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Is Chick-fil-A outgrowing the mall format it helped pioneer? October 1, 2026 Chick-fil-A built its early success in mall food courts, but a string of longtime mall closures suggests the chain's restaurant strategy is evolving. According to an article in The Street, Chick-fil-A closed its Arbor Place Mall restaurant in Georgia after nearly 27 years in business there. The move follows other mall closures in Georgia and Pennsylvania where locations have been in operation for up to 40 years. Meanwhile, Chick-fil-A continues to expand standalone restaurants that can accommodate drive-thru, mobile ordering, pickup and delivery. The company hasn't announced plans to abandon malls - and still operates food-court locations - but the closures point to a changing mix of restaurants.

New Chick-fil-A location opens up in Coralville. New Chick-fil-A location opens near the Iowa River Landing, bringing new jobs and leadership opportunities. Alyssa Lippens, News Reporter - October 1, 2026 Customers wait in line at the new Coralville Chick-fil-A location on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. The location opened on Oct.1, and they encouraged customers to wear cow print clothing items in exchange for a free entree to celebrate their opening day. (Liz Sleper / The Daily Iowan) A new Chick-fil-A location has opened in Coralville, bringing about 100 new positions and a familiar team from the restaurant's Coral Ridge Mall location. For Chase Williby, the owner of both locations, the opening represents more than an expansion. After nearly five years in the Iowa City area, he said the new restaurant is another step toward making the community his family's long-term home. Williby, who grew up in Nebraska, moved to Colorado for college, where he met his wife while working at Chick-fil-A. Despite earning an engineering degree, he never expected to make a career out of the restaurant business. "I was truly just trying to pay my bills," Williby said. "I was applying to engineering jobs, and nothing was working out." As he took on more leadership responsibilities at Chick-fil-A, the possibility of eventually owning a restaurant became more realistic. By his senior year of college, he had received engineering opportunities, but chose to pursue Chick-fil-A instead. "It was a really big leap of faith, but it's been a great journey, and I'm super thankful to be here," he said. Williby and his wife eventually participated in Chick-fil-A's leadership development program, traveling around the country and helping with grand openings. Williby said he assisted with the openings of 11 restaurants before receiving the opportunity to operate his own location. The opportunity eventually brought the couple to Iowa, where his wife's family is from. "We came to Iowa excited about the opportunity, but we didn't know if it was going to be our long-term home," Williby said. "Now, with this location coming and the stability we've had in this community for almost five years, we're super excited." The new location also creates opportunities for employees who have worked with Williby at the Coral Ridge Mall. Liz Moraza, who has worked with Chick-fil-A for three and a half years, started as a part-time employee while saving money. "I originally started here because I wanted to get a car," Moraza said. "But the more I worked here, the more I thought, 'This is kind of nice. I like the people. I like the operator." After two months, Moraza moved into a full-time position. She later became the back-of-house director, managing the kitchen, training employees, and overseeing food quality. Now, she serves as director of operations at the new Iowa River Landing location, overseeing 100 employees. Moraza said Williby's investment in employees played a major role in her decision to continue working with the company. "I wanted to be part of this," she said. "I wanted to help him fulfill the vision he has for this restaurant." For Williby, one of the most significant parts of the expansion is the opportunity it gives employees to take on leadership roles. Moraza exemplifies this. "I'm super proud of her," Williby said. The new restaurant requires the team to prepare employees for responsibilities not part of their operations at the mall location, including breakfast service and a drive-thru. Moraza said the leadership team has tried to prepare employees for the challenges of opening a new restaurant while emphasizing that mistakes are expected during the transition. "We're here with you. Don't feel bad if you get confused in the drive-thru or make a mistake," Moraza said. The new Chick-fil-A location has created excitement for employees and chicken lovers alike. Among its early customers were Michael Hoega and his mom, Eileen Ackerland, who stopped in for lunch after a routine checkup at the University of Iowa Health Care. Ackerland already knew exactly what she wanted. "I had the same Chick-fil-A salad the other day," Ackerland said. "I was craving it and decided to stop at the new location for a quick lunch." Support The Daily Iowan. The independent, student-run newsroom at the DI covers the University of Iowa and local community to keep you informed. Your support helps provide the necessary resources and training to continue our mission.

Chick-fil-A reveals plan for 5th Capital Region restaurant. Fresh off the opening of the area's first Chicken Salad Chick in Clifton Park and an influx of Dave's Hot Chicken restaurants over the last few years, the king of all chicken eateries has revealed plans for another Capital Region location. Yes, of course I am talking about Chick-fil-A. They already run restaurants in Albany, Clifton Park, Latham, and North Greenbush. According to an Albany Business Review (ABR) report, the chicken giant has its sights set on its 5th Capital Region location in Colonie. Where will the new Chick-fil-A be located? ABR says Chick-fil-A revealed plans for the new eatery to be located at the Colonie Center. Plans for the new location, which would be part of a retail development project on the south end of the Colonie Center property, are expected to be reviewed on October 6th by the Colonie planning board. When will the new Chick-fil-A open? As this one is still way early in the review process, it would be hard to pinpoint an opening date. But ABR did say Chick-fil-A previously alluded to another Capital Region opening sometime in 2029. While the Colonie area may have to wait a couple of years for its own Chick-fil-A, at least Q105.7 is not starved for access to its menu with various openings recently. Remember when the airport held its only Capital Region location, and just the scent of a regular restaurant opening drove locals wild? Now Q105.7 has a wealth of Chick-fil-A options! I guess you can say Q105.7 is now spoiled in the chicken restaurant chain arena. The best fried chicken sandwiches in the Capital Region of new york state, ranked! Gallery Credit: Brian Cody TSM Albany