Chick-fil-A Sets Opening Date In West Haven

WEST HAVEN, CT — The new Chick-fil-A in West Haven will open on Thursday, Nov. 14, according to officials.

The West Haven Chick-fil-A, owned and operated by Connecticut native Jose Marquez, is a drive-thru-only restaurant located at 487 Saw Mill Road. It is open from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

“Designed for speed and efficiency, this drive-thru-focused location offers added convenience to serve guests through its drive-thru and a walk-up window for carry-out,” according to a news release. “The restaurant will also offer Mobile Thru, a fully dedicated lane in the drive-thru where Guests can pick up orders placed ahead of time on the Chick-fil-A App.”

The West Haven location joins 14 other Chick-fil-A restaurants in Connecticut. It will employ approximately 100 full-and part-time workers.

In celebration of the opening, Marquez is honoring 100 local heroes with free Chick-fil-A entrées for a year, according to the news release.

Chick-fil-A has donated $25,000 to Connecticut Foodshare to support local hunger relief efforts in honor of the new restaurant, the news release states. The West Haven restaurant will also participate in the Chick-fil-A Shared Table program to donate surplus food to local soup kitchens, shelters, food banks and nonprofits in need.

Marquez, who was born in Bridgeport and raised in north Georgia, worked his way up to owner-operator after starting as a Chick-fil-A team member more than 13 years ago. He also met his wife, Julianna, while working at Chick-fil-A.

“This is such an incredible moment for me, returning to my home state, while also getting the opportunity to open the first Chick-fil-A restaurant in West Haven,” Marquez said. “Reflecting on my early days as a Team Member, it feels surreal to be stepping into the role of local Owner-Operator, a position I’ve admired and aspired to reach for years. I cannot wait to introduce Chick-fil-A to my new neighbors in West Haven – offering meaningful dining experiences, cultivating strong career opportunities and, as always, leading with our signature hospitality.”

Since the West Haven restaurant is a drive-thru-focused location, Chick-fil-A shared the following car flow plan:

To access Chick-fil-A West Haven, all guests will enter from Saw Mill Road.

• Drive-thru Guests: Keep right and a Team Member will greet you at your vehicle and take your order on a tablet while you are still in line.
• Mobile Thru Guests: Follow signs for the dedicated Mobile Thru lane. Order ahead on the Chick-fil-A app and scan the QR code to check in when you arrive.
• Carry-out and delivery orders: Keep left for carry-out and delivery and loop around to find a parking space. At the pick-up window, meet with a Team Member to place an order and receive your meal.

All guests will merge into two lanes to exit via Saw Mill Road.