Chicken connoisseurs flock to Chick-Fil-A ‘s grand opening

Although many businesses have met a tragic end at the hands of the devastating COVID-19 pandemic, a new restaurant in Oshkosh has flourished. On January 7, a plethora of cars raced past neighboring parking lots to reach the brand-new Chick-Fil-A for the first time. The popular fast food chain recently staged their grand opening filled with fresh student employees and new COVID-19 protocols. 

Sophomore Chick-Fil-A team member Anna Dailey was overwhelmed by the turnout. 

“It was crazy but it was good, it was fun,” she said. “There were so many people. I would say around a couple hundred people came or more. It was a lot.” 

Sophomore employee Lauren Hable felt employees held up well in the storm. 

“I’d say it went pretty well from our perspective,” she said. “I think we did pretty well with going through it fast for the grand opening day.”

Dailey estimates that Chick-Fil-A may have seen an even bigger crowd, if not for the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“I do think we would have filled our inside seating, because we don’t have inside seating right now,” she said. “I think the number would have gone up a little bit, but a lot of people were just like ‘it’s open, we gotta go.’”

Junior Olufunsho Akinleye, a Chick-Fil-A enthusiast, had a positive experience as a customer on opening day. 

“The lines are long, but they split up into two and then both lines go by really quickly,” he said. “There’s multiple people handing out your food, so even though the lines are long, they go by really quickly.” 

Sophomore worker Sarah Pizon witnessed the incredibly long lines when she went to the new restaurant.

“It was to the Lowe’s parking lot, wrapping through the parking lot,” she said. “Around six, the average wait time after getting your order taken to it being made is maybe 10 minutes because there were so many people coming through. As for the line, it all depends on when you’re going; I’d say maybe 30 minutes.” 

As Chick-Fil-A workers like Dailey handle their overwhelming line of customers, they make sure to emphasize cleanliness and proper protocols to stay in line with the pandemic precautions.

“We are required to wear masks, a lot of people double-mask,” she said. “We wash our hands every hour, sanitize everything, and disinfect. We’re not allowed to take things back, which is something we used to do. They also take our temperature every day when we show up.”
Hable has also had to adapt to the new COVID precautions.

Photo by Isabelle Cartwright

Chick-Fil-A assists a few cars through their exclusive drive-through area. Cars have been spotted non-stop around the store ever since their grand opening on January 7th, 2021.

“When we bring out the food, we bring it out in a plastic bin,” she said. “That way, we don’t have to touch the bags or anything, and customers can just take their food out of the bins.”

Employees expected COVID-19 protocols to be taken very seriously; they were taught in job training sessions. For Dailey, organization is key to keeping a sanitary environment.

“We have color-coordinated cleaning supplies,” she said. “That way, things that may have come in contact with people aren’t being mixed with the kitchen stuff.”

Hable has to take extra measures with her uniform to ensure the safety and well-being of employees and customers. 

“If we are going to be outside for our shift, we have thick jackets that we can wear,” she said. “One of the things we have to do because of COVID is disinfect the jackets after we use them.”

Junior Sydney Butz, a casual Chick-Fil-A customer, appreciates the store’s compliance with pandemic precautions. 

“The employees were all masked, and obviously they were outside too,” she said. “They were super respectful of your space like in your car; you didn’t have to get out of your car or anything so you could stay a safe distance away.” 

Hable felt content with cleaning policies and Chick-Fil-A still remains a safe space for her, both physically and emotionally. 

“We all have masks on, and we all wash our hands very, very often,” she said. “Just right off the bat working there, everybody there is super friendly and you make friends there easily.”

The friendly environment of Chick-Fil-A attracted Dailey and compelled her to apply for a job.

“I’ve always loved Chick-Fil-A, who doesn’t?” she said. “So it all fell into place. They’re really nice. It’s kind of like their brand to be nice, but even behind the scenes they are so nice.” 

Pizon finds happiness to be a high priority.

“I think that with every meal we serve, we kind of bring a smile to everyone, even though they had to wait really long,” she said. 

Dailey believes the unique environment is one of Chick-Fil-A’s strongest points that puts them on a different level than their competitors. 

“If you are having a bad day and you show up at Chick-Fil-A you can’t be mad at them,” she said. “Like there’s just no way, we’re just too nice. And quality food too, we all know McDonald’s chicken nuggets can be a little iffy sometimes.” 

Butz is excited about a new addition to an old environment.

“It adds something new and exciting to Oshkosh,” she said. “It brings more people to new places. It’s just really exciting to add more things to our small little city.”

by Hannah Chung

Published January 29th, 2021

Oshkosh West Index Volume 117 Issue 4