This new sourdough sandwich chain is rising in the Central Valley. What to know
A new chain of sourdough sandwich shops is popping up throughout the Central Valley, with five locations simultaneously having their grand openings last weekend in Lodi-Kettleman, Lodi Reynolds Ranch, Visalia, Porterville and Galt.
The chain, Cali Rays Sourdough Deli, offers an expansive menu of deli-style sandwiches made on freshly baked sourdough bread, as well as wraps, soups and salads. The name is meant to evoke the warm, golden color of bread fresh from the oven, and of a California sunrise.
The six Bakersfield locations hosted their grand openings three weeks previous to last weekend’s openings. In all, the chain currently has 22 locations spanning the valley from Chico to Bakersfield, plus another location in Oceanside. All locations have launched within the past few months.
The CEO, Gurdeep Bains, didn’t get his start in the restaurant world, though. He’s a former nurse.
“It’s definitely not the traditional path into restaurants, but nursing taught me a lot about caring for people, staying calm under pressure, working hard and paying attention to detail,” he said.
“I really loved helping people, but over time I realized that what I enjoyed most was connecting with people, making someone’s day better and serving the community. That passion eventually led me into entrepreneurship and the food business.”
Bains was drawn to sourdough for a couple of reasons. First, he appreciates its connection to California history, San Francisco and the Gold Rush in particular. But his background in healthcare is another tether.
“Because of the natural fermentation process, many people find sourdough easier to digest, and it can be a better option for those looking for a more wholesome bread choice,” he said.
Several locations of the chain, including the Galt location, were previously franchises of West Coast Sourdough. That chain is embroiled in a legal dispute with its founder and former CEO, Karndeep “Kay” Uppal, who filed suit in February that he had been wrongfully ousted in 2024, according to the Sacramento Business Journal.
The franchisees migrated away from the legacy brand because of rising food costs, slowing sales and a lack of engagement from the corporate office, according to The Fresno Bee. West Coast Sourdough launched in Fresno in 2021.
Unsurprisingly, the menus are similar, though some of the offerings at Cali Ray’s, such as the flatbreads, come in significantly cheaper. Cali Ray’s also is the only one of the two chains to offer wraps.
