News

Chick-fil-A In-Line model debuts in Downtown Chicago

June 14, 2011

Chick-fil-A will debut its In-Line restaurant model June 16 when it opens its first Downtown Chicago restaurant on Loyola University's Water Tower campus.

The new In-Line Chick-fil-A restaurant is well-suited for business and residential customers in a downtown setting. The concept allows customization of the dining experience based on a specific location, where traffic is high but limited space does not allow for a traditional stand-alone concept.

"We're excited about this new design which enables us to better meet our customers' needs in areas where property is limited," said Dan T. Cathy, president and COO of Chick-fil-A, Inc. "Chicago is an ideal market to introduce this concept nationally based on area demographics and our strong desire to continue to expand in the region."

Designed to serve urban consumers on the go, the Chicago restaurant features an indoor queue line and hostess station to facilitate service at the registers, resulting in quicker service for consumers, particularly during peak meal times.

The restaurant's upscale interior includes a bench made from timbers used for the original bleacher seating at Soldier Field, Chicago-themed artwork incorporating Chick-fil-A's signature Cow mascot and other Chicago-centric designs.

The interior includes several seating options such as stools and tables, banquets with side tables and traditional tables and chairs. Handcrafted design elements are featured, along with the use of stone, wood and metal.

The restaurant also features the chain's expanded kitchen design, allowing team members to quickly prepare food during peak meal times and for large catering orders.

Grand opening celebration

Chick-fil-A will celebrate the landmark opening by awarding a free year's supply of Chick-fil-A to the first 100 adults in line. The line officially opens at 6 p.m. today, with free meal cards being awarded Thursday between 6 and 6:15 a.m.

The 12-hour grand opening celebration near the restaurant will include music, contests, games, entertainment and Chick-fil-A food. Since these grand opening events began in 2003, Chick-fil-A has given away more than $13 million in free food.

Chicago native Lauren Silich is the franchised operator of the Chick-fil-A restaurant in downtown Chicago.

"Truett Cathy started Chick-fil-A more than 42 years ago with the aim of providing the best in freshly prepared food and customer service," said Silich. "The goal remains the same for my team as we bring Chick-fil-A to my hometown with a new restaurant uniquely designed to serve our signature products to customers in the heart of the city."

The opening on Loyola's Water Tower campus comes nine months after Chick-fil-A opened its first Chicagoland restaurant in Aurora. The new restaurant opened to record-breaking sales, and the chain has since opened stand-alone restaurants in Wheaton and Orland Park with another slated for Schaumburg this fall. Chick-fil-A plans to open as many as 14 Chicago locations in the next three to five years.

Check out the new In-Line model here.