When will the Middletown Chick-fil-A reopen and what renovations are being done?

Ben Mace, Delaware News Journal
Updated ·2 min read

It wasn’t an April Fool’s joke when the Middletown Chick-fil-A announced a temporary closure on its Facebook page starting April 1.

Customers expressed sadness in their Facebook comments.

“We are going to miss you all,” Carol Austin-Hutchison said.

Melissa Carnell posted: “We miss you already and it has been 1 day” —with three crying emojis.

On May 15, the canopy over the drive-thru isn't finished during renovations at the Middletown Chick-fil-A restaurant at 701 S. Ridge Ave., near Middletown-Warwick Road.
On May 15, the canopy over the drive-thru isn't finished during renovations at the Middletown Chick-fil-A restaurant at 701 S. Ridge Ave., near Middletown-Warwick Road.

Other customers were pleased to hear about the renovation plans.

The restaurant’s Facebook post promised a revamped drive-through with an exclusive lane for mobile app orders and “improved facilities" at 701 S. Ridge Ave., near Middletown-Warwick Road.

“Yes! I have been waiting for a mobile only lane,” Anne Marie posted.

More restaurant news: New Delaware restaurants offer BYOB social club, dumplings, smoked cocktails and hot chicken, more

Calls to the restaurant were answered by a recorded message stating the closure would take approximately six weeks.

As time passed, customers started to get restless.

“PLEASE let us know when you will reopen,” said Bill Master on the restaurant’s Facebook page. He wasn’t alone.

Subsequent Facebook posts by the restaurant have announced times for job interviews, but without word on a reopening date.

Then, on Friday morning, the big announcement was made.

Bill Combs, Chick-fil-A Middletown operations director, told Delaware Online/The News Journal that the restaurant is tentatively scheduled to reopen Tuesday, May 21.

Any change to that plan will be posted on the restaurant’s Facebook page.

On May 17, the finishing touches are being made on the canopy over the drive-thru at the Middletown Chick-fil-A restaurant.
On May 17, the finishing touches are being made on the canopy over the drive-thru at the Middletown Chick-fil-A restaurant.

What renovations are being made?

Combs said the changes were mainly to the drive-thru area including a larger canopy over the pickup area, more space and equipment inside and a drive-thru door to replace the former window for easier access for the restaurant’s team members.

The main entrance to the parking lot at the Middletown Chick-fil-A restaurant has been closed with cones and chain-link fencing, pictured here May 15.
The main entrance to the parking lot at the Middletown Chick-fil-A restaurant has been closed with cones and chain-link fencing, pictured here May 15.

However, the biggest change is adding a third drive-thru lane exclusively for customers who order ahead on the mobile app. These customers will be able to drive up, scan a QR code and proceed to the pickup area.

More Middletown-area news: Bayberry Town Center finally starts development north of Middletown

Inside the restaurant, some changes have been made to the décor, including “a large Coke bottle chandelier over the farmhouse table and a beautiful knotted pine accent wall,” Combs said.

But families with young children will be glad to hear that the play area remains.

Reporter Ben Mace covers real estate, development and business stories. Reach him at rmace@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Middletown Chick-fil-A to reopen after renovations on drive-thru