Chick-fil-A opens new Bridgewater drive-thru June 4

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The basics:

• Chick-fil-A opens at Bridgewater Towne Center June 4
• New restaurant will create 100 full- and part-time jobs
• Grand opening includes free food for guests in cow attire
• Location replaces shuttered Ruby Tuesday restaurant

Chick-fil-A is adding another drive-thru restaurant in Central Jersey.

Located at Bridgewater Towne Center in Bridgewater, the quick-service chicken chain is set to begin welcoming customers June 4. 

The grand-opening celebration begins at 6:30 a.m. Chick-fil-A encourages the community to “show their spots” by wearing cow-related attire, like a full cow suit or accessory.

Those who participate in the “Moove-In Party” can redeem a free entrée or kid’s meal. The promotion applies to orders placed in person at the drive-thru and inside the restaurant.

According to Chick-fil-A, the offer’s breakfast options include a chicken biscuit, egg white grill or four-count chicken minis. For lunch or dinner, guests in cow attire can score a chicken sandwich, spicy chicken sandwich, eight-count grilled nuggets or five-count nuggets kid’s meal.

The freebie is limited to one per person in cow attire while supplies last. No purchase is necessary, according to Chick-fil-A.

Founded in 1946, the family-owned chain is known for its chicken sandwiches, waffle fries and breakfast items. Its North American footprint of 3,300-plus locations includes more than 60 restaurants in New Jersey. 

A company man

Owner-operator Paul Daniels will run the upcoming location.

A Texas native, Daniels started with the company 26 years ago as a team member. He then decided to pursue the path to local ownership and became one of the first operators to introduce Chick-fil-A to New York City. 

After years of living and working in the city, Daniels and his family were drawn to Bridgewater for the opportunity to build a life in a suburban community, according to Chick-fil-A.

He’s also a recipient of the Chick-fil-A Remarkable Futures Scholarship. Launched in 1973, the initiative has distributed $244 million in scholarship money to more than 16,000 employees across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico.

“After more than two decades with Chick-fil-A, opening this restaurant is such a meaningful moment for my entire family,” said Daniels. “I’m excited to celebrate this new beginning with the Bridgewater community and create a place where people feel genuinely cared for.”

Clucking up

At Bridgewater Towne Center, the newly built 4,989-square-foot Chick-fil-A sits on a pad site that once housed a Ruby Tuesday restaurant. 

Chick-fil-A Bridgewater will be open Monday through Thursday from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday through Saturday from 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. for dine-in, drive-thru, carry-out and delivery.

The outpost also features Mobile Thru, a fully dedicated drive-thru lane where guests can pick up orders placed ahead of time via the Chick-fil-A app. Additionally, there’s an on-site playground for guests with children, the chain said.

Chick-fil-A at Bridgewater Towne Center:

According to Chick-fil-A, the restaurant will employ 100 part- and full-time workers. More information on job openings is available here. 

First-day festivities will also include a $25,000 donation to Feeding America in support of hunger relief efforts.

The restaurant plans to participate in the Chick-fil-A Shared Table program, too. The initiative redirects surplus food from the restaurants to local soup kitchens, shelters, food banks and nonprofits in need. To date, donations from the effort have created more than 42 million meals, the company said.