GA's Chick-fil-A To Open Elevated Drive-Thru Concept, Names New Prez

MCDONOUGH, GA — The nation's first Chick-fil-A drive-thru only restaurant will open Thursday in Georgia, the company announced Wednesday.

Furthermore, new leadership will soon take the helm at Chick-fil-A, the company said.

With four drive-thru lanes and an elevated kitchen, Chick-fil-A plans to open its new concept at 2155 Jodeco Road in McDonough.

The fast-food chicken eatery will also feature a sophisticated conveyor belt that will be able to allow for meals to be delivered to team members every six seconds, the company said.

Additionally, representatives said the kitchen will be twice as large as its usual kitchen size.

No dining room or dine-in service will be available. About 150 staffers will be employed at the McDonough site, which will be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

“Our guests lead busy lives, and we’re focused on designing our restaurants to best serve their needs,” said Jonathan Reed, executive director of design for Chick-fil-A, in a news release. “With the new elevated drive-thru design, featuring our first four lane drive-thru, we're aiming to deliver quality food and genuine hospitality in a way that’s uniquely Chick-fil-A, and gives our guests time back in their day.”

RELATED: Chick-fil-A To Debut Drive-Thru Only Location In Metro Atlanta

Chick-fil-A said the expanded lanes will be able to support two to three more cars than its standard drive-thru lanes. Customers will be able to either order ahead through the restaurant app or place their order with a team member.

Brett Lewis, who oversaw Chick-fil-A Dalton, will be the owner-operator of the McDonough location, the company said.

“I’ve been fortunate to work with Chick-fil-A for a long time," Lewis said. "I am excited to move back to Stockbridge and honored to open this new concept, which happens to be four miles away from my childhood home. As a local business owner, I look forward to learning how to best serve the community I grew up in and working alongside my team members as we create a one-of-a-kind drive-thru experience for our guests.”

Aside from expanding its chain, Chick-fil-A Chief Executive Officer Andrew T. Cathy has named Susannah Frost as the company's newest president.

Additionally, Cathy - the grandson of founder Truett Cathy - named Cliff Robinson as chief operating officer. Robinson currently serves as chief people officer at the massive establishment and is the son of a Chick-fil-A owner-operator, according to a past release.

Both Frost and Robinson will fill their new roles effective Oct. 1. Frost will be the company's sixth president since its 1967 inception.

“Susannah has demonstrated tremendous leadership throughout the business and has the range of expertise that will help the company continue growing with care and confidence,” Andrew Cath said in the release. “Having served as the CEO for three years, the timing is right to expand our leadership capabilities to include a president who will work closely with me and our executive committee to steward our domestic and global expansion.”

In her new role, the company said Frost will lead an executive committee and provide strategic clarity and alignment so Chick-fil-A can continue to be a market leader and have healthy growth.

Presently, Frost oversees restaurant development and field operations for more than 3,000 Chick-fil-A sites. Prior to that, the company said she was a real estate attorney and partner at Troutman Sanders.

As COO, Robinson will take over field operations and restaurant development, Chick-fil-A said.

“The future continues to offer so much potential and promise as we look to grow our opportunities to provide care and great food as well as live out our corporate purpose,” said Frost, who has been with Chick-fil-A since 2007.

“We have the opportunity to scale care with excellence across 3,000-plus restaurants and international markets. I look forward to working alongside Andrew, our leaders, operators and staff to provide this to customers in the communities we serve.”