Ann Arbor welcomes its first standalone Chick-fil-A this week, with doors set to open at 6:30 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 12. The new restaurant, located at 3310 Washtenaw Ave., is expected to bring about 80 jobs to Washtenaw County. It promises a variety of service options for guests, including dine-in, carry-out, third-party delivery, mobile pickup, and curbside service, as noted by a news release from Chick-fil-A.
In a celebratory gesture, the establishment is offering a free entrée to customers who show up dressed in cow print on opening day. This ties back to the company’s "Eat Mor Chikin" campaign, which has become synonymous with the brand. Despite the enthusiasm, some might question whether such a marketing tactic will be able to drive significantly higher foot traffic. The restaurant hours have been specified; it will operate Monday through Thursday from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, as mentioned in the ClickOnDetroit article.
The Ann Arbor location doesn’t only signify the expansion of Chick-fil-A’s brand, but also a homecoming for the local owner-operator, Joyce Mueller. "I fell in love with Ann Arbor when I moved here for graduate school and never left – I even raised my children here!" Mueller said, per MLive. She aims to create a restaurant that not only serves food but also cares for and contributes back to the community.
It's not just about free chicken; the opening is also tied to a philanthropic effort. Mueller is marking the event by using a $25,000 donation from Chick-fil-A, Inc. to support local hunger relief efforts in partnership with Feeding America and Food Gatherers, a Washtenaw County-based food rescue and bank, according to Chick-fil-A. This approach aims to ensure that the restaurant’s impact in Ann Arbor extends beyond merely satiating appetites to also address community needs.
