Saturday, August 19, 2023

[REVEALED] Futuristic New Chick-fil-A Coming to Large New Mixed Use Development

Chick-fil-A made headlines when on July 27 it announced two new restaurant prototypes: one, a digital-focused walk-up design, and the other, an eye-catching elevated drive-thru unit.  The Atlanta-based company indicated at the time that the walk-up concept would open in New York City, while the more exciting, elevated drive-thru restaurant was planned for "the metro Atlanta area."  Both locations are to open in 2024. We are pleased to say we have now confirmed where that Atlanta area location will open. 

The new elevated Chick-fil-a will be built at the Bridges at Jodeco, a new mixed-use development currently under construction in Stockbridge, that is slated to open in phases starting later this fall.  The new 158-acre development has been in the works for several years and is located along Jodeco Road, just off Exit 222 of I-75 in Henry County.  

For reference, the project is about 23 miles and about a 30 minute drive from Chick-fil-A headquarters in southwest Atlanta.  About seven miles from the new Chick-fil-A, the company also operates a Truett's Chick-fil-A at 3649 Highway 138, a restaurant the company opened in July 2019 on the site of a former Dwarf House.  

The innovative two story Chick-fil-A building will feature a four-lane drive-thru with the capacity to serve 75 cars.  The design, a first for Chick-fil-A, drew immediate comparisons to a similar looking Taco Bell restaurant that was announced in 2021 and opened last summer.  

The "Taco Bell Defy," also offers a two story building with a four-lane drive-thru meant for increased efficiency.  (That said, we've never seen lines at Taco Bell's drive-thru anywhere near as long as the typical Chick-fil-A drive-thru.)   Industry observers expect Chick-fil-A to employ similar innovations and technology in their prototype.  

"Guests can choose to place their order with a Team Member or use the dedicated Mobile Thru lanes for orders placed ahead in the Chick-fil-A App."  

[As of March Chick-fil-A indicated that there are more than 50 million members of the company's App, Chick-fil-A One.]  

"By building the kitchen above the drive-thru lanes, meals are expedited to the Team Member who delivers the order directly to the customer in a space protected by the upper level, so hospitality won’t be sacrificed for speed of service."  Chick-fil-A said of the prototype.  

According to planning materials reviewed by ToNeTo Atlanta, the new Chick-fil-A will be built on an outparcel  near the development's primary and signalized Jodeco Road entrance.  A Starbucks is being built beside it and a Chipotle is coming behind it.  A new Sprouts Farmers Market is also coming to the project and will be located close to the Chick-fil-A, Starbucks and Chipotle.  The new Stockbridge Sprouts store will be the seventeenth in metro Atlanta for the Phoenix, Arizona-based grocer.  [The company earlier this year shuttered locations in Sandy Springs (Chastain Park) and Duluth.]  

ToNeTo Atlanta was first to report in June that Chick-fil-A is planning to bring another prototype restaurant to metro Atlanta with the planned opening of a mobile/takeout/delivery-oriented (non-drive-thru) unit planned for 3232 Peachtree Road in the heart of Buckhead.  ToNeTo Atlanta in 2022 was also first to report on a Brookhaven Chick-fil-A which opened this past April, also without a drive-thru.  

The "get" of the first ever of these ultra-modern Chick-fil-A restaurants is surely a shot in the arm for the Stockbridge area, perhaps even challenging the excitement of the development also landing a new Costco that is slated to open November 16.  

Because We Care Henry County - Atlanta South, a Facebook page dedicated to developments in and around Henry County, was first to note the new Chick-fil-A opening.  Elton Alexander, Stockbridge District 5 City Councilman, maintains the Facebook page and when contacted by ToNeTo Atlanta, said in part:

"The struggle has been real to attract retailers, quality restaurants, and amenities to Henry County but persistence and belief by our team that we deserve better is finally paying off. First to south metro Atlanta announcements are music to our residents ears eliminating the need to leave our community for entertainment, shopping, and dining. We thank Developers Jeff Grant of Southern Consulting, David Hughes of Hughes Development, and the Chen family for believing in our shared vision for a modern thriving gathering space concept and investing in Stockbridge. The sales numbers of the new arrivals will shock the region and open the door for so many more to arrive in Atlanta’s southside!" 

Sources close Chick-fil-A tell ToNeTo Atlanta that Brett Lewis, an existing owner/operator within the Chick-fil-A network, will be entrusted with operating the new Chick-fil-A in Stockbridge.  Lewis has since March 2019 operated the Chick-Fil-A at the Dalton Mall in Dalton.  

Are you excited for the opening of the new Chick-fil-A?  What is your favorite Chick-fil-A menu item?  What other tenants would you like to see open in the upcoming Bridges at Jodeco project?  

Please share your thoughts below.

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

Never underestimate the power of Chick-fil-A. The new Brookhaven eat in only location with no drive-through, I fully expected a low response given how drive-through oriented Chick-fil-A is and how drive-through oriented Atlanta is at large however, I went there today for some great lemonade, and found a restaurant that was bustling with customers. It is a very odd assemblage within the building in terms of where the counter is versus the dining room versus the playground versus the toilets versus the front entrance. Everything just seem to be booty backwards, but then again, it looks like they were making money hand over fist, I would definitely put trust in the new drive-through only Chick-fil-A in Henry County.

Anonymous said...

Wonder what happens if the food elevator breaks down? Rotten sandwiches in it till they get it fixed!

Anonymous said...

Finally getting some good stuff in Henry/the south side. We’ve been neglected for so long.

Anonymous said...

The cows take over and deliver to the cars.

Anonymous said...

Fine dining for Brookhaven.

Anonymous said...

I hope they figure out a way to the four lanes of service and get out without bottle necks. They are going to need a large footprint to enter and exit. You get your food in two minutes and wait 30 minutes to get out of the parking lot. Unfortunately everyone tries to use the same area to build stores and restaurants. Personally I prefer to drive a few miles to avoid traffic.

Anonymous said...

How many times have I pulled into CFA to find cars wrapped around the building for the drive-through, walked in and gotten my order, and come back out and the cars haven't budged an inch. It's pathetic that people are so lazy they won't get out of their car.

Anonymous said...

Stockbridge is now part of Brookhaven

Anonymous said...

Would rather have all the Dwarf Houses back..why does the world have to be all drive-thru..OMG..I personally do not want my food on an elevator..Good Grief😳

Anonymous said...

Sounds good. But what about building up downtown Stockbridge and making it an actual downtown like our neighboring cities like McDonough Square, Covington Square ect…

Anonymous said...

Yes, Chick fil a should do that instead

Anonymous said...

Right! Get your wheelchair out and use it, that’s what its for. Don’t be lazy!

Anonymous said...

Shannon Mall had Chick fil a, and they tore it down.

Anonymous said...

If it gets stuck then it will take forever and someone will still have to walk it down the steps to you.

Anonymous said...

Councilman Alexander himself was the reason for a huge number of the delays. His premature comments reportedly almost caused multiple of the businesses to back out entirely, and at a minimum delayed construction of the project for months to years.

Add to his track record of costing his city millions in legal fees after he was accused of coercion and harassment by a local business over refusal to provide him with free food, which has been well documented in local news sources.

https://www.henryherald.com/news/city-of-stockbridge-settles-federal-lawsuit-for-1-7-million/article_495d6ee0-9d25-11eb-b87b-bf193c0744b6.html

Anonymous said...

The traffic is already bad in the area it’s going to be worse when the get all of the development done

Anonymous said...

Exactly, it would have been better to keep it a two lane road with weeds and trees along it. People could drive to Atlanta to eat and shop.

Anonymous said...

CLAIM JUMPERS RESTAURANT

Anonymous said...

CLAIM JUMPERS RESTAURANT

Anonymous said...

Henry County doesn't need another fast food restaurant. Where's Pappadeaux, Cheesecake Factory, California Dreaming, Carrabas, etc.

Anonymous said...

Agree

Anonymous said...

What is upstairs?

Anonymous said...

The kitchen. It’s supposed to be much larger than the traditional restaurants.

Anonymous said...

Shannon mall would have been torn down years earlier if Chickfila hadn’t been there.

Anonymous said...

Yes, bring em!

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