COVINGTON, Ga. – Chick-fil-A will open its newest Covington restaurant, located at 12290 Brown Bridge Road, Sept. 10, bringing its handcrafted food and award-winning customer service, commitment to community engagement and hands-on mentoring for nearly 100 newly-hired Team Members.
About Operator Chris Giella
Salem Bridge at Chick-fil-A franchise owner Chris Giella, who grew up in Savannah, was hired at age 15 at the Chick-fil-A in Oglethorpe Mall, where he worked throughout high school.
While in graduate school at Georgia State University, Giella knew he wanted to work in an environment where he could mentor talent and care for his community. He knew that Chick-fil-A would enable him to achieve his leadership, community service and entrepreneurial goals.
Giella began his pursuit to become an Operator in January 1999 by working for Chick-fil-A at Howell Mill Operator John Diamond, who he knew in Savannah and who helped him get his first job at Chick-fil-A. Giella helped the restaurant achieve the Symbol of Success Award - one of the chain’s highest honors.
Giella’s hard work paid off and 11 months later he was selected as Operator of the Chick-fil-A at Northlake Mall.
After 10 years of operating the location, he transferred to the Chick-fil-A at Newton Plaza in Covington in June 2009, which this year, underwent a relocation and renaming and is now Chick-fil-A at Covington.
As a result of his continued success, Giella has been given a second location, the Chick-fil-A at Salem Bridge. This makes him a multi-unit Operator of two stand-alone restaurants which is a rare honor among the chain.
Giella is supported in his business by his wife, Amy, who also worked at Chick-fil-A during high school, and their three children.
“I am excited to have an opportunity to further expand my service and impact on the Covington community both inside and outside my restaurants,” said Giella, who has awarded more than $48,500 in scholarships to his team at his Covington restaurant. “I am committed to continue developing my 200 Team Members at both the Salem Bridge and Covington locations as together we provide a remarkable experience to our guests who become part of our family.”
Restaurant details
Giella’s nearly 4,900-square-foot restaurant has been designed to enhance all aspects of a guest’s experience from the drive-thru to the counter to in-restaurant dining. Highlights include a:
- dual-lane drive-thru merging into a single pick-up point that can handle upwards of 200 cars an hour. The location also has environment-controlled canopies to further enhance the outside ordering experience
- heritage restaurant design that showcases a vintage-inspired interior with floor-to-ceiling windows and drop pendant lighting
- dining room with a two-story indoor playground, free Wi-Fi and 108 seats, along with 12 outdoor patio seating
- full-service menu with a variety of healthy and dietary options and breakfast until 10:30 a.m. and will be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Chick-fil-A locations are closed on Sunday
First 100 Campout event
The overnight, 12-hour grand opening First 100 Campout party includes engaging activities for participants who also will enjoy Chick-fil-A meals throughout the countdown to the opening. Registration begins in the restaurant parking lot at 6 p.m. Sept. 9. Details include:
- Up to 100 adults winning a digital offer card with a year of free Chick-fil-A meals (52 meals with each consisting of a Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich)
- The community event is open to guests surrounding the restaurant with a list of eligible zip codes and complete rules found at https://thechickenwire.chick-fil-a.com/News/Future-Openings.
Chick-fil-A in Metro-Atlanta The chain opened its first Atlanta restaurant in 1967 at Greenbriar Mall. The chain now has 18 restaurants within a 25-mile radius of Covington, and this location is one of 120 new restaurants slated to open nationwide, creating more than 10,000 jobs. For moreinformation about the restaurant visit Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/chickfilasalembridge/.
