourdough & Co., Cold Stone & Kung Fu Tea, Curry Pizza, and 88 Bao Bao Dumplings & Ramen. Sam’s Club has more than 600 stores in the United States. Costco, by comparison, has 890 stores in the United States including in Manteca and Tracy.
A ribbon cutting ceremony was held Monday for the Madera Rescue Missions’s Triage Center. The Triage Center consists of six pre-manufactured tiny homes located on the Mission’s 7,600-square-foot lot. The county plans to build more in the future to accommodate those experiencing homelessness like resident David Campos. Campos said it was around 2020 when times became really tough for him.
“During Covid, we had trouble paying our bills,” Campos said. “So, I went to several places, you know, trying to find a place.”
Campos moved around from different places in Fresno and eventually landed at the Madera Rescue Mission. On Monday, city and county officials held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the tiny homes and how they will be benefiting those in the county, like Campos. The project was funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Community Development Block Grants, as well as ARPA funding.
Kings County announced the grand opening of the Behavioral Rehabilitation Academy New Chance Hub, or BRANCH. This state-of-the-art facility is designed to provide comprehensive rehabilitation services to young people, empowering them to overcome challenges and build brighter futures.
“I am thrilled to witness the grand opening of The BRANCH,” said Leonard A. Bakker II, Chief Probation Officer, Kings County Probation Department. “This cutting-edge facility represents a significant step forward in our commitment to providing young people with the tools and support they need to succeed. By offering comprehensive rehabilitation services, we are empowering these individuals to overcome adversity and build brighter futures. The BRANCH is a beacon of hope for our community.”
The BRANCH offers a holistic approach to rehabilitation, combining educational, therapeutic, and rehabilitative services, the County stated. The goal is to help participants develop coping skills, improve mental health, and successfully reintegrate into their communities.
