COVINGTON, Ga. - With an increase in space -approximately three acres - fans of Chick-fil-A can expect more room to eat more chicken. The restaurant, located on Highway 278, celebrated the new location with a ribbon cutting on Tuesday, June 18.

Chris Giella, restaurant operator at Covington’s Chick-fil-A, was introduced at the ceremony by Eren Page, corporate liaison, as having “peanut oil running through [his] veins.” Giella began his career at Chick-fil-A as a teenager, and as a restaurant operator, he is “committed to serving in this particular community,” Page said.

During Giella’s speech, he talked about how the chicken sandwich opens doors and helps form relationships in a community. He wants the 170 team members working at the new location “to not only improve their lives but improve the community.”

Over the years, Giella has watched his employees grow within the company, and for the employees that have moved on from the chicken sandwich, he continues to watch them grow in other careers. To him, his team members are the reason Chick-fil-A means something to the community.

Giella emotionally ended his speech with gratitude towards his team members “because, without them, it don’t mean nothing.”

Pastor Todd Hilton, of Mansfield and Newborn United Methodist, dedicated the new Chick-fil-A before the ribbon cutting.

“We gather here in anticipation of great things within our community and are so grateful for those who are investing their resources and their labor into its development," Hilton said in prayer. 

The new building, along with the food, was blessed during the prayer. Hilton gave a special thanks to God “for sending waffle fries into our world.”

Chick-fil-A officially opened its doors Wednesday, June 19 at 6 a.m.