ORANGE COUNTY : Boston Chicken Debuts Today:

Boston Chicken, which set a Wall Street record when its stock began trading in late 1993, makes its Southern California debut today with a franchised store on Brookhurst Street in Fountain Valley. The unit will be operated by Anaheim-based CKE Restaurants Inc., which also owns the Carl’s Jr. chain. Boston Chicken, which sells rotisserie chicken and side dishes, faces intense competition as it expands into Southern California. For example, El Pollo Loco, Kentucky Fried Chicken and Kenny Rogers Roasters are selling roasted chicken at stores within a few blocks of the new Boston Chicken location. CKE Restaurants plans to open as many as 300 Boston Chicken outlets in Southern California and Sacramento in coming years.