Chick-fil-A’s first restaurant closing after 56 years

a job

by Shannon Thaler

May 19, 2023 | 11:11 a.m

Chick-fil-A’s first-ever location in an Atlanta shopping mall has closed shop after 56 years.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that the chicken restaurant in the Greenbrier Mall food court was beloved as a historic Chick-fil-A location, and shocked fans by announcing its closure via paper signs printed around the mall.

“Our last day of operations here at Chick-fil-A Greenbriar Mall will be Saturday,” the sign read. And in true Chick-fil-A fashion, she concluded with, “It was a pleasure serving you!”

It is unclear why the popular site was shut down. Cortlandt, a regular at this Chick-fil-A location who preferred not to give his last name, told the Atlanta Journal, “I’m trying to understand why they’re closing. They never slow down. I don’t get it.”

Chick-fil-A did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment on the reason for the closure, or whether other outposts will also close.

Chick-fil-A founder and Georgia-born Trott Cathy opened the Greenbriar Mall location in 1967 which was, at the time, a “groundbreaking” concept, the fast-food chain said in a blog post on the site.

When it opens, customers can order some of the classics, including the Original Chick-fil-A sandwich for just $0.59, and salads with boneless chicken breast, coleslaw, lemon pie, and lemonade.

The items on the small menu were served from a space “about the size of a two-car garage” by team members wearing “candy-striped aprons, hats and ties,” the post reads.

The chain has since expanded to more than 2,700 locations across the US, offering a menu of more than 50 items, though the Original Chicken Sandwich remains the favorite.

Fast food chain Burger King is also closing its locations by the hundreds.

Earlier this month, the Whopper House announced that it would close up to 400 outposts nationwide by the end of 2023.

Despite restaurants adding to its portfolio and increasing comparable sales internationally, three Burger King franchises have gone bankrupt in the US — in Illinois, Michigan and Utah — so far this year.

In the first quarter, Burger King closed a net 124 US locations, or 1.7%, to end the quarter with just under 7,000 US restaurants served, according to the earnings announcement from parent Restaurant Brands International.

This year, the brand is seeking additional franchises with stronger financing but still expects to close between 300 and 400 additional restaurants, CEO Joshua Copza said during an investor call.

It usually shuts down a few hundred people a year, he said.

Meanwhile, competitors like Shake Shack are proving to be strong competitors with the announcement of new vegan desserts, which are set to bring artificial intelligence to the food industry.

The treats, which feature AI-produced dairy-free milk, were available at all 260 Shake Shack stores in the US as of May 5.