Owner continues family business legacy
by Jerry Grillo
White County News
For local loyalists of Chick-fil-A, it’ll be as if a month of Sundays has hit the calendar. Make that several months.
The Cleveland location of the popular fast-food chain — famous for its chicken sandwiches and for being closed every Sunday — will shut its doors this weekend and begin a comprehensive renovation, promising improved drive-through efficiency while maintaining its popular playground, according to owner Skyler Hughes.
The restaurant, located at Highway 129 and Underwood Street, a few blocks from the city square, will undergo a three to four -month transformation. The drive-through lanes, which currently converge into one lane, will become two full lanes all the way around the restaurant. Also, a wide doorway will be added to the drive-through “cockpit” area, allowing servers to deliver food easily. And the dining area will get some attention, too.
“The most important thing is, we’re keeping the playground — that’s the first question we get,” said Hughes, 30, who brings a unique perspective to the restaurant. He’s a second-generation Chick-fil-A operator whose father, Mike Holmes, has been with the company for 37 years.
“I literally grew up in this business,” said Hughes, a University of Georgia marketing graduate and U.S. Army veteran. “I didn’t plan to follow in my father’s footsteps. Not at first. But gradually, I found myself drawn back to the family business.”
The restaurant, which Hughes took over in October from the original owner, Chris Liberatore, operates under a unique corporate model where Chick-fil-A owns the building and property, and the local operator manages staffing and daily operations.
Hughes takes pride in continuing his family’s tradition of community-focused restaurant management. His father has operated three Chick-fil-A restaurants and recently transitioned to a new location in Jasper, Georgia.
“My dad and I are very similar — we’re both stubborn and competitive,” Hughes said with a laugh. “It took me until my time in the Army to truly appreciate our similarities.”
The upcoming renovation will maintain the restaurant’s beloved playground (a key feature for local families) and two additional outdoor tables will be installed, enhancing the restaurant’s appeal as a community gathering spot.
The renovation presents challenges for the restaurant’s staff, about half of which is college students — Hughes said he is committed to helping his team find temporary positions with other Chick-fil-A locations and offering community service opportunities during the closure.
“For me, this renovation represents more than just physical improvements,” he said. “It’s an opportunity to continue the Chick-fil-A tradition of developing young talent and providing exceptional customer service. I love watching team members grow and I enjoy challenging them to bring a level of service you don’t normally find in fast food.”