"Happy Birthday Babe ... this one hits different!" was a part of Coach Gessie Thompson's, founder of TheDetoxNow.com, Instagram post that celebrated her husband this week. According to Gessie, this birthday was different because he's now the proud owner of the first Black-owned Chick-Fil-A drive-thru in New York City!
Locally-owned and operated, Marc Thompson Jr. continues to uphold Chick-Fil-A's mission of being a part of customers' lives and the communities in which they serve. A lifelong resident of Queens, the opportunity to serve the Rosedale community is something he looks forward to. "It's grand opening day, baby. How do you feel?" his wife asked in his celebration post. "Excited, privileged, and grateful" were the words he used to describe the historic feat.
With a promise to "make us proud" and serve his community, Coach Gessie praises him for creating almost 100 jobs in the community he grew up in.
“Having lived my entire life in the area, I am so honored to be the Operator of Chick-fil-A Five Towns and to continue to be a part of a community that means so much to me,” said Thompson Jr. in the official press release. “The opportunity to create jobs that will help shape our Team Members’ trajectories excites me beyond words, and I look forward to elevating the guest experience through service and leadership for all who come to our restaurant.”
Gessie supporting her husband Marc is a true example of one of Chick-Fil-A's core values, which states, "We are better together." As a plant-based health coach, Mrs. Thompson showed her support for the restaurant that specializes in chicken sandwiches via a fruit cup and hashbrowns. "I have witnessed this man give his all and his last for those he loves...so my heart was full of joy being a supportive wife and life partner and rooting for him all the way," she shared in her Instagram caption.
In honor of the opening, Chick-fil-A, Inc. will donate $25,000 to Feeding America on behalf of the new restaurant, and the funds will be distributed to partners in the greater New York area to aid in the fight against hunger. According to City Harvest, visits to New York City food pantries and soup kitchens are up 69% in 2022 compared to 2019 and up 14% since January 2022. Although food insecurity continues to increase as we face both a pandemic and inflation, it is not new to marginalized communities. 1 in 4 children of color are experiencing hunger, which is a 46% increase since pre-pandemic. Chick-Fil-A Five Towns is committed to caring for the community by feeding New York City, and that won't stop at the $25K donation!
Thompson Jr.’s restaurant is also planning to participate in the Chick-fil-A Shared Table Program, an initiative that redirects surplus food to local soup kitchens, shelters, food banks and nonprofits. Instead of throwing food away like most chains, Chick-fil-A Five Towns will donate theirs to a local community partner. Lastly, it will also recognize 100 local heroes making an impact in the Rosedale area and provide them with free Chick-fil-A meals for a year.
Marc Thompson is a former Fortune 10 Executive; his background includes over three decades of corporate finance leadership across a variety of industries, including media, professional sports and financial services. As Operator of Chick-Fil-A Five Towns, he'll be able to utilize his leadership, management and team building skills in his new role, making the first Black-owned Chick-Fil-A drive-thru an incredible one!
To join us in supporting Marc, visit the location at 24923 Rockaway Boulevard in Rosedale, NY. Chick-fil-A Five Towns is open for drive-thru and carry-out service from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
Photos courtesy of Instagram/@coachgessie and @cfa5towns