Panda express and Chick-Fil-A?

I am pretty happy with the Chick-fil-A addition to CP.

When I visited Carowinds 2 years ago, it was the only hoppin eating place in the whole park. Actually the day I was there, I am pretty sure Chick-Fil-A had more people in it's line then did most of the rides.

Only bad thing about this addition is during Halloweekends, the place will only be open roughly half the time, since it doesn't open on Sunday. Seems kind of dumb, but I definately respect their system of giving their employees Sunday off.

Is that a franchise requirement?

This will be a CP owned and operated franchise that would, barring rules in the franchise agreement, have the hours set by CP management. And there is nothing that says CP wouldn't negotiate a modified franchise agreement to remove any "Closed on Sunday" clause.

I'm not against the not working on Sunday, I just don't think it'll operate that way at CP.

That's why I asked earlier if the Chick-Fil-A location at Carowinds is open on Sunday. I've NEVER seen a Chick-Fil-A open on a Sunday before. I think they're pretty strict about that.

http://www.chickfila.com/Closed.asp

And, like I said earlier, we don't know if this is a CP owned and operated franchise or not. Since Panda Express doesn't HAVE franchises, we know that's not CP owned and operated. (Unless its the first.)

EDIT: By the way, its refreshing to see a company put their beliefs first and not cave to convention just because everyone else does. Obviously its not hurting their profits either since they had almost $2 billion in profit in 2005. *** Edited 3/29/2007 3:08:01 PM UTC by halltd***

Information about what's coming up on the new blog entry. Chick-Fil-A will be closed on Sundays.

*** Edited 3/29/2007 3:08:13 PM UTC by Walt***

Interesting on how CP getting a chinese restaurant. Seems out of place in Frontier Trail. It's great that there will be some kind of different food @ CP.

Actually, Chinese food is a good idea for an amusement park. Corn Dogs and pretzels and other park food keep you full for too long.

This way, you can eat and be hungry again before you hit the vending machines in the Millennium queue.

Chick-Fil-A doesn't do franchise's the normal way either. They own the stores & train & appoint a manager that has paid for their own training. I think that person may get a cut of profits, but it is not "their" store. But they can remove the person if they don't like the results.

I don't like the idea of chains overall, but the food has not been good at the park. My wish would be make the food better (quality & taste) of their own restaurants.

They're taking out two restaurants that never seemed very appetizing to me and replacing them with places that I, for one, actually will consider eating at.

Sure, I'd rather have it that every eatery is park-specific place rather than a chain, but such is the world now. It economically makes sense for CP since people will recognize the brand names and eat at them. And these two are, as some have mentioned, are a bit higher class than Burger King or McDonalds, so it's not the end of the world, it's just a sign of the times.

Unless I was told wrong, I believe Chick-Fil-A is going into the Chuckwagon Inn. (It pays to know people in high places) I think this is a good thing also because the business in the 'Wagon would be busy for lunch, then just die around dinner time. apparently no one liked bbq'd 1/2 chickens with home fixings and a place to sit (inside mind you) and eat. It's eird what people do and don't do at CP, right? I haven't heard anything about Panda Express, so if/when I do, I'll let you know. Also, I hear that they will be staffing the place too. Probably kinda similar to JR's in that they only work there. They'll more than likely have to still have the CP id badge to even get into the park to work.

Its going in Frontier Inn...right in front of Maverick.

If we are going to bash the "chain" restaurants coming in to CP, don't we also have to bash CP, as it is part of a "chain " of amusement parks? If you read the other boards (i.e. Coasterbuzz), one of the frequent complaints is how Cedar Fair has come in to their new acquisitions and stripped them of their own uniqueness, Dorney, etc. to make them scaled down versions of CP.

Just playing devil's advocate. I don't care one way or the other as to what restaurants CP decides to put in its own park.

^^

(It pays to be able to read) ;)

*** Edited 3/29/2007 3:57:28 PM UTC by Loopy***

Not everyone has time to actually read before posting. LL taught me that.

OK, I give, who's LL?

Whoever they may be steered you in the wrong direction. How can you post about something without informing yourself first? Really, it just makes you look pretty uneducated and lazy.

TrnsprtRefSup2005 said:
Unless I was told wrong, I believe Chick-Fil-A is going into the Chuckwagon Inn. (It pays to know people in high places)

it also pays to read the cedar point blog

At the former Frontier Inn, next to Maverick’s exit, you’ll find Chick-fil-A®. The menu features chicken sandwiches, wraps, waffle fries and more. You should know right up front that we both are addicted to the waffle fries. You’ll find us there practically every day. Chick-fil-A® will be closed on Sundays.

Loop, I'm not sure what you were getting at, but glwwk answered it for me.

TrnsprtRefSup said Chuckwagon Inn....the blog specifically stated it's going into the Frontier Inn. That's what I was saying.

You can find LL's posts from last summer. Josh and DJ know who it was. She's gone though now. She didn't like that we used common sense as opposed to spaced out reasoning.

Maybe I wasn't spending enough time on the threads at the time, but was there this much fuss when Fridays, Johnny Rockets, Starbucks, Dippin Dots, Pizza Hut, or Famous Daves came to CP?

I can understand that people wish parks kept their "home-grown" feel, but CP is still an entity that is trying to maximize profits. If they believe that putting two fast food chains in the park will increase revenue, and increase guest satisfaction I don't see why they wouldn't do it. I know that I personally would enjoy a Chick-Fil-A sandwich more than some of the park food I have had at the walk up food locations at CP. And how many times did you see Frontier Inn with a substantial line?

Again, I understand the principle behind avoiding chains, but when the CF execs see the lines at the Frontier-Fil-A and the Dastardly Danda Express this summer, as compared to the lines formed by their former eateries, I don't think they will be regretting their decision one bit.

^ - no because Tim wasn't around when those were added.

I think you guys have to "get real". Ask yourself this, will people go to Panda Express and Chick-fil-a to eat? The answer is yes. Cedar Point isn't a theme park. They want to make an unpopular quick service location into a recognizable chain people are sure to go to.

I am real on the topic. And let me clarify; I am not saying that "Panda Express" or tacos or whatever variety of food has no place at CP.

And I understand that CP is not a theme park.

BUT.

The Frontier Trail/Town is the only "themed" area of the park, so how hard would it be to put in a quick-food, quick-service food item that is SOMEHOW related to the Old West? Not too hard. Why even call it the "Frontier Trail" or "Frontier Town" then? Why not just throw out the whole concept?

My point is, for the love of god (insert voice of the late C. Farley), if you have a theme going, just frickin make a slight attempt to keep it up.

Panda Express may indeed have a place a the Point. It does not, however, have any business being placed on the Frontier Trail or in Frontier Town. Neither do Tacos. I guess that's becoming too much to expect at CP, though.

I think panda express would have been an execelent addition next to the pagoda give shop.

On chick-fil-a, I'm suprised CP went for a resturant that was closed on Sundays. Especially when it is right next to the new coaster and that is one of their busier days.