Chick-fil-A Supply, the distribution service provider of the chain’s restaurants, is opening a 120,000-square-foot distribution center in Kannapolis, N.C. The $58.3 million investment will serve 100 Chick-fil-A restaurants in the Charlotte region, ensuring the smooth delivery of needed food and products, according to a Sept. 19 statement from the North Carolina Dept. of Commerce.

Known for its Original Chicken Sandwich and signature hospitality, Chick-fil-A has grown to be one of the nation’s highest-volume quick service restaurants since opening in 1967. Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A, Inc. is a restaurant company known for the Original Chick-fil-A® Chicken Sandwich and signature hospitality. Represented by more than 170,000 team members, operators and staff, Chick-fil-A restaurants serve guests freshly prepared food at more than 2,800 restaurants in 48 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and Canada.

Chick-fil-A Supply ensures restaurants have the food and products they need through a seamless delivery experience that extends the Chick-fil-A culture of care. The new 120,000-square-foot distribution center will serve around 100 restaurants in the Charlotte region. The company plans to open the facility in the third quarter of 2024. Chick-fil-A Supply currently operates four distribution centers, including a 180,000-square-foot distribution center in Mebane.

“Chick-fil-A Supply is committed to investing in local communities like Kannapolis to create jobs and grow our supply chain operation,” says Josh Grote, Executive Director of Chick-fil-A Supply. “We look forward to growing our Chick-fil-A Supply family in North Carolina and know they will complete deliveries with care to serve our franchise Operators, licensees and Team Members.”

The Kannapolis facility is slated to open in the third quarter of 2024, and will create more than 85 jobs, according to a release by the NC Dept. of Commerce. Positions include drivers, warehouse staff, managers, office staff and personnel.

The restaurant chain has been growing its supply chain operations in the U.S. over the past few years after initially making the first delivery from its company-owned distribution center in 2019. Chick-fil-A Supply currently operates four other distribution centers, including a 180,000-square-foot center in Mebane, North Carolina.

Earlier this year Chick-fil-A announced plans to open a DC in Kansas in early 2024. The year prior, the chain planned to open a $16 million DC in Missouri. 

The restaurant has also been looking to lower the cost of delivery fulfillment, and in 2022, began testing autonomous delivery vehicles in Austin, Texas.

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