HOUSTON, Texas (Sept. 13, 2012) – Chick-fil-A® will celebrate the grand opening of its seventh Greater Houston Area stand-alone restaurant in nine months – this time on Gulf Freeway – by giving away a free year’s supply of Chick-fil-A to the first 100 adults in line when the doors open on Sept.13.
Chick-fil-A’s “First 100 Celebration” quickly became a hallmark of each grand opening when the chain first held the event in Arizona in 2003. More than 18 hours before the restaurant opened, the first person arrived and asked where to get in line. Since then, the chain has given away more than $16 million in free food at almost 600 grand openings. The parking lot parties attract Chick-fil-A’s loyal customers who come from around the block and across the country equipped with couches, TVs, computers, tents and other gear. Even extreme weather conditions do not dampen the enthusiasm of the participants who often arrive more than 24 hours in advance.
The latest Chick-fil-A First 100 celebration will occur at 5940 Gulf Freeway 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, ages 18 and older with identification – which is a total of more than $26,000 in free food. The line officially opens at 6 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 12, with the free meal cards being awarded Thursday, Sept. 13, 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, Sept. 12, all 100 spots will be determined by raffle. Click here for complete rules.
Houston’s newest stand-alone restaurant features the chain’s latest interior and kitchen design, allowing team members to quickly serve customers who dine in, drive-through or request catered orders for larger off-site events. The restaurant’s design and capacity illustrates the historic shift in consumer habits from 1967 when S. Truett Cathy opened his first Chick-fil-A restaurant inside Greenbriar Mall in Atlanta, to 2011 when the chain opened its 1,000th stand-alone restaurant with the majority of business now coming from customers on the go.
Since January, the chain has created more than 500 jobs with seven openings in the Greater Houston Area that includes the newest opening of the Chick-fil-A at 45 and Wayside, in addition to locations in Pearland, Houston, Katy, Willis, Deer Park, and Spring.
The new restaurant on Gulf Freeway is one of 96 locations the chain plans to open across the country in 2012, creating nearly 7,000 new jobs. Despite the challenging economy, Chick-fil-A continued to grow in 2011, reporting record-setting annual sales of more than $4 billion, representing a 13 percent increase over 2010 and the 44th consecutive year of sales growth since the company began in 1967. Chick-fil-A’s overall growth will continue in 2012 with the projected addition of 79 stand-alone, two malls and 15 licensed locations.
“We are thrilled to follow up a very exciting 2011 where we saw the opening of our 1,000th stand-alone restaurant with continued growth across the country this year,” said Dan T. Cathy, president and COO, Chick-fil-A, Inc. “Our outstanding franchised Operators and their team members provide both the freshly prepared food and excellent service on both sides of the counter that has our customers asking us to bring Chick-fil-A closer to where they live. In fact, the team at 45 and Wayside will be glad to provide a ‘Backstage Tour’ of the new location to restaurant guests.”
Founder Truett Cathy perfected his recipe for a boneless breast-of-chicken sandwich while operating the Dwarf Grill which he opened in Hapeville, Ga., in 1946. The sandwich became the signature menu item when he opened the first Chick-fil-A, and it continues to be the hallmark product of the chain as it has grown to more than 1,660 restaurants in 39 states and Washington D.C.
Becky Chin will continue to extend that legacy as franchised Operator of the newest Houston restaurant. A long awaited homecoming, Chin brings more than four years of Chick-fil-A experience and is transferring from Chick-fil-A at North Star Mall in San Antonio. Chin becomes the fifth female franchised Operator in Greater Houston with the opening of the 57th Chick-fil-A location. Chin is a graduate of the University of Houston where she earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Chin is glad to be back in Houston where she will be close to her family and friends.
“Chick-fil-A has come a long way since Truett opened that first tiny Chick-fil-A restaurant in an Atlanta mall 45 years ago, but one thing has remained constant – our focus on providing top quality food in a friendly neighborhood environment,” said Chin. “My team members and I share that same commitment at our new 45 and Wayside restaurant and can’t wait to welcome and serve our new guests.”
The new Chick-fil-A at 45 and Wayside seats 138 with additional outdoor seating, and has warm colors and wood accents and convenient, award-winning drive-thru service. The new restaurant is open Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., serving a full breakfast menu until 10:30 a.m.
Chick-fil-A offers a completely trans fat-free menu and was among the first national fast-food restaurant chains to do so. In January the chain added grilled Chick-fil-A Chicken Nuggets as a Kids’ Meal option which, when paired with a fresh fruit cup or Buddy Fruits® Pure Blended Fruit To Go applesauce, is one of the most nutritious children’s meal combinations offered among any major fast-food chain.
To continue meeting a variety of customers’ menu needs, the chain recently launched a new line of desserts that include a revamped Fudge Brownie without nuts, baked fresh daily Chocolate Chunk Cookie, and an Icedream Sundae that can also be coupled with the brownie or cookie. And for a limited time, the chain brought back its Peach Shake this summer.
Chick-fil-A continues to win industry accolades including coming out on top of the 2011 Top 10 Excellent Large Fast Food Chains survey by Sandelman & Associates. The food service consumer research firm measured responses from almost 108,000 quick service customers about food quality, customer service and restaurant environment. In addition, Men’s Health “Eat This, Not That” 2012 edition again gave the chain high marks (A-) and named it one of the top two restaurants providing healthier menu options.
Chick-fil-A topped large chain category in Zagat’s 2011 National Fast Food Restaurant Survey that measured the opinions of 6,000 consumers covering 103 chains. With each chain being rated on its quality of food, service and facilities, the survey scored Chick-fil-A first in service and the chargrilled sandwich categories; and second in the areas of food, best drive-thru, most child friendly, and facilities. In 2011, Chick-fil-A also received Consumer Reports Top Chicken Chain for food and service.
