Local News

Deli Delicious: Popular Sandwich Franchise Opens in Chowchilla

CHOWCHILLA - Michael Cheatham gave up the rock star life and became Chowchilla's newest restaurateur. Gone are the days of sleeping in, the lights of Las Vegas stages and screaming fans. His new life revolves around baking breads and preparing fresh ingredients for the premier deli sandwiches he and his fiancée Ashton Wilson will be creating for the fanatical fans of the Central Valley restaurant chain, Deli Delicious.

With the backing of Michael's parents, Phil and Elizabeth Cheatham, the whole family is preparing for opening five restaurants around the state in the next year. Their first one, in Chowchilla, opened its doors a little after their 10:00am scheduled time Thursday with the Deli Delicious faithful waiting in-line to order.

Deli Delicious slices meats, cheeses and veggies fresh as it is ordered. The restaurant also carries beer-battered French fries, curly fries and sweet potatoe fries, among other sides. Any sandwich can be made into a lettuce wrap or salad upon request. According to Cheatham, "We pride ourselves in making the tastiest sandwiches. Cold, hot, and specialty sandwiches all made-to-order."

Deli Delicious has spent the last 20 years creating sandwiches, salads, and wraps. Locally sourced ingredients including savory meats that are sliced fresh daily, crisp veggies, truly delicious bread, plus proprietary sauces and spices. They even prepare their own freshly grilled Tri-tip and chicken slowly marinated and grilled in-store every day.

In 1995, Deli Delicious began with a small deli sandwich shop in Fresno, California. The company moved forward with their restaurant concept keeping one simple principle in mind, “treat all customers like valued guests entering our home.” This turned into a loyal following of regular customers that came to know Deli Delicious as their favorite sandwich.

Based on the success of our first store, they opened six more family-owned stores around Fresno. Then, in 2008, the company began franchising. Fast forward to 2015 and there are 30 franchise stores and 1 affiliate store in California, stretching from Bakersfield to Sacramento, with an additional 40 locations planned in the next two years.

With the company doubling in size three times within the last four years, the company expects their current growth to carry on through 2019, as they plan their moves into Oregon, Washington and Nevada.

Deli Delicious in Chowchilla is located in the Fig Tree Plaza near the Save Mart Grocery Store on Road 26. They are open Monday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Online ordering will soon be available for this location.