More to Chick-Fil-A than chicken

In March 2012 Sioux City’s first freestanding Chick-Fil-A opened with Eisenga, an eight-year veteran with the company, serving as owner/operator for the restaurant.

Previously, Eisenga was the owner/operator for Chick-Fil-A restaurant in Southern Hills Mall. He applied with the company for the opportunity to run the new restaurant at 4428 Sergeant Road.

“It’s just a great company that puts a lot of bearing on the people side of the business and the relationships,” he said. “It’s a great company to work for, great family feel to it. It’s a well-run business and a great strong brand to be a part of.”

Changing from a food court operation to a freestanding building, Eisenga said, offers several challenges, but from the start he was up to the task.

“When we opened it was a challenge to find people who could come into the restaurant and getting a team to where they were functioning on par with the regular operations of the business,” he said. “It was a great process and all things considered, it was a great experience.”

The restaurant created about 80 new jobs, Eisenga said.

Challenges posed by the restaurant’s opening may have been daunting, but they were overshadowed by the benefits and opportunities afforded by an independent building.

“We have a full breakfast menu. We open at 6:30 and serve breakfast until 10:30,” Eisenga said. “There’s also the drive-through, which a typical freestanding restaurant has. We do about 55 to 60 percent of business through the window. It’s a convenience aspect.”

That added convenience has attracted more and more customers.

“We have more sales through the window and more business,” Eisenga said. “And we have more space to welcome our guests and more exposure in the community with the big beautiful building outside.”

That community exposure reaches beyond fast food, however. Eisenga said the restaurant regularly holds fundraising events.

“We partner with some of the local schools and call them Spirit Nights, and we give back a portion of the sales for the evening,” he said. “A lot of times it’s driven by PTA groups. We’ve done a lot of different things.”

Recently, Eisenga recalled a Spirit Night for a student at Morningside College who is a cancer survivor.

“All of the proceeds went to the American Cancer Association,” he said.

The community reaction to the new Chick-Fil-A has been overwhelmingly positive, Eisenga said. And although there are many other restaurants moving into Lakeport Commons, he welcomes the competition the varied dining choices offered to Siouxlanders.

“I think it really speaks to this being the major retail hub of Sioux City, the growth in Sioux City, economically,” he said. “It’s a great option for people to stay in Sioux City. The expansion of Lakeport Commons has been a great addition and draws more people into town. It’s great to have competitions and options for the people in town.”

Eisenga said he has no personal short-term plans for expansion but the fast food chain is opening up express and freestanding locations all over the Midwest.

“Really, Chick-Fil-A is the main driver to when and where they open new restaurants,” he said. “And during that process is when they’d look at who they’d want to partner with in terms of local owners and operators.”