The Jackson Chick-fil-A will be 15 minutes closer to Hillsdale. Graphic by the City News Team
Students could taste a No. 1 with the lemonade at the Chick-fil-A location in Jackson when it opens this spring.
Aaron Dimick, public information officer and spokesperson for the City of Jackson, said construction is progressing on the restaurant.
“Chick-fil-A has reported that they are working toward a spring 2025 opening,“ Diminick said. “We have not heard an exact date on when the doors will open. Everything appears to be moving along well. Signage is up and exterior features like the drive-thru are taking shape.”
The new location will be 15 minutes closer than the current closest Chick-fil-A in Battle Creek, Michigan.
Tim Wells, associate vice president for administrative affairs at Hillsdale College, said the college will continue to work with the Chick-Fil-A in Battle Creek to bring sandwiches to the dining hall occasionally during the semester.
“The college does not have plans to expand with a physical location at Hillsdale,” Wells said. “We value the partnership we’ve built with the team at the Battle Creek store and currently don’t have any plans to alter that partnership at this time.”
Dimick said the city of Jackson has worked with the restaurant to ensure its location blends well with its surroundings as it brings in 80-120 new jobs.
“Some residents have expressed concern about the Chick-fil-A drive-thru backing up traffic onto North West Avenue,” Dimick said. “The City of Jackson, however, worked with the developer to make changes to the site plan so the restaurant has an extended drive-thru to prevent traffic congestion.”
Junior Cameron Frye said he is excited about the closer Chick-fil-A but it is still far away.
“Obviously I‘m happy for it, but it‘s not close enough,” Frye said. “Over 45 minutes away, what a dirty rotten trick to play.”
Frye, who worked at a Chick-fil-A during high school, expressed how much the restaurant means to him.
“There‘s only two things I need in my life,” Frye said. “The cross and my Chick-fil-A sauce.”
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