Chick-fil-A is painting the town red -- and white. Restaurant chain opening 40 area stores, starting with groundbreaking in suburbs this summer
Folks from the Atlanta-based chain that invented the chicken sandwich are marching through metro Chicago. Forty strong. To the delight of mobs of diehard fans who have beaten a constant drum via Facebook and YouTube urging the company to set up shop in Chicago.
"We're going to be coming to their rescue," said Dan T. Cathy, president and chief operating officer. "People have been imploring us to please come to Chicago."
This week, he and his crew are breaking ground on the area's first long-awaited shops -- between speeches to the Rotary Club, University of Chicago business school alumni, presentations to black, Asian, and Hispanic MBA associations, private receptions and gladhanding about 600 local Chick-fil-A fans at an invitation-only party.
The three suburban stores -- one in Aurora, an Orland Park location and a Wheaton outlet -- are expected to open in late summer and October.
The chain plans to open its first Chicago store in 2011.
"We have several opportunities we're working on in the core of the city," said John E. Featherston Jr., senior director of the company's real estate operations.
Among places the company is scoping: Millennium Park, the Gold Coast, River North, Lincoln Park and Streeterville.
The area could see 20 to 25 stores over the next five years.
The moves follow the company's focus on growth in southern California.
Many Chicago area residents became familiar with the chain while living in other states. It has been primarily a Southern brand before recent growth that's placed it in 38 states.
Those who haven't set foot in one of the restaurants have felt its influence. McDonald's southern-style chicken sandwiches are similar to Chick-fil-A's signature sandwiches.
The company is expanding its menu. In June it'll launch a spicy chicken sandwich, its first new sandwich in 21 years.
Food is a driver, but the chain also has won admiration for religious tie-ins.
The company includes religious-themed toys in its kids meals, promotes religious programs and does no business on Sunday.
Store operators monitor grades of student employees and, if needed, adjust work schedules to allow for more study time.
"You'd be proud to have a son or daughter with our brand, because of the wholesome nature of the atmosphere that's there," said Cathy, whose father is company founder and CEO S. Truett Cathy. "We're family-owned, we're family-led and we're very focused on families both behind the counter and in front of the counter, as well."
It provides its young employees etiquette training.
"We're actually teaching these young people how to be ladies and gentlemen in the presence of our customers. We have to change their language system. We replace 'yeah' and 'OK' and 'no problem' and rebuild their vocabulary with 'my pleasure,' 'may I refresh your beverage,' 'I'll be assisting you to your table today.' "
