Fairfax's new Chick-fil-A brought 65 new jobs and a year of free Chick-fil-A meals for 100 adults on Thursday, Sept. 19. The grand opening of the 4516 Fair Knoll Drive off Fair Lakes Parkway restaurant saw 200 people arrive before 6 a.m., hoping to win their year of free meals. There was plenty of free food for the families and guests camping in the grass in front of the building, playing games, resting, reading and dancing. A DJ even arrived to play some music the night prior to the opening.
The Fairfax location is the first Chick-fil-A restaurant in the area to be built to meet LEED certification standards.
Ellie Kim is the franchised owner/operator, relocating from the restaurant in Sterling. A Chick-fil-A operator since 2006, Kim is a Rutgers University School of Law graduate who practiced in New York and New Jersey for several years before deciding to pursue the Chick-fil-A operator opportunity. Kim and her husband, Joseph, live in Fairfax County with their two children.
The line for free Chick-Fil-A for a year officially opened at 6 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 18.
The new restaurant seats 132 with additional outdoor seating, has warm colors and wood accents and offers the convenience of free Wi-Fi. It will be open Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., serving a full breakfast menu until 10:30 a.m. The restaurant is closed on Sundays.