I think you all know by now that I’m definitely a “raving fan” of Chick-fil-A! My roots run deep with this fast food chain starting at the age of 17 when I started my first job at Auburn Alabama’s Village Mall location. Needless to say, I was thrilled when I received a last minute surprise invitation yesterday from the folks at our Jett Ferry Chick-fil-A Classic location to attend a “raving fan” celebration last night at Chick-fil-A Headquarters.
The Aha! Connection CEO of prizes (my 12 year old) was invited also! We had a wonderful date last night. Along with several other “raving fans”, community business owners, and the fabulous Steve Fortenberry and 8 of his Finance Academy students from Dunwoody High School, we took a chartered bus to CFA HQ in College Park.
We took a mini version of the Home Office Back Stage Tour. These are open to the public! We met Dan Cathy, were fed a yummy dinner, were entertained by a comedian, saw sneak previews of some hilarious new cow commercials, learned a lot about Chick-fil-A and last but not least, saw a preview of the new Junior Achievement’s Chick-fil-A Foundation Discovery Center. I’m thrilled that as a DeKalb County Public Middle Schooler, my youngest son will get to visit this phenomenal place soon! The entire evening was a fun treat and I’m thankful to have been included.
One tidbit that I’d like to share with those of you who dine at the new Jett Ferry location is that it is the FIRST of its kind! The “Chick-fil-A Classic” idea resulted from having such a small real estate footprint to work with. This created a need to pare down the menu to save on cooking and storage space. You may not know that this location does not serve cole slaw, chicken salad sandwiches, or breakfast bagels…. among a few other things. Chick-fil-A plans more of these “Classic” locations in other areas where space is tight. We however, are the guinea pigs! I’m told that management gets feedback often and just so you know….they LIKE the feedback. The head honcho (Operator) of our Jett Ferry CFA is Grant Wells. He is a very nice man….originally from New Zealand….moved here with his family from his last CFA store in Rome, GA and would welcome your feedback! Tell him I said hello!
Oh, and one last note about a crazy coincidence….my very first customers at the age of 17 were Auburn football superstars Bo Jackson and Lionel James. You won’t believe this but Lionel James, Jr. works at our Dunwoody Chick-fil-A. I need to go order something from him soon and tell him the story!
Stay tuned for more details about an upcoming date in September whereby the Jett Ferry location will have a party to thank the community for their business!
