Chicken Sandwich Dreams Come True with Chick-fil-A Opening at Mississippi College

Waffle fries, chicken sandwiches with a smile, shakes, and more will be on the menu as Mississippi College soon welcomes a new Chick-fil-A.

President Blake Thompson joins students, faculty, and staff excited to see America’s third largest restaurant chain come to the Clinton campus. The first day of business in the university’s renovated Alumni Hall will be August 18.

The timing is right as students at the Christian university begin fall semester classes on August 17.

New space for Chick-fil-A customers will provide a convenient spot for the university family to fellowship over a delicious meal, school leaders say.

An Einstein Bros. Bagels will occupy a nearby location in Alumni Hall’s Commons area in late September. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, people enjoying chicken sandwiches with a pickle on top must practice proper social distancing.

On August 4, the countdown is happening for the Chick-fil-A to open its doors in two weeks. Students can almost taste the Chick-fil-A sandwiches, salads, and ice cream treats this summer. The words of Chick-fil-A staffers who like to say “my pleasure” are sure to be heard in Alumni Hall for years to come.

In a Zoom meeting last week with faculty and staff, Dr. Thompson noted the Chick-fil-A restaurant took two years to happen. He’s thrilled to see a Chick-fil-A nearing the construction finish line. When completed for the first week of classes, it provides “a remarkable new place” for the MC family to gather, he said. The president’s enthusiasm has spilled over to all MC stakeholders.

Mississippi College junior Macia N. Outlaw is “ecstatic” to see the new eatery opening soon.

“Having a new Chick-fil-A on campus brings that sense of home and comfort,” says Outlaw, 20, a Brandon resident. “My family and friends are regular customers at Flowood’s Chick-fil-A.”

Her favorite items on the menu include a four-count chicken mini-biscuit with a small iced coffee. Just thinking about a Chick-fil-A on campus may give her an extra jolt of energy to wake up early and grab lunch there hours later.

Going to Chick-fil-A also gives Macia a break from her studies. A biological sciences major, Outlaw is a future Mississippi physician.

An MC senior from Corner, Alabama, Kyle Hamrick is fired up about Chick-fil-A’s arrival.

“My Mondays will be my busiest days,” says Hamrick, a history major and editor of “The Mississippi Collegian.” He appreciates “being able to swing into Alumni Hall and grab a good lunch on the fly.”

Jill Dickerson’s go-to-order at Chick-fil-A is the grilled chicken sandwich. “It will be nice to get out of class at lunchtime and be able to walk 20 feet to grab some CFA with all my friends,” says the public relations major from Memphis.

Pressing for a Chick-fil-A since taking office, “Dr. Thompson is fulfilling the dreams of MC students everywhere,” Dickerson said.

“Collegian” news editor Austin LaBrot is a Chick-fil-A lover with a sweet tooth. “I can’t wait for the late-night cookies and cream milkshakes,” says the MC senior from Illinois.

Having Chick-fil-A on campus as well as an Einstein Bros. Bagels this fall gives Mississippi College recruiters one more positive thing to connect with prospective students.

Peach Milkshakes, Mango Passion Tea Lemonade, and ice cream cones may be hard to resist for customers of all ages at MC.

The first Chick-fil-A opened in an Atlanta mall in 1967. Founder S. Truett Cathy began the restaurant chain based on Christian business principles that are just as strong today. There are more than 2,300 Chick-fil-A locations in 47 states. President Thompson says the new Chick-fil-A at Mississippi College “will fit our culture perfectly.”