Chick-fil-A craze started at this food court spot — and now it’s closing, reports say
Chick-fil-A’s first ever restaurant, a historic stall inside an Atlanta mall food court, will close its doors, multiple news outlets report.
“Our last day of operations here at Chick-fil-A Greenbriar Mall will be (May 20),” according to paper signs posted at the location, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. “It has been our pleasure to serve you!”
The notices re-directed customers to nearby Chick-fil-As, WXIA reported.
On Facebook, the mall location was listed as “permanently closed.” It wasn’t immediately clear why the restaurant is shutting down.
McClatchy News reached out to Chick-Fil-A for comment May 17 and was awaiting a response.
Opened in 1967, the stall has served hungry shoppers for more than 55 years and was a catalyst for the craze that would launch Chick-fil-A as one of the nation’s most popular fast-food chains, according to the restaurant’s website.
It was “groundbreaking” in that it helped pioneer “in-mall dining” and grew Chick-fil-A’s footprint to more than 45 U.S. states, the restaurant said.
Chick-fil-A served a limited menu in its early days but now offers a variety of options — including a plant-based version of its Original Chicken Sandwich. Come Saturday, however, there will be “no mor chikin” served at the beloved Greenbriar Mall location.
“That was one of the first and I remember going as a kid. I’m 58, so it’s heartbreaking,” a customer told WSB-TV.
The news also came as a shock to Chick-fil-A regulars who lamented the closure on social media.
Chick fil A in Greenbriar mall closing… and I feel some type of way about it. That was my quick lunch spot. 2 min drive… now I gotta drive 7 mins away
— Mira (@MMira08) May 12, 2023
Not they closing the Chick-fil-A in greenbriar
— LÁNISE (@wstcoco) May 12, 2023
they’re shutting down the chick fil a in greenbriar mall times really are changing
— briiiiiiiiiiiiiii (@bbjenks) May 16, 2023
Greenbriar Mall Chick-Fil-A is DEFINITELY closing.
The mall will basically be a Rainbow, sneakers and jewelry stores. Basically an indoor flea market.
The divestment has begun. Watch as gentrification takes hold; this is how it starts. https://t.co/OettGuUdKT pic.twitter.com/iakvh9PZOy— Stacey Ma Dukes Hopkins (@staceyhopkinsga) May 11, 2023
Greenbriar Mall really gone be dead without Chick-fil-a smh
— Ronnie (@DatGaBoii) May 12, 2023
the chick fil a at greenbriar closing pic.twitter.com/sKkERHne2P
— sigh⁷ ⟭⟬ | THE PLANET (@afronerdism) May 15, 2023
The chain’s closest locations are on Camp Creek Parkway and Cascade Road, both on Atlanta’s south side.
Chick-fil-A salad dressings are headed to a grocery store near you. Here’s when
Perdue launches new beer to help you make ‘beer can chicken.’ When to get it
Denny’s ‘biggest breakfast’ returns – but not for long. Here’s when you can get it
