Excitement is sizzling in our town as Chick-fil-A officially opens its doors, offering our community a new spot to enjoy their signature chicken sandwiches and famous hospitality. The grand opening has drawn in large crowds, with many locals eager to experience the brand’s well renowned menu and outstanding service. The arrival of this popular chain in our growing Mont Belvieu town has sparked plenty of conversations, as locals line up to see what the excitement is all about. However, as individuals gear up for the latest fast food frenzy, it is clear that this opening means much more than just a new place to grab lunch.
The new Chick-fil-A has offered many students jobs, granting them valuable work experience while serving the community their meals.
“Working here has been great! I see a lot of people I know not only coming in but people I know have also been able to get jobs here and it has made work very fun,” said senior Joe Beharry. “I feel as if this Chick-fil-A has already impacted the community by giving people a place to come and hang out, some more job opportunities, and of course, a good place to come and eat. Over time, however, we will start to have Chick-fil-A events like bingo night, father daughter/mother son nights, and even seasonal things like Halloween and Christmas events,” explained senior Joe Beharry. “I am excited to see what becomes of this new Chick-fil-A!”
Not only do the Chick-fil-A staff seem to be excited about its new establishment, but locals are too! It seems as though Chick-fil-A not only has a set plan to satisfy our food cravings, but also fulfill the need within our community of building closer bonds and relationships through local events with family and dear neighbors.
Now while this new Chick-fil-A provides good food and opportunities to grow and connect, it simultaneously provides a new sense of home for locals to enjoy their meals.
“If I could use one word to describe working at the new Chick-fil-A, it would be welcoming. From both a worker and guest standpoint, this Chick-fil-A makes you feel comfortable and happy. My managers and fellow co-workers made me feel instantly at home when I first started working,” senior Joshua Patterson said. “We also do an excellent job of going above and beyond for our guests by prioritizing polite language, personal connection, and assuring that we always have a positive attitude. I believe that this new Chick-fil-A will greatly improve our community and stand as a reminder of the tradition of excellence Barbers Hill values.”
The fact that the new Chick-fil-A established on Eagle Drive is bound to serve as a hearty reminder of the strong BH values that have remained for decades is really a true testament to our community’s foundation of dedication and unity!
With organizations such as Chick-fil-A embodying our school’s core values, our school spirit ought to grow for the betterment of students and their families as we all are able to come together to share a commonly favorite cherished meal in a setting that feels like home to all.
Senior Skyler Kelly reinforces this claim of the cherished environment Chick-fil-A offers as she describes the embracing atmosphere of the delicious restaurant.
“Working at the new Chick-fil-A has been an amazing experience, management is very accommodating and our staff works great together! I definitely see Chick-fil-A bringing friends and family together in a safe, attentive, and welcoming environment!”
Chick-fil-A, however, also embraces a diverse community among not only its customers but its staff as well as they preserve a lively positive ambiance in the midst of a busy atmosphere.
“Chick-fil-A is so good! Our managers provide in-depth helpful leadership. Diversity is shown greatly with people from Colombia, Venezuela, El Salvador and Mexico all working in the kitchen,” senior and kitchen worker, Jacob Pitts, said. “The atmosphere is also great as during slow times, we sing and dance. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with such great people. Shout out to Don Luis and Jhordi!”
Not only are the Chick-Fil-A staff eager to see the business boom and build a stronger community bond, but so is the franchise’s operator, Edmond Long.
“I am so excited about having a business in Mont Belvieu,” Long said. “I am especially excited that it is a place where students can come and work for us. I have enjoyed sitting in the dining room every afternoon and seeing the flow of students come in starting around three o’ clock. I have been so impressed at how polite all of the students have been. Sometimes it gets a bit loud, but it seems like everyone is having fun – and everyone cleans up after themselves, which is so great! We were nervous about staying open late on home game nights, but Barbers Hill students have shown up and have made it so much fun.”
It appears as though the values of integrity and respect that are instilled in our school district transcend our school walls as even local businesses are being positively impacted by our students’ character! As the old saying goes, at the end of the day, it is about the person you are, not the things you have achieved that truly matter in life. This new Chick-Fil-A in our BH community embodies this truth perfectly!
Edmond Long however, has not always lived in our beloved Mont Belvieu community, portraying how anyone, regardless of their background, possesses the great potential of positively impacting their community and society as a whole.
“Before joining Chick-fil-A, I spent a long time in the Marine Corps. My wife and I wanted to find a place where our kids could go to a great school and we could be part of a growing community. When we moved to Mont Belvieu, we knew that a Chick-fil-A would be built on Eagle Drive at some point. So we worked very hard at our other store, Chambers Town Center, for the past few years to be ready when the opportunity arrived. This store really represents so many years of dreaming and hard work,” Long said.
It is often easy to overlook the history of a new restaurant when it is so popular, but it is important to consider the hard work and dedication it takes to bring something new and working to a growing community. This ought to foster further appreciation for the restaurant and staff that help by serving others daily!
While it is always important to be considerate and appreciative of others, it is just as important to look ahead to the future ahead with clear goals and aspirations.
“My hope is that Chick-fil-A at Barbers Hill is a place where meals are shared and relationships strengthened,” Long said. “Besides providing an opportunity to have delicious food we also provide an opportunity to grow as a leader within our organization. Our purpose is to have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A. So I guess you could say that I hope we have a positive impact on the community!”
In the end, the new Chick-fil-A in town is more than just a place to grab a meal – it’s a symbol of growth, connection, and unity for Mont Belvieu. As our community continues to expanse, the addition of establishments like Chick-fil-A brings opportunities not only for dining, but also for fostering relationships and supporting local development. With each visit, residents and visitors alike can experience a welcoming environment that serves as a gathering place for all generations, making Mont Belvieu a thriving, enjoyable place to live, visit, and savor moments together.
