Chick-fil-A To Come to Olney in Near Future

By Meagan Barrett ‘15

Chick-fil-A representatives revealed a proposal to build a 4,780 square foot establishment in Olney during a July meeting with a group of Olney representatives. According to the company’s plans, the future restaurant is set to include a drive-thru, children’s play place, and 120 seat occupancy. The goal is to give the restaurant more of a “street presence” by giving it outdoor seating as well as a pedestrian connection off of Georgia Avenue.

Chick-fil-A will replace the small building adjacent to Five Guys, which currently houses Master Method Karate, S Cleaners and Designs by Nicole. The building, as well as an unoccupied house on the east end of the property, is going to be razed.
Along with changing the building, the company is planning to work with Five Guys, Chipotle and Gorman’s Garments and Gear to completely overhaul the parking lot and create a space with more than 170 parking spaces.

During the meeting of Olney representatives, one representative, who refrained from giving her name, expressed concern that the political, moral, and religious viewpoints of Chick-fil-A executives may not align with those of the Olney community. In June, 2012, the president of the company, Dan Cathy, son of founder Truett Cathy, openly expressed his disapproval of gay and lesbian couples and their right to marriage. Under criticism, Cathy said he was “guilty as charged,” and that he and the other company executives believed in upholding the biblical definition of marriage. Conservative political figurehead Mike Huckabee then established on social media that August 1, 2012 was “National Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day,” later supported and advertised by former presidential candidate Rick Santorum.

While Cathy’s viewpoints made Chick-fil-A more popular in conservative areas, Olney is predominantly liberal. It was a brief concern that residents’ political and religious affiliations would prevent them from frequenting Chick-fil-A. However, no other representatives considered it a problem.

What others saw as more of a concern was whether or not Olney needs another fast food restaurant when there are more than 20 already within a three-mile radius of the town.

In response, Chick-fil-A offered examples of its community involvement at previously established locations. Many places offer family-oriented activities such as story night, father-daughter night and others. While Olney is already overflowing with fast food, Chick-fil-A promises to add a unique experience to the community.

There are no final arrangements as of yet, but a lot of planning has been done in order to accommodate for the possibility. It is likely that within the next two years, Chick-fil-A will make an appearance in Olney.