Florida-based Chick-fil-A Units Serve Concrete Along with Chicken and Waffle Fries

Recently, several Florida Chick-fil-A projects have been designed with concrete parking lots, reports NRMCA Senior Director, National Resources Amy Miller. The fast-food chain opened an outlet on June 13 in Lake City that featured a large concrete parking area, she said. Interplan, LLC, was the civil engineering firm that designed the project. The concrete thickness is 6" throughout the entire site and was kept consistent because the restaurant is so close to I-75 (there was concern about the amount of highway traffic on this oversized parking lot, Miller said.)

Other factors also contributed to the decision to use concrete. "The site contained numerous underground storm chambers and a high water table. We felt it would be best to go with an all concrete parking lot to help protect the chambers," said Interplan Senior Project Manager Rick Krietemeyer. Interplan also included reference to the American Concrete Institute Specification 330.1-94 as well as ACI 330R-08 Guide to Design and Construction of Concrete Parking Lots in its concrete notes and specifications.

"Not that Chick-fil-A needs help drawing patrons, but this parking lot stands out on US Highway 90, especially among the asphalt parking lots surrounding it. The reflectivity of the concrete at night made this establishment a beacon, " said Miller who visited the site a few days after its grand opening.

For more information, contact Amy Miller at amiller@nrmca.org.