First Chick-fil-A in Albany opens on Thursday

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A new Chick-fil-A is coming to the Capital Region with the first one in Albany opening on Thursday. The restaurant will be at 944 Central Avenue with dine-in, carryout, and drive-thru options from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Chick-fil-A confirmed with NEWS10 back in June that the new restaurant was being constructed at the former Armory Garage site. The Chick-fil-A plans were presented to the Albany Planning Board in the fall of 2023.

Michael Gray was selected to be the independent franchised local owner-operator of this Chick-fil-A location. He will be responsible for the day-to-day business activities, including employing about 120 full and part-time employees.

The plans said the Chick-fil-A building would be about 5,200 square feet and have two drive-thru lanes and an outdoor patio with seating. It’ll have about 98 parking spaces and cost around $750,000 to build.

In the Capital Region, Chick-fil-A has locations in Clifton Park, North Greenbush, and the Albany International Airport. Another location was proposed for Latham in 2021 but has not gone forward yet.

“I feel incredibly humbled and grateful to be opening the first Chick-fil-A in Albany,” Gray said. “Early in my career, I realized my passion for introducing new communities to Chick-fil-A and bringing our signature hospitality to new neighborhoods. I couldn’t have dreamed of this adventure, but I feel very fortunate that my journey with Chick-fil-A has brought me and my family to the Empire State. For the community that has welcomed us so warmly, I hope to make my restaurant the most caring restaurant in the Capital Region, with our delicious food, unique career opportunities and culture of care!”