Listen to this article

The basics:

• Chick-fil-A Gloucester Outlets opens April 2 with drive-thru, dine-in, carry-out, delivery
• Grand-opening “Moove-In Party” offers free meals for cow-themed attire
• Features Mobile Thru, on-site playground, summer extended hours
• Restaurant employs 100 staff, donates $25,000 to Philabundance for hunger relief

Chick-fil-A will add another drive-thru restaurant in South Jersey.

Located at Gloucester Premium Outlets in Blackwood, the quick-service chicken chain is set to begin welcoming customers April 2.

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” will be able to redeem a free entrée or kid’s meal for 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 per day while supplies last. No purchase is necessary, according to Chick-fil-A.

Chickening out

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.

The upcoming location marks the first Chick-fil-A for local owner-operator Steve Bouhadana.

A New Jersey native, Bouhadana began his Chick-fil-A career as a team member at the chain’s Freehold Raceway Mall location.

During his time there, he was a four-time 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.

“Chick-fil-A has been part of my story in countless ways, from being my first job to helping me pay for my college education,” Bouhadana shared. “Growing up and often feeling out of place among my peers, Chick-fil-A helped me discover my purpose in life and challenged me to give my best in everything I do.”

Chick-fil-A has been part of my story in countless ways, from being my first job to helping me pay for my college education.
— Steve Bouhadana, Chick-fil-A Gloucester Outlets owner-operator

The Rowan University alumnus added, “With the opening of Chick-fil-A Gloucester Outlets, I’m excited to build a lasting legacy in Blackwood by empowering the next generation of leaders and investing in the growth of the community.”

Giving back

At the Simon Property Group-owned shopping center, the newly built 5,400-square-foot Chick-fil-A sits on a pad site near Route 42.

Chick-fil-A Glassboro will be open Monday through Saturday 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. for dine-in, drive-thru, carry-out and delivery. During the summer months, it will remain open until 11 p.m.

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.

Gloucester Premium Outlets, Blackwood:

According to the chain, the restaurant will employ 100 part- and full-time workers. More information on job openings can be found here.

First-day festivities will also include a $25,000 donation to Philabundance in support of local 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.