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A family affair; new Chick-fil-A opens in Leesburg

Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011 by Laura Peters | 43 comments | Email this story

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Danielle ODell, owner/operator of the new Chick-fil-A in Leesburg, stands on the roof overlooking the encampment of Chick-filA enthusiasts waiting to receive their years worth of weekly free meal vouchers Nov. 30, the day before the grand opening. Times-Mirror Staff Photo/Beverly Denny

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Danielle ODell first started out at Chick-fil-A when she was 16 years old working for her dad at Loudouns first Chick-fil-A in Sterling off Route 7. More than 11 years later, the now 28-year-old ODell has become a operator at the new Leesburg Chick-fil-A located at the Target shopping center. Not only is she an operator but her father, Luis Hevia is one at a Chick-fil-A in Woodbridge and her sister took over ODells previous store at Ballston Commons Mall. Theres so many good memories. Just everything Chick-fil-A has done for my family, ODell said. I met my husband at Chick-fil-A. Spending time with my brother and sister that work at Chick-fil-A, my grandmother works at Chick-fil-A. Its a huge family thing for me. Hevia says he enjoys working for the company and having Sundays off. But more importantly, getting the chance to be surrounded by his family at work. I could bring my family to work with me. Danielle came to work with me and I have another daughter, Andrea, who is an operator at Ballston Commons Mall, Hevia said. She took over Danielles old store. Thats the first time in the history of Chick-fil-A that two sisters handed off stores like that. My wife is my marketing director, my mother-in-law is a hostess and my son is in the business as well. So its a family business. Its really what drew me. Kendra Deoms who operates the Chick-fil-A in Martinsburg, W.Va., has a similar story to ODells. Theres a lot of dads and children that are operators. Even my story, I grew up in Chick-fil-A since I was 16 and became an owner/operator, Deoms said. So, theres a lot of family in Chickfil-A. We actually raise people in our restaurants to become owner/operators. ODell said what sets Chick-fil-A apart from other restaurants is the commitment to the customer and religious values. I think what sets us apart from other restaurants is hands down our values and what we stand for. Our corporate purpose is to glorify God by being faithful stewards of all that is intrusted to

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for. Our corporate purpose is to glorify God by being faithful stewards of all that is intrusted to us and to be a positive influence to all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A, ODell said. So, that right there says a lot about our company. The fact that were closed on Sundays and our product is phenomenal. Deoms said that Chick-fil-A is more than just selling sandwiches, its about being part of the community.
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I think its because Chick-fil-A is such an amazing company to work with and work for and be a part of just because of the core values that we have and just what Chick-fil-A stands for, Deoms explained. Once you get this into your system, its just amazing. Were not really here to sell chicken were here for other things and to be part of the community. Once you have people like that around you its just contagious and you want to be part of this company for a long time. Hevia says hes incredible proud of his daughter operating the store in Leesburg.

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[Im] very proud that at 28 years old she can be so successful. Its just overwhelming sometimes, Hevia said.

When it comes to the interview process at Chick-fil-A, ODell said that she heard more than 200 stories of people who wanted to work at Chick-fil-A.

All the people here helping with the grand opening have been hand selected as well, ODell said. We really do want to have an amazing experience for all of the guests so they feel like its a VIP, red carpet experience from day one. ODell said there are more than 80 people working for her at the Leesburg location. She said there was a lot of anticipation for Chick-fil-A to come to Leesburg and shes been here since day one of groundbreaking tracking the progress. Everybody in Leesburg has been waiting for a Chick-fil-A for so long. This is voted the fourth best place in America to live, this is just the most amazing community. It needed a Chick-fil-A big time, ODell said. As for more Chick-fil-As coming to Loudoun, ODell said there should be about two more coming in the Dulles and Ashburn areas.
The first 100 customers of the new Leesburg Chick-fil-A assemble to form a human 100 in their encampment outside the store on Nov. 30, the day before the grand opening. In return for camping out for 24 hours in the parking lot, they each receive 52 vouchers for free Chick-filA meals. Times-Mirror Staff Photo/Beverly Denny

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Spencer Smith, right, of Purcellville, applies for a job at the new Leesburg Chick-fil-A, accompanied by his friend Cameron Bird of Leesburg, who is already employed there, inside the store Nov. 30, the day before the grand opening. Times-Mirror Staff Photo/Beverly Denny

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