-September 23,2020
There is still no announcement from the popular burger chain nor from the City but a statement that In-N-Out will open a Tulare location is expected in the next few weeks. The City Council has been asked to contribute to the off-site cost of constructing the development according to an upcoming City agenda item.
The highly anticipated project, next to Evolutions on Prosperity, has been rumored for over a year and now appears to be ready to hatch with a rapidly expanding drive-thru chicken eatery – Cane’s Chicken Fingers – to be located next to the In-N-Out pad on a site plan without naming the tenant.
Tulare Mayor Jose Sigala said he could not confirm the In-N-Out deal but did confirm Cane’s would be next door. An announcement of the whole deal will come from the City soon confirms Sigala.
Cane’s is also building a new restaurant in front of the Sequoia Mall in Visalia, also in Hanford and may be planning a second Visalia location next to In-N-Out’s new Riggin and Dinuba Blvd spot, about ready to break ground. In Bakersfield Cane’s has a store nearby another In-N -Out as well.
A Tulare staff report on the Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) project says the development could bring in $3 to 5 million in sales tax adding the 2 fast food operations also will create more than 100 to 150 jobs. The report adds that construction of the 2-unit, dare we say double-double, fast food development could start later in September. Sources say that schedule will now slip to October.
The City agenda item postponed from Sept 15 says the project, owned by John Roberts and Kent McNiece is “asking for an economic development assistance grant for $21,357 as a contribution to the installation of public improvements associated with a four- acre retail development on Prosperity Avenue in the City of Tulare.” The report cites the cost of the left turn lane.
The agenda item has now been postponed to an upcoming meeting, expected October 6.
Like some corporations, In-N -Out does not like the word getting out on their plans but after 2 years of activity involving the Tulare hospital who formerly owned the parcel and now the involvement of the City in subsidizing the project – the word has spread.