New Palm Springs locations for both Chick-fil-A and In-N-Out are not expected to open in 2026, according to city budget documents.
Instead, the documents say Chick-fil-A should open in The Springs shopping plaza in the first half of 2027. Meanwhile, In-N-Out should open in the Smoke Tree Village shopping plaza at the end of 2027 or early 2028.
Both popular chain restaurants have already been approved by the Palm Springs Planning Commission and are now in the process of receiving permits and other required reviews from city departments. Construction has not begun at either site.
Chick-fil-A is further along. The Planning Commission approved the chicken sandwich chain in March 2025 amid pushback over the former CEO’s stance on gay marriage.
The 5,707-square-foot building is set for the south end of the The Springs, near the corner of Ramon Road and North Gene Autry Trail.
In-N-Out, which the Planning Commission approved in July 2025, is further behind Chick-fil-A, but appears to be on track to open in Palm Springs. The popular burger joint is slated to replace an old Bank of America building on the corner of Smoke Tree Lane and East Palm Canyon Drive.
Some Palm Springs residents have spoken out against the chain, citing traffic concerns.
The location has been designed to prevent drive-thru cars from spilling into nearby traffic lanes. In-N-Out plans show a total of 42 cars could queue in line, while an additional 82 parking spots have been designated for dine-in customers.
Chick-fil-A has recently made a push into the Coachella Valley. The first location opened in Palm Desert in 2022, while a second opened in La Quinta in 2025. A third site is also in the works in Indio.
Conversely, In-N-Out has five locations in the Coachella Valley, although none are located in the west valley. The two closest In-N-Outs to Palm Springs are in Rancho Mirage and Thousand Palms, about 20 minutes from the city.
Sam Morgen covers the city of Palm Springs for The Desert Sun. Reach him at smorgen@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: When will Chick-fil-A, In-N-Out open in Palm Springs?
Reporting by Sam Morgen, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
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