Chick-fil-A opens on Highland Colony
RIDGELAND — Chick-fil-A opened on the Highland Colony Parkway here Wednesday with the predictable line wrapped around the building.
In place of the traditional grand opening celebration where the first 100 patrons receive free Chick-fil-A for a year, they will be surprising 100 local heroes making an impact in the Ridgeland community.
Franchise owner Chris Rosson opened the first Chick-fil-A here nearly 40 years ago in Northpark mall.
Rosson is responsible for all day-to-day activities of the business, including employing approximately 100 full- and part-time team members, cultivating relationships with local organizations and neighboring businesses, and serving guests.
He moved to Madison County in 1984 to open Chick-fil-A Northpark mall, one of the eight Chick-fil-A restaurants in the Jackson area today.
Since then, Rosson has opened two additional Chick-fil-A restaurants, Chick-fil-A County Line Road and Chick-fil-A Madison.
“After nearly 40 years of serving guests as a Chick-fil-A operator, I’ve learned that the most rewarding part of my work is the people,” Rosson said.
“I’m excited to welcome new team members, give back to my community and create a positive dining experience for all who visit Chick-fil-A Madison and Chick-fil-A Ridgeland.”
Additionally, in celebration of the new restaurant opening, Chick-fil-A will donate $25,000 to Feeding America. The funds will be distributed to partners within the greater Jackson area to aid in the fight against hunger.
The new Chick-fil-A is located at 685 Highland Colony Parkway and will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday and 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Ridgeland Alderman-at-Large D.I. Smith said that he rode his bicycle during his 40 mile morning ride by the recently finished Chick-fil-a and saw employees preparing the drive through for cars before their 6 a.m. opening on Wednesday morning.
He said he was "excited" to see the restaurant open for business and has had stories of people pulling into the drive through behind construction vehicles in the past few weeks thinking they had opened.
Smith said he thinks the restaurant, like other Chick-fil-a's in the area, will be "well received" and "very popular" as word gets out that they are open for business.