For brand new proprietor and operator of Hawaiʻi’s first Chick-fil-A, the freshly constructed restaurant opening as we speak in Kahului represents extra than simply hen sandwiches and waffle fries.
“That’s a part of my imaginative and prescient: It was to return and to pour again into the group,” mentioned Sean Whaley, unbiased franchised proprietor/operator and Maui resident. “The factor I hope (individuals) depart with is the understanding that it’s far more than only a hen sandwich and waffle fries. Our purpose is to be the world’s most caring firm, and Chick-fil-A offers me each means to try this.”
Chick-fil-A at 14 Ho‘okele St. in Puʻunene Purchasing Heart is the primary in a five-year Hawai’i enlargement for the model.
Chick-fil-A at Ala Moana Heart is slated to open later this 12 months, Makiki’s restaurant is projected to open in late 2022 or early 2023 and Chick-fil-A off Kapolei Parkway and Kualaka’i is about to open in 2023, an organization spokesperson instructed Maui Now.
Maui’s restaurant held a standard Hawaiian blessing, maile lei untying ceremony, and hula on Wednesday for group leaders, Chick-fil-A enterprise companions, elected officers and neighboring companies.
Kahului’s Chick-fil-A opened to the general public as we speak at 6 a.m., and there will likely be “enjoyable surprises for friends,” officers mentioned.
Widespread menu gadgets are Chick-fil-A’s hen sandwich, spicy hen sandwich, lemonade, milkshakes and waffle fries. More healthy choices embrace the market salad, grilled nuggets, grilled hen sandwich, fruit bowls and different choices.
Chick-fil-A additionally has an array of dipping sauces. For months main as much as the opening, residents bought Chick-fil-A signature sauce at close by Goal and added it to different fast-food hen sandwiches.
Throughout a tour Tuesday, Whaley mentioned about 160 full and part-time staff have been employed to employees Kahului’s restaurant.
He mentioned he interviewed the vast majority of the workers, and when requested what they remembered about their Chick-fil-A expertise, many replied that the “individuals had been so good.”
“That was fairly cool,” he mentioned, laughing. “I needed to ask them concerning the meals.”
Whaley mentioned that Hawaiian tradition and Southern hospitality complement each other.
“What I’ve discovered concerning the individuals I employed is that they’ve huge hearts and so they care about individuals,” he mentioned.
The brand new restaurant is 5,013 sq. ft with seating for 114 individuals, and a 900-square-foot patio seats 46 individuals outdoors.
Restaurant tables are dressed with native flower preparations, and Chick-fil-A Kahului design options the Hawaiian language, native landscaping and native motifs.
Chick-fil-A Kahului is open for dine-in, drive-thru and carry-out service from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday by way of Saturday.
Third-party supply will likely be accessible within the close to future.
To commemorate the Kahului opening, Chick-fil-A Inc. donated $25,000 to Maui Meals Financial institution on behalf of the brand new restaurant. Additionally, Chick-fil-A chosen The Maui Farm because the recipient of a $300,000 grant.
Additionally, in lieu of Chick-fil-A’s conventional First 100 Campout occasion, 100 “native heroes making an influence in the neighborhood” will obtain free Chick-fil-A meals for a 12 months.
Whaley’s restaurant is taking part within the “Chick-fil-A Shared Desk” program, a plan that redirects surplus meals from the restaurant to native soup kitchens, shelters, meals banks and nonprofits. When there may be surplus meals, Chick-fil-A Kahului will donate it to a local people companion.
To seek out out extra about Chick-fil-A’s Hawai’i eating places, go to the Hawai’i web site.
