Quick-service chicken chain Chick-fil-A is bringing a refreshed drive-thru concept to New Jersey.

The upcoming outpost at 301 Route 130 in Cinnaminson will also serve customers through a walk-up window for carry-out orders and offer patio seating for outdoor dining.

Founded in 1946, the family-owned chain is known for its chicken sandwiches, waffle fries and breakfast items. Its North American footprint of 3,000-plus locations includes more than 60 restaurants in New Jersey.

Chick-fil-A unveiled a reimagined drive-thru format last summer in Atlanta as a way to increase speed-of-service and simplify guest experience. Now the company is rolling it out to other locations.

According to Chick-fil-A, the updated version can support two to three times more vehicles than a standard Chick-fil-A restaurant drive-thru. In addition to extra drive-thru lanes, the concept features a kitchen that’s two times larger and a conveyor belt system that allows for meals to be delivered from the kitchen to a team member every six seconds.

In Cinnaminson, owner and operator Steve Cozzi will employ approximately 75 workers.

As part of a July 1 grand-opening celebration, beginning at 6:30 a.m., Chick-fil-A is encouraging the community to “show their spots” by wearing cow-related attire, like a full cow suit or accessory. Those who do will be able to redeem a free entrée or kid’s meal for orders placed in person at the drive-thru and walk-up window.

According to Chick-fil-A, the offer’s breakfast options are a chicken biscuit, egg white grill or four-count chicken minis. For lunch or dinner, guests in cow attire can score a chicken sandwich, spicy chicken sandwich, eight-count grilled nuggets or five-count nuggets kid’s meal.

Local impact

To celebrate its opening in Cinnaminson, Chick-fil-A donated $25,000 to Feeding America to support local partners in the fight against hunger.

The restaurant also plans to participate in the Chick-fil-A Shared Table program. The initiative redirects surplus food from the restaurants to local soup kitchens, shelters, food banks and nonprofits in need. To date, donations from over 2,300 Chick-fil-A locations have created more than 35 million meals.

In addition, the new location will recognize 100 local heroes making an impact in the community by providing them with free entrées for a year, the company said.

This marks the second Chick-fil-A for Cozzi, whose restaurant career began back-of-house as a teenager before going on to work in fine dining and graduating from the Culinary Institute of America.

In 2022, he became the owner and operator of the brand’s Delran outpost and will continue to lead that site alongside the soon-to-open one, according to Chick-fil-A.

Cozzi said, “Since I was a kid, sharing meals has been a way to connect and show care. Chick-fil-A has given me a unique opportunity to serve others and make a positive impact on my neighbors. I’m grateful to continue doing what I love, now with two locations in a community that means so much to my family and me.”

Chick-fil-A in Cinnaminson will be open Monday through Saturday, 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

As published in NJBiz: Chick-fil-A to debut new drive-thru concept in South Jersey - NJBIZ