Business & Tech

Chick-fil-A Coming to Rec Center

City leaders gave Chick-fil-A approval to operate the concession stand this summer.

It looks like folks will be able to buy Chick-fil-A dishes from the concession stand at the New Port Richey Recreation and Aquatic Center this summer.  

City Council members approved a proposal Tuesday from a local Chick-Fil-A restaurant owner to set up shop in the Rec Center.

The proposal is for Chick-fil-A to sell its food out of the center concession from around the time Pasco County Schools let out in May until the beginning of August, when the normal school year resumes. The plan is for food to be prepared elsewhere and then delivered to the stand.

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The city will get 10 percent of the net profits from the stand’s sales. The Chick-fil-A will also help with raising funds for local youth nonprofit organizations. 

Outside food, drinks and coolers won’t be permitted at the rec center under the deal, except on Sunday.  Like other Chick-fil-A locations, the stand will be closed on Sunday.  Birthday parties and private parties with outside food will still be permitted.

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The deal was proposed by Alex Clark, owner of the Chick-fil-A in the Gulf View Square Mall in Port Richey.

City officials have been looking for someone who wants to rent the concession stand at the recreation center. The center has trouble making revenues meet expenses.

Elaine Smith, parks and recreation director, said the city has issued four requests for proposals over the past several years with little or no response.  Swim team members have staffed the concession stand in the past, but they were not interested in doing so this coming summer.

Clark was not at Tuesday’s meeting, and Chick-fil-A did not return a call for comment.

The proposal is just for Chick-fil-A to use the concession stand this summer, Smith said. 

“I think (Clark) wants to see how it’s going to go,” Smith said.

City Councilwoman Judy DeBella Thomas said that she is happy to be doing business with Clark.

“I’m pleased that it’s a quality product,” she said.


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