Rare drive-thru-only Chick-fil-A opens in Pasco, will hire 100

For those with a New Year's resolution to "eat mor chikin" as the spokes-cows have long suggested, there is a new opportunity to do so via a new Chick-fil-A that just opened in Lutz. 

Ricardo Sanchez, who has owned and operated Chick-fil-A restaurants in Texas and Florida since 1996, opened the latest franchise at 17911 N. Dale Mabry Highway this week with an interesting twist: It offers three drive-thru lanes and carry-out, but no dine-in services.

One of the three lanes is dedicated to "mobile-thru," exclusively for customers using the mobile app for expedited service. 

Although the first Chick-fil-A restaurant with drive-thru only opened in 1993, the brand is continuing to test the concept for speed and efficiency. In August, a four lane drive thru concept with a larger kitchen and a conveyor belt for food inside opened in the metro Atlanta area, according to a release.

“This is a dream come true for me,” says Sanchez in a statement. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to connect with the Lutz community that I’ve proudly watched grow over the years. Our team is looking forward to bringing the same care, quality food and hospitality to our new guests at Chick-fil-A Lutz.” 

The new store will provide 111 jobs in the area.

Chick-fil-A was founded in Atlanta in 1967 by Truett Cathy and has over 3,000 locations, with plans to expand to Europe and Asia by 2030.