By Cesar A.
NANUET, NY – Move over Taylor Swift — there’s a new pre-dawn phenomenon in town, and this one involves chicken biscuits.
At exactly 6:30 a.m. Thursday morning, an enthusiastic crowd of early risers swarmed the grand opening of Rockland County’s very first Chick-fil-A in Nanuet, NY. The parking lot filled with fans lining up for breakfast as if they were waiting for backstage passes — only instead of glitter and friendship bracelets, they came armed with caffeine and car keys.
The drive-thru queue? Wrapped around the building like a pop concert tailgate. The foot traffic? An orderly frenzy of people trying not to look too desperate for fried chicken at sunrise. In short, it was everything one might expect from a town deprived of chicken. For far too long.
Elie Kim, the franchise owner and longtime Rockland County resident, was on hand to welcome guests with signature southern hospitality. Kim was not shy to share her excitement and gratitude for the warm reception she and her team received from the community.
Kim, the proud owner of the new location — and a Rockland native — beamed as she opened the doors. “I’ve felt so welcomed by the community,” Kim said in the pre-opening interview with Rockland News on Wednesday 8/13/25. “I’m just so honored to serve everyone with Chick-fil-A’s genuine hospitality. Over the past two days, I’ve been welcomed by so many people here. I truly feel blessed and honored to serve this town,” said Kim. “We’re ready to bring genuine Chick-fil-A hospitality and serve some amazing chicken biscuits.”
The Nanuet location is a significant milestone as it marks Chick-fil-A’s debut in Rockland County, an area where the brand has long been anticipated. Kim, who began her journey with Chick-fil-A 19 years ago, previously operated locations in Fairfax County, VA, and Manhattan before jumping at the opportunity to open in her hometown.
Raised in Rockland and now living in Orangeburg, Kim’s return to local roots brings a full-circle moment to her career. “This is my town,” she said proudly. “When the chance came up to open here, I took it immediately.”
For Kim, the opening is more than a business milestone — it’s a homecoming. After nearly two decades with Chick-fil-A in Fairfax County and Manhattan, she’s now back in Rockland, where she raised her children and built roots. “This is my town,” she said. “When I had the chance to open here, I took it immediately.”
And serve Chick-Fil-A did — with fresh, handmade biscuits that apparently have near-cult status among fans. “Have you tried our chicken biscuits?” Kim asked during the interview, “We roll the dough by hand, cut the shapes, and bake them fresh.”
To which the crowd seemed to reply: “Yes, and we’ve been dreaming about it since 4:30 a.m.” According to a Chick-Fil-A representative, two people had been camping outside in the parking lot since 10 pm on Wednesday.
Thursday’s fanfare also settled a light-hearted debate among local leaders over whether Clarkstown or Orangetown would snag the prized chicken spot. Spoiler: Clarkstown won. Bets were settled, biscuits were devoured, and not a single soul left hungry — or unhappy.
So if you noticed a suspicious number of people significantly alert before 7 a.m. today, now you know: Chick-fil-A opened in Nanuet, and it’s a welcome addition to the fabric of Rockland County.
Local officials, including those who had jokingly wagered on whether the location would land in Clarkstown or Orangetown, were present to support the opening. The turnout highlighted not just excitement for a new dining option, but also a celebration of local business growth and community spirit.