Chick-fil-A opens a new location in Pullman on April 17, led by local owner Elise Mills (Photo Provided).
A new Chick-fil-A is set to open its doors in the Pullman neighborhood on April 17, bringing with it 100 jobs, a local owner with deep roots in the company, and a fresh wave of investment to Chicago’s South Side.
The restaurant, located at 11131 S. Corliss Ave., is part of a larger expansion plan that includes 15 new locations across the Chicagoland area by 2027. The goal: create an estimated 1,500 jobs and drive more commercial development into neighborhoods that need it.
The Pullman location will be led by Elise Mills, a Chicago resident and Chick-fil-A veteran who started as a Team Member 14 years ago. Mills rose through the ranks after participating in the company’s Leadership Development Program, supporting new openings across the country before returning home to run her own franchise.
“Chick-fil-A has shaped my personal and professional growth, and I am honored to introduce our signature hospitality and delicious food to the Pullman community,” said Mills. “In my journey from Team Member to local Owner-Operator, I have personally been able to change lives through the medium of food and I look forward to bringing that positive impact to our neighborhood.”
The new 5,100-square-foot location will offer dine-in, carry-out, drive-thru, catering pick-up, delivery and Mobile Thru. It will seat 72 guests inside and another 24 on a patio, with amenities including an indoor play area for families, bike racks, and electric vehicle charging stations.
Interior of Chick-fil-A in Pullman (Photo Provided).
Community Programs and Local Partnerships
Chick-fil-A Pullman is launching with several community-focused initiatives, consistent with the company’s broader efforts across the Chicagoland area:
- Job Creation and Training: The restaurant is hiring 100 team members, with opportunities for hands-on training, scholarships, competitive pay, and flexible work schedules. Owner-Operator Elise Mills partnered with the Hope Center Foundation’s Workforce Development Program to support local hiring.
- Scholarship Support: Since 2010, Chick-fil-A has awarded approximately $3.1 million in scholarships to team members across the Chicago area through its Remarkable Futures™ Scholarships initiative.
- Hunger Relief Contributions: Chick-fil-A, Inc. donated $25,000 to Feeding America to support the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Since 2020, the company has contributed over $550,000 to food banks in the region.
- Food Donation Program: The Pullman location will participate in the Chick-fil-A Shared Table® program, which redirects unused food to local shelters, food banks, and nonprofits. To date, more than 565,000 meals have been distributed through this program in Chicagoland.
- Local Recognition Effort: As part of its opening, Chick-fil-A Pullman plans to provide free entrées for a year to 100 individuals identified as community heroes.
A Boost for Pullman Gateway
The new Chick-fil-A is also the first business to open in Pullman Gateway, a new 8-acre commercial development built in partnership with the Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives (CNI) and the Hope Center Foundation.
“The ongoing revitalization of the Pullman and Roseland communities is energizing,” said 9th Ward Alderman Anthony A. Beale. “The opening of Chick-fil-A Pullman serves as an exciting milestone for future growth and job creation in Pullman Gateway.”
David Doig, President of CNI, and Reverend James Meeks, CEO of the Hope Foundation, said in a joint statement, “We are thrilled to welcome Chick-fil-A to Pullman Gateway… We look forward to the continued retail resurgence and new developments ahead.”
For updates on Chick-fil-A Pullman, visit the local restaurant’s Facebook and Instagram pages. For more information about Chick-fil-A’s nationwide impact, visit chick-fil-a.com.