Samford University grad returns to open Chick-fil-A on U.S. 280 near Greystone

For Brent Fielder, opening the new Chick-fil-A Greystone on U.S. 280 adjacent to Alabama 119 was a natural decision. 

Fielder is a 2008 graduate of Samford University, where he obtained a degree in business management. He and his wife, Angela, live less than two miles from the store. And his wife happens to be the granddaughter of Chic-fil-A's founder, the late Truett Cathy.

"I fell in love with Birmingham while attending Samford so it feels great to be back here again," said Fielder, who moved here from Atlanta last July.

Though another operator has a Chick-fil-A  on U.S 280 about two-and-a-half miles closer to Birmingham from Fielder's restaurant, he says the corporate office had been seeking a location closer to the Greystone community. Fielder, who has worked for Chick-fil-A about 12 years, jumped at the chance.

"Chick-fil-A buys the land and builds the building, then partners with us operators to run it," Fielder said. 

Chick-fil-A is known for its policy of closing on Sundays so that associates can spend time with their families and attend church. The restaurant is also active in supporting the surrounding communities, Fielder said.

"My wife and I live  a mile-and-a-half up the road and are heavily invested in this community," Fielder said. "We look forward to continuing Truett Cathy's legacy of serving good food, and supporting our employees and the community."

Fielder said he was impressed with the fact 150 camped outside the Chick-fil-A Greystone at 5375 Highway 280, some for days as is a tradition at openings across the country in an effort to get free food coupons. The first 100 in line when the Chick-fil-A opened its doors for the first time received 52 Chick-fil-A sandwich combo coupons, enough for one a week for an entire year. That's worth a combined $32,000 in food give-aways, he said.