Millington Welcomes Chick-fil-A | Business

Millington welcomes Chick-fil-A

 The Chick-fil-A® restaurant chain and its renegade Cows will be opening Millington’s first stand-alone restaurant on Feb. 10 when the first 100 adults in line that morning will be awarded a free year’s supply of Chick-fil-A. 

            Started seven years ago as an idea for an Arizona restaurant opening, Chick-fil-A’s First 100 Celebration has become the signature event of each grand opening around the country. The chain’s loyal customers often arrive 24 hours in advance of the opening -- no matter the location or weather conditions.

A similar scene is expected at the new Millington Chick-fil-A where the chain will award a one-year supply of free Chick-fil-A® Meals (52 certificates) to each of the first 100 adults in line, age 18 and older with identification, at the restaurant located at 8492 U.S. Highway 51. The line officially opens at 6 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 9, with the free meal cards being awarded Thursday, Feb. 10, sometime between 6 a.m. and 6:10 a.m. The restaurant will open for business immediately thereafter. If there are more than 100 people by 6 a.m. on Wednesday, all 100 spots will be determined by a raffle. See www.chick-fil-a.com/#insidersfirst100 for complete rules. 

The new stand-alone Chick-fil-A in Millington is one of 75 new stand-alone and in-line locations the chain plans to open this year. Despite the nation’s economic challenges, Chick-fil-A continues to expand and grow.  The positive trend continued in 2010 with the chain achieving its 43rd year of consecutive sales increases.

            “Thanks to our family of Operators and restaurant team members who provide freshly prepared food and going-the-extra-mile customer service, Chick-fil-A is fortunate to be able to continue to grow,” said Dan T. Cathy, President and COO, Chick-fil-A, Inc. “We are very fortunate to be blessed with not only committed Operators and team members but also with a tremendous following of loyal customers. They are the reason we do what we do every day.” 

            The First 100 event at each restaurant opening is one way Chick-fil-A both thanks and celebrates its customers, many of whom travel hundreds of miles to participate. Extreme weather conditions or distant locations do not dampen the enthusiasm of those who bring tents, electronics, swimming pools and other gear to pass the time until the restaurant opens.

            Chick-fil-A has given away $13 million in free food at restaurant grand openings since 2003, with nearly $1.8 million of that amount given away in 2010 alone. Once Cathy saw customers willing to camp out in Chick-fil-A parking lots, he decided to join in the fun with his own tent and sleeping bag. December 2009 marked Cathy’s 100th overnight campout with customers at Chick-fil-A grand openings.

“I doubt anyone has as much fun with their customers as I do at these First 100 campouts,” said Cathy, who
enjoys hosting campers for a late night Icedream® Party where he often serenades them with his trumpet. “From
Chick-fil-A Nugget parties and dance contests to basketball games and karaoke, we turn them into all-night parties. For me, there is no better way to get close to our customers and find out their needs than spending the night outside a Chick-fil-A restaurant.”

New Chick-fil-A Operator Grant Edwards is excited to be opening Millington’s first Chick-fil-A restaurant. Edwards, a graduate of the University of Arkansas, moved from Fayetteville, where he served the community as a police officer for nearly six years. His grandfather spent time in Millington where he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy after serving in World War II. Edwards’ fiancé, Jesika Hubbard, also has a Millington connection. Her parents served in the U.S. Navy, and while they were stationed in Millington became engaged. Edwards looks forward to providing excellent customer service to the Millington community.    

“Truett Cathy started Chick-fil-A more than 43 years ago with the aim of providing the best in freshly prepared food and customer service,” said Edwards. “The goal remains the same for my team as we open the long-awaited Millington restaurant.”

Chick-fil-A’s award-winning drive-thru service is a convenient way for Chick-fil-A customers on the go to get their favorite Chick-fil-A menu items. Chick-fil-A ranked number one six times out of the 12-year history of QSR magazine’s Drive-Thru Performance Study that follows 20 quick-service restaurant chains over the course of three months.

“There are several reasons why Chick-fil-A has consistently finished on top,” said Brian Baker, president of Insula Research which conducted the survey on behalf of QSR magazine. “Ultimately it comes down to the fact that Chick-fil-A is an exceptionally well-run organization at all levels of management.”

The new Chick-fil-A on U.S. Highway 51 features a 4,569 square-foot interior that seats 144 and has warm colors and wood accents and a convenient, award-winning drive-thru while children will enjoy an indoor play area featuring an interactive section for toddlers. The new restaurant is open Monday through Saturday from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., serving a full breakfast menu until 10:30 a.m. which will feature the newly launched Spicy Chicken Biscuit.  The Spicy Chicken Biscuit was rolled out nationwide in January following the chain’s most successful new product launch -- the Spicy Chicken Sandwich in June 2010.

Aware of rising health concerns among the population, especially for children, Chick-fil-A has eliminated artificial trans fat from its entire menu and was among the first national quick-service restaurant chains to offer a complete menu – from entrées to condiments – with zero grams of trans fat.