New Philadelphia's first Chick-fil-A restaurant opens on March 12 at 140 Bluebell Drive SW, owned and operated by local leader Brady Rust. The event includes a community promotion and a significant donation to a regional food bank. Rust highlighted the welcoming spirit of the Tuscarawas County community during a pre-opening ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The new Chick-fil-A in New Philadelphia, Ohio, is set to open at 6 a.m. on March 12, 2026, marking the city's first location for the quick-service chain. Situated at 140 Bluebell Drive SW, the 4,642-square-foot freestanding building will feature 85 indoor seats, 16 outdoor seats, and parking for 54 vehicles. It includes a play space for children and operates from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, with the drive-thru extending until 10 p.m. Services offered encompass dine-in, drive-thru, carry-out, third-party delivery, catering, and Mobile Thru.
Local owner-operator Brady Rust, who began his career with Chick-fil-A in 2018 as a team member in Derby, Kansas, expressed enthusiasm for the project. During a ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 11, attended by Tuscarawas County dignitaries and community leaders, Rust shared his journey through the company's leadership development program. "I’m extremely humble to be here," he said. "First and foremost, I just want to say all glory goes to God. This is a dream come true for me to be here with my family, friends and all you guys." He added, "There’s something special about this community. There’s something special about the people. There’s something special about the whole county."
In a community announcement, Rust noted, "There’s something special about New Philadelphia, and we’re incredibly honored to bring the first Chick-fil-A to this community. From the warm welcome we’ve already received, it’s clear how much pride people take in supporting one another. Our team is excited to become a part of that story by serving this city with care and consistency and creating a place where everyone feels truly welcome."
The restaurant employs more than 120 people and participates in the Chick-fil-A Shared Table program, which redirects surplus food to local nonprofits. To mark the opening, Chick-fil-A donated $25,000 to the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, a Feeding America partner. A Moove-In Party on opening day invites visitors dressed in cow spots to redeem a free entrée or kid’s meal.
The project, announced by Mayor Joel Day in November 2024, involves a $5 million investment: $1.5 million to purchase and demolish the former Travelodge site, and $3.5 million for construction. City council approved a 50% Community Reinvestment Area tax abatement for five years.