I think Bellingham city council is fighting chik fil a for political reasons. Stupid. East side King, Kirkland and Bellevue chik stores are not too far apart. Anyway I think the store in Mt Vernon/Burlington will be done first. I was just using that as an example.Chik fil A is the best restaurant in the Greater Salk Lake City area, with COSTCO food court being a distant second. Some areas are full of awesome dining, some places like SLC simply are not. Can't explain it. When my Wife and I go to California we are always blown away with some many outstanding restaurants.
Big fan of Chik Fil A for quick dining. Really nice chicken sandwich, clean and wonderfully run stores. Of note, IIRC Chik Fil A franchisees are only allowed to operate one location--- the franchisee has "all his skin in the game" for his/ her location.
I can't exactly explain it either. Look at the PNW. Even Seattle, the restaurants have SUCKED for decades. It's like once bad restaurants get established, they stick. Of course there are exceptions, and it IS changing. We have a few good places, even Italian like Storia Cucina in Bellingham has great food.