PACKED HOUSE from (l-r) Terry and Richard Trujillo, La Mirada Mayor Pro Tem John Lewis, Councilman Larry Mowles, Mayor Steve De Ruse, Chamber Executive Director Noel James and owner Chris Schivley and his son. The new restaurant is located at 14303 Firestone Boulevard, right off the 5 freeway.
BY TAMMYE MCDUFF
The La Mirada community celebrated the opening of the first Chick-fil-A restaurant Monday evening, May 19, 2019. Owner Chris Schivley welcomed City Council, Chamber of Commerce and other local VIP’s to the soft opening.
Located at 14303 Firestone Boulevard, Chick-fil-A / La Mirada restaurant will officially open its doors to the public on May 23rd, and employ almost 90 Team Members.
Schivley graduated from Long Beach State University in 2002 with a degree in criminal justice and went on to earn a master’s degree in public policy and administration in 2006. He grew up in the Los Angeles County area and spent the first 20 years of his career in law enforcement.
A few years ago he and his wife began a weekly date night tradition of visiting the local Chick-fil-A in Long Beach. After learning about the franchise owner opportunity from a colleague, Schivley’s interest was piqued and it didn’t take long before he realized the brand’s focus on serving food and mentoring young people matched his entrepreneurial goals. By the end of 2018, Schivley left his police department job to pursue his dream of becoming an Operator and was thrilled when he was selected for the new La Mirada restaurant.
Becoming an Operator is no small feat. The Chick-fil-A chain receives nearly 60,000 applications each year for to fill an approximate 100 franchise opportunities. Schivley and his wife, Alisa, and their two children are excited to open the new La Mirada restaurant so close to their home in Long Beach. “I am eager to bring Chick-fil-A’s menu items and personalized customer service to the La Mirada community,” he said. “I am committed to developing my Team Members as together we provide a remarkable experience to our guests.”
The new 5,400-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 two-lane drive-thru merging into a single pick-up point that can handle upwards of 200 cars an hour; heritage restaurant design that showcases a vintage-inspired interior with floor-to-ceiling windows, drop pendant lighting and a recycled peach basket light, and a chandelier made from recycled Coke bottles which hangs over a community table made from reclaimed wood. A designated inside pickup counter as well a reserved “Super Hero” parking spot has been designated for veterans, active duty, police, fire fighters, and teachers.
The inside dining room is equipped with free Wi-Fi and seats 112, along with a 12-seat outdoor patio. A two-story indoor playground has an interactive toddler section. The full-service menu is filled with a variety of healthy and dietary options. Breakfast is served until 10:30 a.m., the restaurant is open from 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Chick-fil-A locations are closed on Sunday.
The overnight Grand Opening ‘First 100 Campout’ began May 22nd with engaging activities for participants ages five and older who will also enjoy a Chick-fil-A meal during the countdown to the opening. The campout is held for the first 100 adults, ages 18 and older, who will win a digital offer card with a year of free Chick-fil-A meals.