Chick-fil-A to Open New Free-Standing Restaurant in Glen Allen Nov. 18

RICHMOND, VA -- 11/18/2004 -- Chick-fil-A Inc., just named Best Drive-Thru in America by Quick Service Restaurant magazine for the third consecutive year, will celebrate the opening of metro Richmond’s newest free-standing restaurant located at 3380 Pump Road in Glen Allen on Nov. 18 by giving away nearly $26,000 in free food in 15 minutes to the first 100 adults in line at the new restaurant.

Festivities include awarding a one-year supply of free Chick-fil-A combo meals (52 coupons) on Nov. 18 to each of the first 100 adults, age 18 and older, in line by 6 a.m. Customers may line up starting 24 hours in advance at the new restaurant in Glen Allen at Short Pump Crossing. The restaurant will officially open for business at 6:30 a.m.

“It’s been a year since we started the first 100 event and we continue to be amazed at the Chick-fil-A fans who have gotten in line as early as 24 hours before the awarding of the free year supply of food in all types of weather conditions including 60 mph winds, freezing rain, and tornado warnings,” said Chick-fil-A Inc. President Dan Cathy, son of the founder of Chick-fil-A. “I know that our loyal customers in Richmond have been waiting for this grand opening day and I know they will love the new free-standing design and the ’my pleasure’ customer service.”

Rob Preservati has been chosen to operate the new free-standing restaurant which will stay open continually from 6:30 a.m., Nov. 18, until 10 p.m., Nov. 20. Preservati will host a number of events including a Radio Disney “Karaoke Christmas” Competition from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., on Nov. 18, “Bingo and Biscuits” for seniors from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Nov. 19, “Middle and High School Spirit Night” from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Nov. 19 . A Christian band concert from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Nov. 20 will close out the restaurant’s grand opening weekend.

Along with an indoor, state-of-the-art interactive playground, the new Chick-fil-A restaurant reflects a new free-standing restaurant design that reflects a more casual dining look to further separate it from its quick-service competitors. The restaurant’s interior features warmer jewel-toned colors, wood accents, and other changes intended to make the restaurant more efficient and the dining experience even more pleasurable.

Chick-fil-A’s commitment to unparalleled food quality, customer service and employee loyalty does not go unnoticed. In recent weeks, virtually every aspect of the Chick-fil-A’s operations has received four major recognitions from national organizations and publications. These awards include:

-- Chick-fil-A was named “Best Drive-Thru in America” for the third straight year this month following Quick Service Restaurant magazine’s annual restaurant study of 25 chains that surveys order accuracy, menu display, speaker clarity and the speed of service to fill orders.
-- Chick-fil-A is a winner in Fast Company magazine’s inaugural Customers First Awards, singling out Chick-fil-A Inc. President Dan Cathy’s leadership as a key reason the chain continues to thrive and grow while maintaining a close connection with its team members and customers. Using a panel of experts and a survey of customers, the magazine named Cathy and Chick-fil-A as the winner in its Customer-Centered Leader category.
-- For the 10th year out of the past 11, Chick-fil-A received the Consumer Choice in Chains Award in the chicken category by Restaurants & Institutions, a leading food service industry publication which studied consumer experiences with food quality, menu variety, value, and service.
-- Chick-fil-A topped the quick-service restaurant competition in the South, ranking first in J. D. Power and Associates 2004 Restaurant Satisfaction Study, which rated restaurants in environment, meal, service and cost. Chick-fil-A received top ratings in two of the four categories - meal and service.

While customers at the new restaurant will enjoy warmer, relaxing colors inside, they will find Chick-fil-A’s commitment to freshly made, top-quality food remains unchanged. Customers will be able to visit the Chick-fil-A starting at 6:30 a.m. when the restaurant opens with a full breakfast menu that includes the popular chicken biscuit and Fresh Fruit Cup, along with an early sampling of the new line of breakfast items being launched nationwide in November.
New items include the Breakfast Burrito -- a soft flour tortilla filled with spicy chargrilled chicken or sausage, scrambled eggs, onions and peppers, and a blend of Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheeses; Bagel Sandwich, a breakfast portion of Chick-fil-A’s famous boneless breast of Chick-fil-A chicken seasoned to perfection and cooked in peanut oil is served between a slice of American cheese and folded eggs on a toasted honey oat bagel; and Chick-fil-A® Chick-n-Minis™, the chain’s popular bite-sized Chick-fil-A® Nuggets nestled in a warm yeast roll lightly brushed with a honey butter spread.

Open Monday through Saturday until 10 p.m., the restaurant includes an award-winning lunch and dinner menu featuring the chain’s newly enhanced Chargrilled Chicken Sandwich -- the healthiest chicken sandwich offering of any leading quick-service restaurant chain -- that features a toasted Golden Wheat bun, green leaf lettuce, crisp tomato slices and a new Honey Roasted BBQ Sauce.

Chick-fil-A is well known for using the freshest ingredients available and handling its own menu prep work onsite. Chick-fil-A’s closed-on-Sunday policy also stands out in the quick service restaurant industry. Since Truett Cathy founded the company more than 36 years ago, the chain has maintained Sunday as a day off to allow employees to spend time with family and worship if they choose.

Along with customer service, Operators also are committed to being a mentor to their employees by developing teamwork and leadership qualities. Employees are encouraged to pursue post-high school education and have the opportunity to receive Chick-fil-A Leadership Scholarships -- totaling nearly $1.1 million annually. Virginia has received more than $850,000 out of the $19.4 million awarded nationwide since 1973.

Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A is the second-largest quick-service chicken restaurant chain with 1,175 restaurants in 37 states and Washington D.C. The chain expects to build more than 90 locations this year, including 73 free-standing units. For more information, visit www.chick-fil-a.com or www.chick-fil-apressroom.com.

Contact Information

Jerry Johnston

Senior Manager, Public Relations

Chick-fil-A, Inc.

Contact via E-mail