Chick-fil-A operator says Cerritos aided permits as store undergoes remodel

A Chick-fil-A operator said the Cerritos restaurant is in the midst of a remodel and praised the city for helping the restaurant secure required permits and approvals.

"We're also in the midst of a remodel, and so the city has been fantastic in helping us out," the Chick-fil-A operator said, adding that the city helped with "getting all the permits that we need." The operator characterized the city as "a really good partner to do business with."

The operator placed the local location in company history, saying the brand traces to Truett Cathy, who opened a small diner called the Dwarf Grill in 1946 and later opened the first Chick-fil-A in 1967 at the Greenbriar Mall in Atlanta. The speaker said the Cerritos site was the chain's first mall location in Southern California and described a gradual move from mall outlets to freestanding restaurants beginning in later decades, with local freestanding conversions occurring around 2007.

The operator emphasized that many Chick-fil-A restaurants are "individually owned and operated," and said local operators often live in the communities they serve, which the speaker said strengthens community partnerships and allows each location to tailor its operations to local needs. "I think that's huge when it goes to community partnerships," the operator said.

The operator closed by highlighting the company's focus on customer service and hospitality: "Our customer service goes above and beyond, and we wanna make sure that every guest is taken care of."

The transcript records these remarks but does not include any formal city action, a vote, or specific timelines for the remodel's completion.