CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Chick-fil-A on Madison Street has been undergoing construction inside and outside the nearly 20-year-old building, and it’s going slower than expected.
On Sept. 15, Chick-fil-A announced they would close the location at 1626 Madison St. for a “much-needed, major remodel.” The plan was to have operations back up and running by Dec. 15, but supply chain issues may push that back, according to owner David Blevins.
What’s new?
The extensive remodel features a complete overhaul of the building, according to Blevins, who said it now looks completely different inside.
“It’s the most extensive remodel that Chick-fil-A does short of tearing down the building,” he said, noting that tearing down the building would have been much more costly.
In addition to the upgraded floors, ventilation, equipment and other items, the remodel will improve the drive-thru, helping customers get through the line much more quickly.
“We’re going to have a 360-degree, double-lane drive-thru with double order points and double pickup points that will be open most of the day.”
He said they are most likely going to designate one of the lanes for mobile orders, a new system that Chick-fil-A is venturing into.
“This is something newer that Chick-fil-A is testing, and it’s getting pretty popular. It’s called ‘mobile-thru.’ It’s basically an express lane for mobile orders.”
Blevins told Clarksville Now that the process is extremely efficient and will aid with the increasing load of mobile orders.
Timeline
The main cause for the delay was a backlog of orders for certain electrical components. Construction crews are waiting on specific electrical panels that are now required with new construction.
“They’ve been ordered months and months in advance, but it’s actually holding up quite a few nationwide Chick-fil-A new constructions, remodels and new businesses,” Blevins said.
With the holidays in full swing, the opening date may be pushed back to mid-January, but it is possible to have the doors open by the end of the year, he said.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the remodel would have taken four weeks or less. But there are now delays in licensing, required approvals and real estate matters.
Employees
While the restaurant has been closed, employees have been paid and have been guaranteed their positions upon their return to work. Some employees have been sent over to help at another location, which has been swarmed with orders while Madison Street has been closed.
“As of right now, I have seven or eight employees that are going to start going to Wilma Rudolph (Chick-fil-A) and working through the holidays. They are extremely busy taking a lot of our (Madison Street) business. They’re working their tails off, and they need help, so we’re sending people over there to work.”
Blevins said he is looking to hire around 50 more employees within the next couple of weeks.
“People don’t realize the average Chick-fil-A has over 100 employees, so my goal is to get to 110 or 120 employees,” he said, noting that new employees will be trained at the Hopkinsville Chick-fil-A in addition to the one at 3096 Wilma Rudolph Blvd.