Following multiple notices from city clerk; they were due May 2 and Aug. 1; committee leaders meeting Thursday “to get it done”; signature gathering contractor refuses to talk; request for contract with signature gathering company ignored

By Allen D. Payton

The campaign finance report, known as a Form 460, for each of the Antioch Mayor Lamar recall campaigns, was due on July 1 and August 1, 2022. So far, only Thorpe’s campaign committee has filed his latest quarterly report on August 1. However, according to Antioch City Clerk Ellie Householder, as of Tuesday, August 9, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. the Committee to Recall Mayor Lamar Thorpe who claims they were ripped off in the amount of $23,000 and all the estimated 11,000 signatures, has not submitted their 460 reports. (See related articles here and here)

Thorpe’s report shows he had raised an additional $1,000 since the last reporting period. That was contributed by retired Antioch resident and real estate investor Joseph Zamora. But the mayor’s committee did not spend any of the $78,108.60 remaining balance through June 30th. (See related article)  Thorpe Beat the Karen Recall 460 080122

In response to a request for copies of the recall committee’s form 460 reports, if they had been submitted, since they don’t appear on the city clerk’s campaign finance reporting website, in an email at 5:38 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 9 Householder wrote, “According to our records, the ‘Committee to Recall Mayor Lamar Thorpe’ has not filed any Form 460. Please see a record below of the multiple reminder notifications since May 2022. These were sent to their Assistant Treasurer’s e-mail, which is tied to their NetFile account, at a ‘live.com’ e-mail address. Their 2nd quarter statement for the period, 04/01/22 – 06/30/22, was due August 1, 2022. The Committee to Recall Mayor Lamar Thorpe did not provide a phone number on their Statement of Organization, so the only communication to this committee was via email. Attached was the first PDF letter of notification for their quarterly statement, which was duplicated 6 more times for the other notices, adjusting the date for each of the deadline in the list below. Please note the street address was redacted in the letter, per Gov’t Code §6254.4.”

However, looking at their Statement of Organization known as a Form 410, it clearly shows phone numbers for both the committee treasurer James Pringle and assistant treasurer Tom Hartrick, as well as for principal officer Clarke Wilson.  Committee to Recall Thorpe 410

A question was sent to both Householder and Deputy City Clerk Christina Garcia asking about that and how they could have missed seeing their phone numbers on the form.

Householder responded, “A point of clarification, their Netfile account does not include their phone number. Per Antioch Municipal Code §2-6.101 (A), campaign filings are done through ‘the City Clerk’s online system,’ which for the City of Antioch is Netfile. And as you know, filing deadline notifications are sent via Netfile. 

Ultimately, however, per California Government Code § 84104, it is the duty of the committee to, ‘establish that campaign statements were properly filed.’ Additionally,  FPPC Regulations §18427 states that the committee treasurer is responsible for meeting all applicable filing deadlines. Notifications of deadlines are sent by the City Clerk’s Office as a courtesy, not a requirement. A courtesy notification, of which, five were sent to the Recall Mayor Lamar Thorpe Committee, per my previous email.

It is the duty, however, of the local filing official to send notification of non-filing to committees, which was sent by my office on 8/9/22. I have attached a copy of that letter to this email.”

Qtrly Filing Notification – Committee to Recall 05-03-22    Notice of Non-Filer Status for Committee to Recall Mayor Lamar Thorpe 8-9-22

Committee Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer to Meet Today to “Get It Done”, Request for Contract with Signature Gathering Company Ignored

Questions were sent to Pringle, Hartrick and recall organizer Lindsey Amezcua on Tuesday, August 9 asking about the committee’s Form 460 report. But no response was received.

But on Wednesday, August 10 when informed of the email from Householder, Pringle responded, “I am meeting with Tom tomorrow after work to get it done. I spoke to him earlier in the week. The plan was to get it done before the first, but then I got Covid.”

“Definitely should/could have been done earlier,” he added.

When informed that the first report was due May 2 Pringle responded, “Good Lord. This is my first and probably last time doing this.”

Householder’s email to the Herald was forwarded to both Pringle and Hartrick Wednesday evening asking why wasn’t the​ first report submitted, yet which was due May 2 and if they were not aware it was due prior to the first notice being sent by Householder.

Hartrick was also asked why he ignored all of the city clerk’s notices.

They were also asked for any other comments about this delay in reporting the committee’s finances and for a copy of the reports once they’ve been submitted to the clerk’s office.

An additional effort to reach Hartrick was unsuccessful prior to publication time.

Finally, they were asked to provide a copy of the contract with signature gathering contractor Bryan Schafer and his company Blitz Canvassing and/or his associate, Kim Ridley and copies of the cancelled checks paid to him/them.

In a text message exchange with the 25-year-old Schafer on June 8, 2022, he was asked to offer his side of the story and if what the recall organizers claim about him is true. He responded that same night, “We can set up a time to call tomorrow. Sorry I’ve been busy getting all my people to work for Michigans [sic] campaigns.”

However, Schafer has not answered or returned any phone calls or responded to additional text messages since then.

Please check back later for any updates to this report.

 

 

Filing closes Friday, Aug. 12 at 5:00 p.m.

By Allen D. Payton

The race for the Antioch City Council elections in November will so far see both incumbents, Councilwomen Tamisha Torres-Walker in District 1 and Monica Wilson in District 4 running for re-election with each facing multiple challengers.

According to Administrative Analyst Edgar Villanueva Jr. in the City Clerk’s Department, as of Wednesday morning at 11:00 a.m., the following candidates have pulled papers and those with an asterisk (*) by their name have completed the filing process:

Council District 1 

• Incumbent Tamisha Torres-Walker*
• Former Antioch councilwoman and school board trustee Joyann E. Motts*
• Gregory Stornetta a senior bankruptcy specialist at Bank of the West (according to his LinkedIn profile)
• Former School Board Trustee (Carole) Diane Gibson-Gray
• 2020 mayoral candidate Gabriel V. Makinano

Council District 4 

• Incumbent Monica E. Wilson*
• Current District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock
• Retired Richmond Police Lt. Shawn Pickett* (30 years on the force)
• Former Antioch Police Crime Prevention Commission Chair and 2020 candidate Sandra G. White

More details will be provided about each candidate once filing has closed. Since both incumbents are running for re-election filing for both council seats closes Friday, Aug. 12 at 5:00 p.m.

 

Also has history of arrests including for domestic violence in 2015, as well as murder and other, similar weapons charges last year

By Antioch Police Department

Way to go, rookie!!

On Tuesday, August 9, 2022, at 9:30 a.m., Antioch Police Officer King conducted a suspicious vehicle stop on W. 7th Street of a car parked alongside a curb with two people appearing to be asleep inside. Concerned for their safety, Officer King approached the vehicle to speak to the gentleman to ensure they were OK. When he made it up to the driver’s window, Officer King saw drug paraphernalia on the driver’s lap.

After waking the occupants up, Officer King searched the car and located a loaded AR-style pistol in a black bag near the feet of the driver, 32-year-old James Cornell Chatman of Antioch. Seeing as he was a felon and was not allowed to own a firearm, Chatman was promptly arrested and transported to jail at the Martinez Detention Facility. He is being charged with for PC 29800(A)(1) – felon in possession of a firearm; PC 25850(A) – loaded firearm in a vehicle or in public; and PC 25400(A)(1) – carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle under the person’s control.

According to homefacts.com Chatman is a registered sex offender and according to the Megan’s Law website it was for lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14 years of age.

According to localcrimenews.com he has a history of arrests dating back to 2015. Chatman was arrested that year by Contra Costa Sheriff’s Deputies for inflicting corporal injury on a spouse/cohabitant and assault with a deadly weapon likely to produce great bodily injury. In March 2021 he was arrested by Antioch Police for participating in an illegal speed contest and evading a police officer. Then on Sept. 11, last year, Chatman was arrested, again by Contra Costa Sheriff’s Deputies for murder, assault with a firearm on a person, carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle, carrying a loaded firearm when not the registered owner.

Your police department remains dedicated to removing illegally owned/possessed firearms off the street. Keep up the hard work Officer King!

APD PIO Darryl Saffold and Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

By Antioch Police Department

Please join us in celebrating the distinguished career of Lieutenant Tarra Mendes as she rides off into the sunset to enjoy her retirement. Returning to the beginning, Lieutenant Mendes started her law enforcement career with the Antioch Police Department as a Reserve Police Officer in 1993. Then, through hard work and an impeccable work ethic, Lieutenant Mendes was hired as a Community Services Officer in January of 1995.

After being hired as a full-time sworn officer in May of 1997, Lieutenant Mendes’ list of accomplishments was genuinely outstanding. During her tenure, she served in the following assignments: patrol officer, Problem Oriented Policing Officer (POP), bike officer, property and person crimes investigator, weaponless defense/baton instructor, jail operations instructor, hostage negotiator, training manager, background investigator, internal affairs investigator, recruiter, social media manager, and PD events. Not to mention her ascension through the ranks up to Lieutenant!

Even with that impressive resume, one of Lieutenant Mendes’ most outstanding achievements is that she was a part of the hiring of well over 100 past and present employees of the Antioch Police Department over the last 16-plus years.

Last but certainly not least, Lieutenant Mendes, alongside Ana Cortez and Samantha Peterson, created and ran the police department’s Holiday Giveaway, Halloween Event, and Easter Egg Hunt. A lot of hard work goes into these events, and the joy had by the community will always be one of the highlights of Lieutenant Mendes’ career.

THANK YOU, LIEUTENANT MENDES; you will be missed. Thank you for your service to the city and citizens of Antioch! On behalf of your family at the PD, please enjoy your retirement.

The senior honor student connected to the program as a delegate of The Congress of Future Medical Leaders

Daughter of Dr. Lance and Treasure Miller

By Allen D. Payton

Brentwood resident Presley Miller, a senior at Freedom High School in Oakley, California recently returned from a two-week summer honors program in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania with FutureDocs Abroad for high school and undergraduate students who aspire to a career in the medical field.

She was selected for the opportunity through her participation as a delegate to The Congress of Future Medical Leaders, a nationally recognized high school honors program of the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists. Students must have a minimum 3.5 GPA to qualify. Miller’s GPA is 4.0. She attended the Congress which was held via Zoom in June 2021.

A separate group of students went to Vietnam during the same weeks. Miller chose Tanzania to apply for “because it was in Africa where I’ve never been.”

FutureDocs Abroad is an honors-only program, of the National Leadership Academies, that allows qualified high school students a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to gain real-life experience and access what only third and fourth-year medical students can in the United States. The purpose of this internship is to honor, inspire, motivate, and direct the top students in the country, to stay true to their dream and, after the program, to provide a path, plan, and resources to help them reach their goal.

It puts passionate and qualified students into an intense medical environment overseas, where every single day it allows them an opportunity to experience, now what they’ve only been able to imagine.

FutureDocs Abroad was founded on the belief that strong emotional intelligence is the cornerstone of student success and is committed to supporting students in their development. The National Leadership Academies also recognizes that prospective talent must be identified at the earliest possible age and help must be given to these students to acquire the necessary experience and skills to take them to the doorstep of vital careers as leaders and in the fields of medicine and the sciences.

“It was exciting to be able to personally experience international medicine and learn the culture of Tanzania, while creating lifelong friendships and memories!” said Miller. “It was an experience of a lifetime.”

During the program, she joined students from across the U.S. and spent time observing surgeries taking place in the operating room, with the surgeon explaining the procedure as it was being performed. Miller also spent time in the gross anatomy lab with a professor, learning about the anatomy and proper dissection of human cadavers and practicing dissection techniques on animal parts. In addition, she shadowed physicians in the emergency room, clinics, and wards in over a dozen areas of specialty, including pediatrics, oncology, surgery, orthopedics, OB/GYN, and more.

“I got to observe a C-section, cesarean, and watch a baby take his first breath,” Miller shared as her favorite part of the trip. That gave her the desire to focus on “neurosurgery and work in pediatrics.”

One of about 50 students on the trip, she was the only one from Freedom High and encourages other students to participate, as well.

“If you have the opportunity to be a part of The Congress and be able to sign up and be selected to go on this trip, other students should do it. I would do it again, personally,” Miller stated. “If other kids in our area are able to experience this it will be amazing.”

“It took about 30 hours of travel each way,” she shared. “We had to first fly to New York to meet up with the group and fly together from there.”

They landed in Dubai after a 12 or 13-hour flight, followed by a five-hour flight to Tanzania, Miller explained.

“But coming home it was longer due to layovers,” she added.

Asked how she learned about the program she explained, “I got a certificate in the mail from a doctor, Stephen Mitchell, the dean of Georgetown Medical School in May 2021.”

“I was like, ‘what is this?’” Miller said. “It was a selection for the Award of Excellence from the Congress of Future Medical Leaders and an invitation to attend it.”

There’s a fee to participate in the program. “But part of it was covered by a sponsor who paid for everyone,” she shared.

As part of the Congress, Miller did extra course work to earn one college credit. She has also been taking high school courses, more than required, for a degree in medicine.

“I took anatomy and physiology this last year and taking AP biology and chemistry, this year,” Miller shared.

Asked about her college plans, she said, “my goal is to go to UCLA, but I’m open to anything, anywhere for undergraduate school that would be a good connection to medical school, whatever God has planned for me.”

Miller is also a varsity cheerleader at Freedom High and the daughter of Antioch chiropractor, Dr. Lance and Treasure Miller.

Asked if she was inspired by her father being a chiropractor, Miller said, “Yes. Growing up around it and always being in that environment of the medical field.”

She works with her dad and mom in the office during the summer. Miller’s older sister Haley is starting chiropractic college in the fall.

“As a parent, we’re proud of our daughter’s dreams and inspired by her desire to enter the medical field in neurosurgery,” dad, Lance stated. “When she was younger, Presley wanted to find a cure for Alzheimer’s because my Aunt Pam died of it at an early age.”

“We were a little nervous about her going over there in another country for two weeks, but excited at the same time,” he shared. “Thank God for technology because we were able to speak with her every day on WhatsApp and Facetime.”

Presley’s mom, Treasure spoke about the trip and her interest in medicine from early childhood.

“I took her to New York, and we met with the program at JFK airport, then they took her from there to Tanzania. We had to participate in Zoom meetings before she went,” she shared. Presley said they got to New York City two days before and went shopping in Manhattan.

“I’m not sure how they got her information, but I’m sure it was during COVID when the students went online and she was showing her interests in college and they got her information,” Treasure explained.

“She’s always known since she was five that she wanted to be a neurosurgery,” her mom, continued. “I asked, ‘why neurosurgery?’”

“She said ‘you, know, Mom, everyone needs a brain and I’ll never be out of a job,’” Treasure stated.

“I’m extremely proud of her and I know God has a plan for her in her life and has definitely set her up for this,” Presley’s mom, said. “It was very hard for me to let her go to a third world country at 17-years-old. So, I had to really give it to God and pray about it and let her go and trust she would be fine.”

“She was 13 hours ahead,” Treasure stated. “So, when her day was ending my day was starting,” and vice versa,

“I’ve always known since she was very little that God gave her this gift to heal people, kind of like her dad, to heal people with his hands,” she continued. “But she’s going down a different road. They work together. You can’t live without your brain or your spine. She’s a different child, a very old soul, very mature for her age and always has been.”

“She does work hard at it. But she’s very dedicated,” Treasure added.

About The Congress of Future Medical Leaders

High-achieving and deserving high School students are selected to become Delegates of the Congress of Future Medical Leaders by parents, teachers, and other educational avenues. Student Delegates are screened through an application process that includes GPA verification. Academically superior high school students are honored for their dedication, talent, and leadership potential in medicine.

During the Congress, Delegates hear from the world’s leading medical pioneers, groundbreaking researchers, young prodigies who are carving the way for the future of medicine and medical technology, and from patients who have had their lives changed (or saved) by medicine.

The stage is graced by the greatest living minds from different areas of medicine, medical technology and engineering, research, and science—some that Delegates may not know exist! They share insights into who they are, what they do, their successes, failures, and practical advice for Delegates.

For more information, visit www.TheNationalLeadershipAcademies.com or call (888) 986-6563.

 

Ana Cortez replaces Nickie Mastay

By Allen D. Payton

Administrative Analyst for the Antioch Police Department, Ana Cortez has been promoted to Human Resources Director for the City of Antioch. On August 1, 2022, she replaced Nickie Mastay who left her position with the title of Administrative Services Director to take the position of Assistant City Manager in Richmond.

A post on the APD Facebook page on Monday, August 1, reads, “In 2006, Ana Cortez was hired as a temporary employee in the HR department soon after graduating from CSU Hayward (East Bay) with a bachelor’s in science, with an emphasis in Human Resources. Shortly after, she was hired full-time as a Human Resources Technician responsible for police recruitment, benefits, and the City’s Risk Management. Adding to her already impressive resume, in 2014, Ana was brought on as an Administrative Analyst at the Police Department who was responsible for managing the department’s $56 million budget, grants, assisting with personnel matters, and hiring staff.

In addition to all her other duties and responsibilities, Ana was a vital member of the Recruitment Team, Peer/Wellness Support Team, and the Social Media Team. If you weren’t already impressed by Ana’s work ethic, we would also like to add that she was Employee of the Year in 2015. Trying to sum up what Ana meant to this organization would be impossible as she was instrumental to the success of this agency. Ana has dedicated her life to the city of Antioch and enjoyed working on community events, specifically the Trick-or-Treat with APD, Holiday Food Drive, and Easter Egg Hunt.

Today, Ana starts the next chapter in her career as the Human Resources Director for the City of Antioch. Congratulations, Ana! Your promotion is well deserved, and we will miss you over at the PD. Good Luck!!!”

About Cortez’ promotion, in a post on Monday on District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker’s official Facebook page she wrote, “Congratulations Ana Cortez on your promotion to Human Resources Director for the City of Antioch and thank you for your 17 years of service to the City of Antioch.”

Almost 60 vendors including Tesla, other employers, community service organizations

“Entry-level jobs for the younger people and careers for the older people” – organizer Yvette Williams

By Allen D. Payton

The City of Antioch and Antioch Police Department in collaboration with Back on Track Community Services cordially invite you to take part in a Free Community Day Back to School Event, tomorrow, Saturday, August 6, 2022, at Contra Loma Estates Park from Noon to 5 p.m.

It will be a jobs and resource fair with booths by employers and community service organizations. Plus, the event will include live entertainment, carnival rides, food booths and gas card giveaways donated by the participating employers, community resource agencies and non-profit organizations.

According to the announcement about the event, “the City of Antioch and the Antioch Police Department are committed to investing in our most vulnerable citizens who are un-housed and underemployed. This Community Day event promote the ongoing efforts of revitalization of the Sycamore Corridor, and to additionally uplift the citizenry and increase civic pride.”

Concord-based Back On Track Community Services is a non-profit 501(c)(3) multi-service organization dedicated to improving the lives of women, men and children who are underserved and under-employed. Back on Track uses harm reduction, viable-reliable community resources and peer mentoring to assist community members achieve their financial, housing and educational goals for a fulfilling life.

According to Back on Track’s Yvette Williams, she was hired by the city’s Interim Police Chief Steve Ford to organize the event. But a flier promoting the event was posted on the City of Antioch Recreation Department’s Facebook page just four days ago, not yet on the police department’s page.

This event will host numerous employers and social service agencies promoting career opportunities and viable community resource programs to our East County Community and surrounding areas. It will be held outside and is open to all community members and their families.

“We have almost 60 vendors that will be there with any kind of community-based service you can think of, including housing, health, on-site COVID testing and take-home tests, an optometrist providing free vision screenings, free bags of groceries, free backpacks,” she shared. “Employers will include Tesla, CalTrans, Tri Delta Transit and San Francisco MTA bus service.”

“Entry-level jobs for the younger people and careers for the older people,” Williams added. “It’s for anyone including those returning from prison.”

The event will also feature the following Community Outreach Opportunities /Activities:

• Free Hot Lunch for all Vendors/Community Members
• Live Music & Entertainment
• Many Free Activities for Children
• First 200 Participant’s to receive Free Backpack-School supplies
• Employment Opportunities
• Free Vaccines for COVID-19/ FREE COVID-19 at home test kits.
• Free Daily Childcare/Preschool Sign up
• Returning Citizens Employment/Housing Services
• Face Painting Artist
• Balloon Twisting – Glitter Tattoos Artist
• Employment Opportunities
• Now Hiring/Community Resource Table
• Guest Speakers
• Giveaways Hourly for Participants
• Free Pony Rides
• Free Haircuts – Urban Barber College / The League XS
• Free Bags of Groceries – to the first 100 Community Members
• Food Bank
• Voter Registration
• Vouchers for Eye Exam/One Pair of Glasses
• Sign up for Snap – EBT Benefits

In a post by District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker on her official Facebook page, she thanked the event’s partners and sponsors. They include The League XS Apprenticeship Academy of Cosmetology and Barbering, the only Antioch-based community partner; Richmond-based Safe Return Project, for which Torres-Walker is executive director,  Mobility LABs Learning and Action Bets, a project of New York City-based Robinhood whose local affiliate is Richmond-based RCF Connects, Concord-based Monument Impact, Oakland-based Makin Moves Motorcycle Club (which also sponsored the recent Antioch Juneteenth event and whose founder Ronald Muhammad contributed $500 to Mayor Thorpe’s campaign committee to defeat the recall), Stockton-based Balance Staffing, Oakland-based Tradeswomen, Inc., Sonoma-based Nelson Connects which has offices in Pleasanton, Fairfield and Fremont, and San Rafael-based Bay Area Community Resources (BACR).

An invitation was sent out by Williams with the APD logo and city’s Sesquicentennial logo to employers and organizations for them to participate in the event. 2022 Antioch Community Day EventBrite -invitation to participate

Asked if the Antioch Chamber of Commerce was asked to send out an invitation to their members who are hiring and might want to participate, Williams said she didn’t. Williams, who said she’s been organizing events since 1999, also organized an Employment, Health & Wellness Resource Fair sponsored by the city held at the Somersville Towne Center last October which included some of the same sponsors as tomorrow’s event.

Torres-Walker was also asked if an invite was sent to the Antioch Chamber of Commerce to eblast out to their members who are hiring and might have wanted to participate. In addition, since it is believed she proposed the event, Torres-Walker was asked who is paying for it, which city department or if the community partners and employers are each paying to rent a booth. Finally, she was asked to provide any other details about the event.

In response, Torres-Walker wrote, “The idea for the community day came from a conversation with the new chief and how he wanted to build some positive relations with the community. I suggested that APD work with a few community groups to put on something fun for families with resources.”

“It is my understanding that this event is funded by APD, and the chief is in the lead. I was at the first initial meeting, but I have been pretty hands off unless someone asked for my assistance,” she continued. “It’s a free event so no one is being charged.”

“I think that Chief Ford is committed to community policing and wants to use this event to build relationships with the community,” Torres-Walker added.

Questions were also sent to Ford and the department’s two captains asking for the costs of the event.

Please check back later for any updates to this report.

Bonchon is bringing even more crunch to California

Popular U.S.-based brand opens first delivery and carryout-only concept

First 50 guests eat free, plus lion dancers

With its wide-array of flavors and crunch-worthy Korean double-fried chicken, Bonchon – meaning “my hometown” – is a food experience unlike any other Eastern Contra Costa County has had before.

The wildly popular restaurant, known for crispy, hand-brushed Korean fried chicken, is opening its 27th California location in Brentwood, situated at 5611 Lone Tree Way (near FedEx Office and  Home Depot) with hours of operations from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The restaurant will be spearheaded by local entrepreneur Thomas Nyugen.

This Brentwood location also marks the very first one for Bonchon dedicated to delivery and carryout operations. With the new model, it will allow for seamless customer interaction and ease the ordering process for individuals looking to get their favorite Bonchon meal through delivery or on-site pickup.

Their menu also has Starters which include pot stickers, shrimp shumai, Takoyaki (ball-shaped calamari), chicken sliders, pork buns, Korean tacos, popcorn shrimp and edamame; Main Dishes which include bulgogi (thinly sliced marinated ribeye, sautéed with mushrooms, scallions, sesame seeds, and onions), japchae (marinated ribeye stir-fry), chicken katsu over rice, tteokbokki (rice cakes with fish cakes), bull dak (spicy chicken and rice cakes), wraps, bibimbap and fried rice dishes, plus udon noodle soups and sesame ginger salads. Their sides include fries, onion rings, kimchi, cole slaw, pickled radish, kimchi coleslaw and, of course, rice; plus they offer a rice cake dessert called mochi. Bonchon | Menu

“Not only am I able to grow with such a globally-loved brand but being able to offer the first delivery and carryout-only location is such an accomplishment,” said Nyugen. “I am eager to serve the Brentwood community Bonchon’s flavorful chicken with our specialty sauce offerings, I am certain that we will quickly become a regular spot for those looking to get a great meal for family, friends or themselves.”

To give residents an opportunity to try Bonchon’s delicious, crunch-worthy wings, a grand opening celebration will take place on Thursday, August 11. The first 50 guests in line will receive five of the brand’s double-fried chicken wings, hand-brushed with their choice of the soy garlic or spicy signature sauce, for free. To add to the grand opening excitement, the Brentwood location will also host lion dancers at 6:00 p.m. on August 11 for all guests to enjoy.

“Our team could not be more eager to open this new California location with Thomas. His passion for Bonchon and dedication to catering to communities’ needs are just two of the reasons he is a great operator within our franchise system,” said Greg Buchanan, chief administrative officer at Bonchon. “Customer convenience is a top priority for us, so developing our first delivery and carryout location is a huge step for the brand. We know that residents will love having an easy way to get their Bonchon fix!”

Since its inception in Busan, South Korea in 2002, Bonchon’s mission to share Korean comfort food around the world has been more than a success. With 385-plus locations worldwide and more than 115 locations in the U.S., the Korean chicken brand is a global sensation. On top of the cult-favorite fried chicken wings, drumsticks and strips, the brand also provides a variety of flavorful offerings and Pan Asian favorites including japchae, kimchi, Korean tacos and potstickers.

As strategic expansion continues and Bonchon locations sustain consistent sales growth, multi-unit operators have placed a high priority on adding the concept into their portfolios.

About Bonchon
Bonchon is a global restaurant brand known for distinctive Korean double-fried chicken, Asian fusion cuisine, and Korean specialties. Born in Busan, South Korea in 2002, the concept was established in the United States in 2006. Bonchon sets out to have its fans “Crunch Out Loud” by sharing the joy of hand-battered, double-fried, crazy crispy Korean fried chicken with the world.

Bonchon currently currently has more than 386 restaurants across eight countries including Thailand, Philippines, Singapore, Cambodia, Myanmar, Australia, Vietnam and the United States. In the U.S. the chain has more than 114 restaurants with franchise outposts in Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Washington D.C., Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Washington.

The brand has earned several accolades – it was recognized by Business Insider as “the gold standard for fried chicken” as well as included in Nation’s Restaurant News 2021 “Top 500 Restaurants”, Fast Casual Magazine’s 2022 “Top 100 Movers & Shakers” and Entrepreneur’s 2022 “Franchise 500”, “Fastest Growing Franchises”, “Top Food Franchise” and “Top Global Franchise” lists.

For more information about Bonchon, visit bonchon.com. To learn more about its franchise opportunities, visit franchising.bonchon.com.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.