KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Chick-fil-A Supply, a subsidiary of Chick-fil-A Inc., is opening a new distribution center which will create an estimated 112 new jobs in Rowan County, Gov. Roy Cooper announced Tuesday.
“If I could eat Chick-fil-A every day, I would,” a Chick-fil-A customer in Kannapolis said after leaving the restaurant.
Chick-fil-A Supply is investing $58.3 million to open a new distribution center at the site of the former Kannapolis Intimidators baseball team off Lane Street.
“Chick-fil-A’s expansion is good for Kannapolis along with Rowan and surrounding counties,” Cooper said. “We appreciate their vote of confidence in North Carolina and the strength of our workforce and infrastructure.”
Chick-fil-A Supply ensures restaurants have the food and products they need. The new distribution center will be 120,000 square feet and serve around 100 restaurants in Charlotte.
Kannapolis City Manager Mike Legg calls the announcement a win for the region.
“They will be a great business citizen of our community for sure,” Legg said.
New positions include drivers, managers, office staff, and warehouse personnel. The average annual wage is around $58,574, about $8,000 more than the Rowan County average.
“Well, that is great for the community, especially with new jobs and stuff,” a customer said. “So, thumbs up to Chick-fil-A for doing that.”
Officials said the company plans to open the facility in the third quarter of 2024. Chick-fil-A Supply operates four distribution centers, including a 180,000-square-foot center in Mebane.
“We have been waiting years for growth like this to come our way,” the VP of Rowan EDC Scott Shelton said.
On top of infrastructure improvements and job growth, Shelton says that Chick-fil-A’s expansion in Kannapolis will also encourage other corporations to expand there.
“I think companies are no longer seeing Rowan County as on the far on the edge of the Charlotte region, Shelton explained. “It is somewhere they can get to and draw upon a strong labor force and also get their products out quickly.”
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Additionally, Shelton says completing the I-85 widening project is a major factor in the area becoming more attractive for growth.
“North Carolina has the fourth largest food and beverage industry in the United States and is within a day’s drive of 150 million customers,” N.C. Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders said. “When well-known companies like Chick-fil-A reinvest in North Carolina, it affirms our reputation as the best state to do business.”
Officials said the company plans to open the facility in the third quarter of 2024.
