Alexander Alusheff

Lansing State Journal

DELTA TWP. - One of the first free-standing Chick-fil-A restaurants in Michigan will open in Delta Township this fall.

Company officials gathered at the future location at 5617 W. Saginaw Hwy. for a ground breaking Tuesday morning. Included was an announcement that the chain will expand to roughly 20 Michigan locations over the next five years and is looking at sites in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and metro Detroit, said Kim McGrady, a corporate business consultant who spoke at the ceremony.

"We're excited to bring great food to you and the Lansing community," McGrady said.

He did not confirm a second Greater Lansing location in Okemos off Grand River Avenue in front of the Meijer, though the Atlanta-based chain received permits from the Meridian Township Planning Commission in January.

In addition to the Delta Township location, Chick-fil-A also plans to open a restaurant at the Somerset Collection in Troy around the same time. The chain currently operates two locations in Michigan - one on the Oakland University campus in Rochester and at the Detroit Metro Airport. The chain has over 2,000 restaurants nationwide.

"We felt like this was the ideal spot for us in the community," McGrady said as to why Chick-fil-A chose the Lansing area for one of its first free-standing restaurants.

The Delta Township location will employ 80 part-time and full-time workers, McGrady said. The 4,971-square-foot restaurant will feature a dining room and drive-through. It is on the site of a former Fazoli's.

"Chick-fil-A is passionate about developing leaders," said restaurant consultant Tim Nolan of Behavior Business Partners, who does work for Chick-fil-A. "To invest in leaders is to invest in the community. You will love this restaurant."

Contact Alexander Alusheff at (517) 388-5973 or aalusheff@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexalusheff.