Second Chick-fil-A Location Breaks Ground in Rochester, Minnesota

In 1967, S. Truett Cathy opened the first Chick-fil-A restaurant in the food court of Atlanta's Greenbriar Shopping Center. Their tasty chicken sandwich was an instant hit. The chain expanded quickly, popping up in mall food courts throughout the '70s and early '80s.

Then, in 1986, the first stand-alone Chick-fil-A restaurant opened. At that time, the company shifted its focus away from malls. Today, there are more than 3,000 Chick-fil-A locations including 27 in Minnesota.

When Did Chick-fil-A First Open in Rochester, MN?

Chick-fil-A celebrated the grand opening of its first Rochester, Minnesota, location, nicknamed the "Ear of Corn" restaurant, seven years ago with a special promotion that brought out a huge crowd hungry for free food. The first 100 people in line that day scored a year’s worth of free Chick-fil-A meals. It was busy that day, and it’s been packed pretty much every day since.

ALSO READ: DAVE'S HOT CHICKEN IS OPENING IN ROCHESTER, MN

Chick-fil-A Is America's Favorite Fast Food Chain

According to Eat This, Not That!, the Atlanta-based chain has held the title of #1 fast food chain in America for nine years straight, thanks to the quality of its food and top-notch customer service. (Their breakfast minis are my favorite.)

Where Will Rochester MN's Second Chick-fil-A Be Located?

It won’t be long before a second Chick-fil-A opens in Rochester. Back in September, we reported that plans were filed to build a new location where Wild Bill’s Sports Saloon used to be off of Hwy 52.

Those plans are moving forward, crews officially broke ground on Wednesday morning.