It’s now the norm for professional stadiums to offer fans food options from franchised brands, and the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta is no different.
However, one concessions stand will be closed for all but one of the Atlanta Falcons’ eight home games the the stadium’s inaugural season in 2017. According to ESPN, Chick-fil-A will fly the MBS coop seven times — exercising its corporate policy of closing on Sundays and leaving fans only a Thursday night game between the Falcons and the New Orleans Saints on Dec. 7 to purchase the chain’s signature chicken sandwich. For the remaining games, the stand’s digital signage will promote stadium concessionaire Levy’s non-branded food and beverage items.
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Headquartered in Atlanta, Chick-fil-A is the highest grossing restaurant franchise in the United States, with each store generating $4.4 million in annual revenue, on average, according to QSR Magazine, an industry trade publication.
The policy of closing one day of the week for rest and worship, mandated by Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy, is also in play for Atlanta United’s MLS games scheduled for Sundays at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, as well as at the Atlanta Braves’ new SunTrust Park.
A separate stand at MBS, run by former Top Chef contestant Kevin Gillespi, will offer a “Closed on Sundays” chicken sandwich, featuring a knockoff of the Chick-fil-A standard fried chicken and pickle on a buttered bun.
