The “home of the original chicken sandwich” is coming to Hawaii. Chick-fil-A announced its opening its first restaurant in the Aloha State on September 1.
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“We admire Hawaii’s caring culture, sense of community, and the warm spirit of its people,” the company said on its website. “We are honored to join the Aloha State and can’t wait to serve new and existing fans delicious food with remarkable hospitality.”
First Chick-Fil-A In Hawaii
Chick-fil-A will open the restaurant in Kahului on the island of Maui. The location is 5,013 square feet with a 900-square-foot patio. It will seat 114 guests inside with an additional 46 patio seats.
The restaurant will feature subtle design touches to honor the local culture and community including Hawaiian language, native landscaping, and local design motifs.
Sean Whaley will run the restaurant with 160 full- and part-time employees. Whaley has planted roots on Maui with his wife and three children.
“I am so grateful for the opportunity to open the first Chick-fil-A restaurant in Hawaii and to share our signature hospitality and great-tasting food with guests in Kahului,” said Whaley. “Working in the restaurant industry and playing competitive sports like rugby have given me the experience and tools to create a dedicated, service-minded team. By cultivating each individual’s skills and talents, we will build a strong ohana of Team Members that will thrive both inside and outside of the restaurant.”
Chick-fil-A plans to open several restaurants across Hawaii in the next few years. Two others are scheduled for late 2022 in Honolulu and a fourth in Kapolei in 2023.
Over the next 2 years, the company’s goal is to open three additional restaurants throughout the state.
Supporting Communities
Each new restaurant will create about 80 to 120 jobs in the local communities.
In celebration of each new restaurant opening, Chick-fil-A will donate $25,000 to Feeding America. It will then distribute funds to local partners around the islands.
Through its Shared Table program, Chick-fil-A restaurants will donate surplus food to local shelters, soup kitchens, and charities. Since 2012, more than 15 million meals have been created for communities in which the company serves.
Chick-fil-A selected The Maui Farm as the recipient of a $300,000 True Inspiration Awards grant. The Maui Farm uses hands-on, ‘āina-based programs to help strengthen and nurture families to prevent homelessness.
About Chick-Fil-A
Chick-fil-A was founded in 1967 by S. Truett Cathy. It’s an Atlanta-based, family-owned, and privately-held restaurant. It has more than 2,600 restaurants in 47 states, Washington, D.C., and Canada.
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