A new Chick-fil-A opening in south Naperville Thursday will be the chain’s first Illinois location to have only drive-thru and walk-up options.
Designed for “speed and efficiency,” the drive-thru-only setup at 3320 S. Route 59 allows customers to order from their car. While there is no indoor dining, there is a the walk-up window for take-out orders, complemented by an outdoor seating area, and a Mobile Thru lane for purchases made through the restaurant’s app.
“I am honored to open a second location where people of all ages throughout the community can continue to discover opportunities for growth, belonging and meaningful connection, something I believe our guests can feel in every interaction,” Mark Cabrera, owner of the new Naperville location and a Chick-fil-A at the Fox Valley Center, also on Route 59, in Aurora, said in the news release.
It’s the second Chick-fil-A to open in Naperville. The other is at 1159 E Ogden Ave.
The new Chick-fil-A will participate in the Chick-fil-A Shared Table program, according to the release. Through the program, local owner-operators to donate surplus food to charitable organizations in their community, according to franchise’s website.
To celebrate the opening, Chick-fil-A will also donate $25,000 to Feeding America, which will distribute the money to partners to help fight hunger in the greater Chicago area.
Customers who make a purchase on opening day while dressed in cow-attire or wearing a cow-spotted accessory will receive one free entree or kid’s meal via the drive-thru. The offer is limited to one per person per day while supplies last, the release said.
Cows have been a significant part of Chick-fil-A’s brand for decades, making their debut in 1995 while painting “Eat More Chikin” on a billboard in Georgia, according to Chick-fil-A’s website. It’s an advertisement they continue to this day.
Hours for the new restaurant are 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday. All restaurants in the chain are closed on Sunday.
The arrival of the new Chick-fil-A is the latest drive-thru/walk-up-only store to open in Naperville. Two drive-thru coffee chains, 7 Brew and Scooter’s Coffee, operate under the same model. Dutch Bros Coffee, another drive-thru coffee chain, is seeking city approval to open in Naperville.
The restaurant is also the second new eatery to open in Naperville this week. White Sheep in downtown Naperville opened Monday at Washington Street and Chicago Avenue. Its hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily and in addition to serving lunch and breakfast, they also have a bakery case and outdoor patio area.
cstein@chicagotribune.com
