Chicago-area Chick-fil-A opening Sept. 16

By Tribune staff report
Posted Sep. 3, 2010 at 5:59 a.m.

Chick-fil-A has planned grand opening activities Sept. 16 for its new restaurant opening in Aurora, its first store in the Chicago-area.

Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A is moving ahead on three other restaurants in the suburbs. Next year, Chick-fil-A is planning to open its first restaurant in the city of Chicago, followed by one or two more by the end of 2011. Ultimately, the company hopes to have 25 restaurants here in five years.

For the grand opening, Chick-fil-A stores reward the “First 100,” giving the first 100 customers a coupon book with 52 free combo meals of a chicken sandwich, waffle fries and a drink. Customers, who must be 18 or older and have identification, can begin waiting in line at 6 a.m. Sept. 15.

In all, the chain will open 78 restaurants this year, with almost 1,500 locations in 38 states. Sales surpassed $3.2 billion last year.

Chicagoans unfamiliar with the chain can expect the three locations to be closed on Sundays.

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18 comments:

  1. Don Sep. 3, 2010 at 8:08 a.m.

    Great place for fast food and a great family oriented company. Glad to see that they are expanding.

  2. Al Sep. 3, 2010 at 8:59 a.m.

    “Chicagoans unfamiliar with the chain can expect the three locations to be closed on Sundays. ”

    Therefore, Chicagoans familiar with the chain can expect the three locations to be open on Sundays. ????

    What about the expectations of non-Chicagoans?

  3. Chris Sep. 3, 2010 at 9:40 a.m.

    This is not “Chicago Area”. In a moderate amount of traffic, it would take you over an hour to get out to Aurora from the City. Is Des Moines “Chicago Area”?

  4. MistyBeagle Sep. 3, 2010 at 11:02 a.m.

    Care to share the address? Or should we just drive around Aurora until we find it?

  5. Mimi426 Sep. 3, 2010 at 11:23 a.m.

    seriously. why are all these places way out in the western suburbs? why can new places open up in the northern suburbs first? I’m not going all the way to Aurora for a chicken sandwich. I’ll wait a few years until they make their way up north.

  6. RadioFlyer Sep. 3, 2010 at 12:04 pm

    This was a poorly-written article. Who is editing here, Mr. Teeny? This restaurant is fantastic. Best chicken out there and plenty of healthy options. A unique operating system and respect for workers.

  7. Pete Sep. 3, 2010 at 1:03 pm

    Aurora is not Chicago, and barely even qualifies as a suburb.

  8. Chick Fan Sep. 3, 2010 at 5:05 pm

    It’s on Rt. 59 next to the Fox Valley Mall.

  9. Fred Sep. 3, 2010 at 5:38 pm

    Aurora is the second biggest city in the state, parts of it are in DuPage county. It’s not that far west unless you are afarid to leave your own block.

  10. Jake Ryan Sep. 3, 2010 at 6:10 pm

    Outstanding and healthy food. Best chicken you can buy. Don’t just believe me, Chick-Fil-A is written up all the time as such in Men’s Health Magazine. Chicagoans will not be sorry for eating this food.

  11. Real Suburban Sep. 3, 2010 at 6:13 pm

    If you can’t see the Sears Tower, it isn’t a real suburb.

  12. Vinny Sep. 3, 2010 at 9:45 pm

    It’s soooooo sad to see what passes for news in this rag!

  13. Burton Lane Sep. 4, 2010 at 7:11 a.m.

    I would never eat there. The owners are supporters of a wide variety of Nazi type political kooks. They are anti-gay. There’s nothing “friendly” about them. I’ll pass.

  14. Gil Sep. 4, 2010 at 10:12 a.m.

    Wow, I would have thought they’d be opening the first store in Naperville! I guess Aurora is just as bad. Seriously, how about opening chains in North and Northwest suburbs for a change, as opposed to Yuppie-land? And why did it take so long for a big chain (Chick-Fil-A, Sonic, et. al.) to open stores in the THIRD LARGEST METRO AREA in the US???

  15. alex Sep. 4, 2010 at 10:32 a.m.

    the Trib is obsessed with this middle-of-the-road restaurant. One that is very hostile towards gays, taking the insane position that homosexuality is a threat to society. You’d think that a company with such strong religious beliefs would let their principals permeate with an ethical treatment of their animals. But that doesn’t seem to be the case.

  16. mike Sep. 7, 2010 at 12:39 pm

    The food is not good! I just moved down here to Georgia in snellville from Chicago and believe me don’t even bother, I prefer zaxby’s over them they taste so much better which is another chicken fast food eatery down here in Georgia.

  17. Case Sep. 8, 2010 at 9:11 a.m.

    The have a great business model where young urban employs are encouraged to be respectful and professional. I support them. Zaxby’s grease is very nasty, I lived in Georgia for three years and Chick-Fil-A is much better. I mean Zaxby’s really? That place sucks.

  18. Leslie Sep. 14, 2010 at 10:50 a.m.

    I CAN’T WAIT!!! I used to live in Orlando, Florida & Chick-fil-A’s were everywhere! It’s so delicious, with great food options. Their Polinesian sauce is to die for! I’m so happy they are opening one up close! Even though it’s an hour away, I will try my best to get there at least once a month! They should really open one up in Joliet, Illinois. I think the business would thrive in that location. Hope to see you soon Chick-fil-A!!