Chick-fil-A at the University of Tennessee at Martin has been open for three weeks, and staff and students say the changes are already having an impact.

Lines stretched through the Boling University Center after the restaurant opened at 10 a.m. Monday on Sept. 8, and students are still experiencing many of the same frustrations that came with the smaller location. Many orders are coming from the kitchen incorrect or are missing key items. There have also been complaints of students being overcharged for their meals or not being charged at all. 

These complaints are not going unheard; workers and management have been doing their best to deal with the lengthy lines during the lunch rush. “We have been hearing everyone’s complaints and are doing everything that we can to make the process of getting your food as smooth as possible. However, working fast leads to mistakes and miscommunication,” said Tamara Dennett, a UT Martin junior and shift supervisor at Chick-fil-A. “We want everyone’s order to come out in a timely manner and be correct to their satisfaction.”

Chick-fil-A is actively working to fix the kinks and make the process flow smoother. Customers must understand that Chick-fil-A supports more than just the campus, but the city of Martin as a whole. 

Outside of the service itself, many students are disappointed in the lack of menu options, such as the lack of fried or grilled chicken tenders. There is currently no timeline set for when this item will be available at the location. “As far as a full menu, we are run through a company called Sodexo. We are not a typical Chick-fil-A; we can only serve what we are provided,” said Dennett

Reflected was the excitement over the reopening. For many students on opening day, the addition meant a wider variety of meals in the dining hall. According to retail manager Christy McDonald from Martin, reopening took preparation behind the scenes.

“The biggest challenges with reopening was first getting enough staff hired and second retraining on the registers on how to use the new KDS equipment,” she said.

The return of Chick-fil-A emphasized an effort to make on-campus life more convenient. Students said they are excited to have Chick-fil-A back up and going.

“I think it’s cool that Chick-fil-A is reopening on campus,” said Ashley Cotton, a sophomore from Memphis on opening day. “Having more options is always a plus for the student experience at UTM.”

For UT Martin, the impact has been visible immediately. The long lines, busy lunch hours and steady evening traffic all point to Chick-fil-A becoming a central spot for campus dining once again.

“I haven’t had a chance to order anything yet, but I heard it was full service and I’m happy about that,” said Loevi Spencer, a junior from Humboldt on opening day. Spencer added that the new setup is supposed to make the process easier because you’ll get your food and pay at the same time instead of having to walk to another line.

With the restaurant officially open, staff and students say they’re looking forward to making Chick-fil-A a bigger part of campus life.