Chick-fil-A Opening In Clarksville This Week

CLARKSVILLE, MD – A Maryland man who met his wife while working at Chick-fil-A as a teenager is opening his own restaurant this week in Howard County. Don't be surprised to see tents set up in Clarksville, since the newest Chick-fil-A will be holding an overnight block party as part of the festivities.

The restaurant will officially open at 6 a.m. on Thursday, May 17.

It is located at 6395 Ten Oaks Road in Clarksville.

A "pop-up party" will unfold outside in the parking lot at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, May 16.

Residents from more than 150 zip codes are welcome to participate in the block party, where guests will try to be among the first 100 adults through the door. The first 100 people in line will win free Chick-fil-A meals for a year (which is a pre-loaded digital offer card including 52 meals consisting of a chicken sandwich, medium waffle fries and medium beverage). See the zip codes of those who may participate in the "First 100" party. A valid ID or other document is required to verify residency.

People trying to be among the first 100 may arrive between 5:30 and 6 a.m. on Wednesday, May 16, and should know that arriving earlier does not increase changes of selection; if more than 100 people are present at 6 a.m., there will be a random drawing to determine the first 100.

Those chosen will be required to camp out until the grand opening in order to secure their spot. Then the first 100 people will enter the Chick-fil-A for the grand opening at 5:45 a.m. on May 17.

Community members are invited to bring new or gently used children's books Monday to Wednesday at the restaurant, where a nearly 3-foot Book House built from reclaimed wood will be on-site for donations.

As a way of saying thank you to the community for welcoming the new business, Jones will give the books to the Howard County Public Library.

“We are so blessed to come full circle and return to Maryland where our Chick-fil-A journey began,” said Jones, who was 15 years old when he first started working for the company at a restaurant in St. Mary's County. After 10 years at that location and earning a degree from the University of Maryland University College with scholarship money from Chick-fil-A, he went to the West Coast to train in the interim manager program.

Jones was selected in 2012 to own a franchise in Costa Mesa, California. Company officials say they receive 40,000 applications a year for about 100 opportunities to own franchises. He won the highest award given to a franchise owner for his work in California, and he says that his wife and two children are excited to be opening a restaurant in Clarksville with him.

Said Jones: “We’re looking forward to putting down roots on the East Coast and welcoming the Clarksville community to its very own Chick-fil-A.”

The 4,700-square-foot Clarksville Chick-fil-A restaurant features a vintage-inspired interior with a large table made from reclaimed wood, subway tiles and light fixtures created out of recycled Coca-Cola bottles and peach baskets.

The dining room will seat 135 people, while there will be a dozen patio seats outside as well. There will be a free WiFi and a two-story interactive indoor play area for children.

The drive-through will have two lanes that move into a single lane for pick-up, and a parking space will be available for those who order online using the Chick-fil-A One app so they can get curbside delivery.

The restaurant will be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Saturday. All Chick-fil-A locations are closed on Sundays. Breakfast is served until 10:30 a.m.

The new Clarksville Chick-fil-A restaurant officially opens at 6 a.m. on Thursday, May 17, at 6395 Ten Oaks Road in Clarksville.

Interested in a job there? Apply online to work at the Clarksville Chick-fil-A, which comes with flexible schedules, Sundays off and scholarships among the benefits. The company operates more than 2,300 restaurants across the country.

Image courtesy of Chick-fil-A.