1st-Ever Chick-fil-A Closes In Atlanta

ATLANTA, GA — Chick-fil-A opened its first establishment nearly 56 years ago, and now it is closing, according to media reports.

The Facebook status for Chick-fil-A's Greenbriar Mall location indicated the local eatery is permanently closed. It is unknown why the historic fast-food restaurant is closing, but CNN Business reported the mall has not been able to attract shoppers or maintain tenants.

According to Greenbriar parent company Herndon Properties, the mall is an Atlanta landmark. Herndon also noted Greenbriar is the first mall nationwide to be home to a Chick-fil-A.

Founder Truett Cathy opened the inaugural Chick-fil-A on Nov. 24, 1967. According to the chain, the concept was "as original as his chicken sandwich."

Cathy's idea was groundbreaking, the company said in a news release, and Greenbriar was the perfect location due to it being one of the southeast's first indoor malls.

"Not only was that small restaurant a pioneer in the modern-day food court, it was just the beginning of a company that has since grown to serve customers in 47 states and Washington, D.C.," the company said.

While at Greenbriar, the original chicken-based restaurant moved at least once in the mall, the company said.

Doris Williams was Chick-fil-A's first restaurant operator in 1967, and now, franchisees operate more than 2,300 Chick-fil-A eateries nationally.