Find a Restaurant
Chick-fil-A Mobile Kitchens respond to disasters
October 25, 2023
More than 40,000 meals served for disaster aid since program’s inception in 2022
From our earliest days, Chick-fil-A has focused on caring for others—especially through food. Today, we demonstrate this commitment when disaster strikes — even if we don’t have a restaurant nearby — via the Chick-fil-A Mobile Kitchen.
Three Chick-fil-A Mobile Kitchens are based at the Chick-fil-A Support Center in Atlanta and can be quickly deployed following a disaster. Local Owner-Operators respond in their own communities initially, especially if a restaurant has its own food truck. However, if the site of a disaster is remote or would overwhelm Owner-Operators’ resources, they turn to the Support Center for help.
Hurricane Ian highlighted the need to Chick-fil-A
The first formal test came in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in 2022, when much of central and northern Florida was affected by catastrophic storm surge, winds and flooding. Chick-fil-A, Inc. led the response in Ft. Myers and distributed around 1,000 sandwiches per hour from the Mobile Kitchen, totaling 25,000 meals over 10 days.
Mississippi tornadoes reinforced the need for an at-the-ready response
In March 2023, Chick-fil-A, Inc. deployed the Mobile Kitchen to Rolling Fork and Amory, MS, after deadly overnight tornadoes tore through the area, leaving virtually nothing standing. Chick-fil-A delivered nearly 14,000 meals to disaster relief workers and residents in those communities, which were more than an hour away from the nearest Chick-fil-A Restaurant.
“The challenging part is that most of these events are short-notice situations that require us to plan, deploy the unit and staff it within 48 hours,” says Michael Nix, whose role is focused on business continuity and crisis response. “This level of effort requires coordination across multiple departments from supply chain to field operations and marketing.”
“I’m in regular contact with state emergency management agencies,” Michael said. “We’ll assess if the area is already receiving food from other sources — or not — before sending our Mobile Kitchen. We always want to be where we can make the most impact.”
Local Owner-Operators respond to the call
Brothers Chris (Kenner FSU) and Cody Salomone (Gonzales FSU) are Owners/Operators in Louisiana who have personally experienced the impact of disaster.
Chris’ house experienced severe damage during Hurricane Ida. Baton Rouge’s historic 2016 flooding left two feet of standing water in Cody’s home. In both situations, surrounded by family and friends, each brother and his family were able to start the recovery process quickly.
“When catastrophes happen, the best thing you can do is show up,” Cody said.
When Hurricane Harvey made landfall along the Texas coast, Cody called Chris and said this was their chance to serve Owner-Operators and Team Members. They put together a list of things they would need for recovery and headed to Houston with a trailer of donated supplies. They helped with clean up at five or six homes belonging to fellow Chick-fil-A Owner-Operators in Houston. They also cooked red beans and rice, serving a couple thousand plates in an impacted neighborhood.
“There’s no time when I feel closer to other people in the world as I do after a storm,” Cody said. “In 2016, I had the chance to meet neighbors I’d never met before. The community came together.”
The Salomone brothers continue to help those who have been impacted by disaster and partner with other local Owner-Operators to do so.
Chick-fil-A One® members support disasters through the Chick-fil-A App®
When the needs are massive, Chick-fil-A allows guests to donate through the Chick-fil-A App ®, directing additional funds to The American Red Cross, Feeding America or other nonprofits designated for specific community needs.
“Caring for others through food is a pillar for us, so these are natural ways for us to extend our care during times of need,” says Gloria Cox, principal team leader for Chick-fil-A giving and programs.
Gloria says that Operators are always quick to answer the call for community help. “They show up in the quiet ways to make Chick-fil-A what it is, so the Support Center wants to amplify their efforts,” she says.
As outlined in Chick-fil-A’s Global Impact Report, the company has a goal to donate 200 million meals by 2025. The Mobile Kitchen program is a critical asset that will help make that goal possible. You can learn more about Chick-fil-A’s disaster relief efforts here.
More than 40,000 meals served for disaster aid since program’s inception in 2022
From our earliest days, Chick-fil-A has focused on caring for others—especially through food. Today, we demonstrate this commitment when disaster strikes — even if we don’t have a restaurant nearby — via the Chick-fil-A Mobile Kitchen.
Three Chick-fil-A Mobile Kitchens are based at the Chick-fil-A Support Center in Atlanta and can be quickly deployed following a disaster. Local Owner-Operators respond in their own communities initially, especially if a restaurant has its own food truck. However, if the site of a disaster is remote or would overwhelm Owner-Operators’ resources, they turn to the Support Center for help.
Hurricane Ian highlighted the need to Chick-fil-A
The first formal test came in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in 2022, when much of central and northern Florida was affected by catastrophic storm surge, winds and flooding. Chick-fil-A, Inc. led the response in Ft. Myers and distributed around 1,000 sandwiches per hour from the Mobile Kitchen, totaling 25,000 meals over 10 days.
Mississippi tornadoes reinforced the need for an at-the-ready response
In March 2023, Chick-fil-A, Inc. deployed the Mobile Kitchen to Rolling Fork and Amory, MS, after deadly overnight tornadoes tore through the area, leaving virtually nothing standing. Chick-fil-A delivered nearly 14,000 meals to disaster relief workers and residents in those communities, which were more than an hour away from the nearest Chick-fil-A Restaurant.
“The challenging part is that most of these events are short-notice situations that require us to plan, deploy the unit and staff it within 48 hours,” says Michael Nix, whose role is focused on business continuity and crisis response. “This level of effort requires coordination across multiple departments from supply chain to field operations and marketing.”
“I’m in regular contact with state emergency management agencies,” Michael said. “We’ll assess if the area is already receiving food from other sources — or not — before sending our Mobile Kitchen. We always want to be where we can make the most impact.”
Local Owner-Operators respond to the call
Brothers Chris (Kenner FSU) and Cody Salomone (Gonzales FSU) are Owners/Operators in Louisiana who have personally experienced the impact of disaster.
Chris’ house experienced severe damage during Hurricane Ida. Baton Rouge’s historic 2016 flooding left two feet of standing water in Cody’s home. In both situations, surrounded by family and friends, each brother and his family were able to start the recovery process quickly.
“When catastrophes happen, the best thing you can do is show up,” Cody said.
When Hurricane Harvey made landfall along the Texas coast, Cody called Chris and said this was their chance to serve Owner-Operators and Team Members. They put together a list of things they would need for recovery and headed to Houston with a trailer of donated supplies. They helped with clean up at five or six homes belonging to fellow Chick-fil-A Owner-Operators in Houston. They also cooked red beans and rice, serving a couple thousand plates in an impacted neighborhood.
“There’s no time when I feel closer to other people in the world as I do after a storm,” Cody said. “In 2016, I had the chance to meet neighbors I’d never met before. The community came together.”
The Salomone brothers continue to help those who have been impacted by disaster and partner with other local Owner-Operators to do so.
Chick-fil-A One® members support disasters through the Chick-fil-A App®
When the needs are massive, Chick-fil-A allows guests to donate through the Chick-fil-A App ®, directing additional funds to The American Red Cross, Feeding America or other nonprofits designated for specific community needs.
“Caring for others through food is a pillar for us, so these are natural ways for us to extend our care during times of need,” says Gloria Cox, principal team leader for Chick-fil-A giving and programs.
Gloria says that Operators are always quick to answer the call for community help. “They show up in the quiet ways to make Chick-fil-A what it is, so the Support Center wants to amplify their efforts,” she says.
As outlined in Chick-fil-A’s Global Impact Report, the company has a goal to donate 200 million meals by 2025. The Mobile Kitchen program is a critical asset that will help make that goal possible. You can learn more about Chick-fil-A’s disaster relief efforts here.
