Chick-Fil-A Cherry Hill Celebrating Grand Opening With Road Trip

CHERRY HILL, NJ — Cherry Hill’s newest Chick-fil-A restaurant will open in Cherry Hill on May 31, and local franchise owner Rich Reiner will celebrate with a special May 30 grand opening Road Trip. As part of the Road Trip, Reiner said he will take up to 100 participants on an interactive field trip around the area in order to earn a year supply of Chick-fil-A meals.

The new restaurant, located at 1749 Marlton Pike East, is expected to bring up to 100 new jobs to the Cherry Hill area, according to a press release from the restaurant chain.

Reiner is continuing to interview for full- and part-time positions to reach his hiring goal with benefits including scholarships, flexible schedules, and Sundays off to spend time with family and friends. Interested applicants may apply online at www.cfamarlkress.com.

Reiner has always considered the area to be his home. Reiner was born in Burlington and lived in Cherry Hill for two years before moving away. He is back to operate the Marlkress location.

At age 11, he was first introduced to Chick-fil-A through his grandfather, long-time Burlington Center Mall Chick-fil-A Operator Morris Loveland. When he was just 13 years old, Reiner began working in his grandfather’s restaurant, cultivating his sampler, dining room host, and lemon juicer skills, as well as his love for Chick-fil-A. After 13 years, he decided to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps.

In 2013, he was selected to operate the Greenbrier Mall location in Chesapeake, Va. Chick-fil-A said it receives nearly 40,000 applications a year, and about 100 of them become franchise operators. He returns with his wife and fellow New Jersey native Lauren, and their two children, Judah and Bennet.

He said he’s driven by his belief that people are what matter most. Before being selected as an operator, he worked as a mentor for young men in foster care and youth on probation in New Jersey to help them find better paths.

“Other people’s dreams are extremely important to me,” Reiner said. “I hope my story of resilience and determination can inspire my team to pursue what they are passionate about as we create remarkable experiences for our guests and our community.”

Chick-fil-A’s First 100 camp outs have given away more than $34 million in free food through 2017 and continue to be the chain’s signature event to celebrate the opening of a new location, according to the restaurant.

However, this Chick-fil-A grand opening celebration will not involve any overnight activities. Instead, up to 100 eligible participants, 18 years and older, can start gathering shortly before 6 a.m. on Wednesday, May 30, to register and immediately participate in the grand opening Road Trip event.

The community event is open to guests residing in specific zip codes surrounding the restaurant. A list of eligible zip codes and event rules can be found at https://thechickenwire.chick-fil-a.com/News/Future-Openings.

The First 100 Road Trip will take participants around the Cherry Hill area on a chartered bus while spending approximately six hours being engaged in activities that will provide opportunities to get up and move as well as inspire civic pride and gratitude. The group will return to the new Marlkress restaurant around
4 p.m. to continue the celebration. Participants will be awarded a digital offer card loaded with a one-year supply of free Chick-fil-A meals (52 meals with each consisting of a Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich, medium Waffle Potato Fries, and a medium drink).

Registration will be held at the restaurant that morning from 6 a.m. until 9 a.m., May 30, or until 100 eligible participants are reached, whichever comes first. If more than 100 people are onsite when the line opens at 6 a.m. on May 30, a drawing will be held to randomly select 100 guests who will participate in the event which will last until approximately 6:30 p.m.

• Heritage restaurant design that showcases handmade, authentic materials for a vintage-inspired interior, including a large gathering table made from reclaimed wood, subway tiles, and light fixtures made from recycled Coca-Cola bottles and peach baskets.
• Two-story interactive indoor play area for children and free Wi-Fi.
• Counter for Chick-fil-A One mobile pickup as well as two designated pickup parking spaces along with dual drive-thru ordering lanes and screens to enable customers to move quickly into a single lane for payment and pickup.
• Dining room with seating for 125 with additional outdoor patio seating for 20.
• Full-service menu with a variety of healthy options and breakfast until 10:30 a.m., and will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Like all Chick-fil-A locations, it will be closed on Sunday to provide a day of rest and time with family and friends for team members.

Photo: StockMonkeys.com