Chick-fil-A — Restaurant in Gardendale

We love Chick-fil-A but didn't have a fantastic experience today. We placed a mobile order for 3 combo meals (not a huge order) for pick up at the counter as did a friend of ours in our vehicle at the same time while we were driving to CFA. We all walked in and my friend's order was ready. He quickly discovered they had missed an order of fries and dressing but they corrected that pretty quickly. No sign of my order. Several people who ordered while we were waiting got their food before us. At one point an employee said they were waiting on a chicken sandwich for my order. After waiting 15 mins I asked if they even had our order because the receipt had timed out. They said yes and they were waiting on a sandwich...still. Finally the employee asked the people in the back to make the sandwich. This was not a special sandwich order at all... Why did he need to ask and why did he wait 15 mins before asking? During this time another friend of ours came up to the counter. He had ordered shakes and they said they would bring them out. They never did so his order was incomplete and he had been waiting about 20 mins. We finally got our food about 7 mins later so it took just under 25 mins to get our order. The good news is it was correct and the fries were fresh. As you can see in the picture, it was mid afternoon and the restaurant was empty. Yes there were cars in the drive thru but it wasn't busy by any means. Plenty of employees around so they definitely weren't short staffed either. Not sure why it takes 20+ mins to make a fried chicken sandwich but be warned if you order one, you might be there...

Horrible experience starting with the guy who took my order at the drive thru who speaks so fast he's very hard to understand, even after asking him to slow down. When I asked for a receipt he said I would get one at the window when I get my food. After waiting in a slow moving line I finally got my order but no receipt. When I asked for the receipt, the employee went inside with my order, then after a few minutes I see him go to the other side of the building, talking with other employees. He's still holding my order that is getting colder by the minute. I called out, questioned the delay and was told the printer at the drive thru was not working but they were trying to get the receipt. More minutes passed, no receipt, and my order is still in the hands of the employee. I got the attention of another employee and asked to speak to the manager, she eventually goes across the room, talks to someone and then told me the manager would be out shortly. More time passes, I'm sure I have been at the window more than 10 minutes by now, still no food, no receipt and no manager. Eventually I am told that the manager is on break. By this time people in line behind me are honking horns. I'm so frustrated at the lack of service I asked for a refund. While I'm waiting for the refund to be processed the manager finally appears but all he could say is the printer wasn't working and he didn't seem concerned. Of course, because the printer wasn't working I didn't get a receipt that the credit was...

Ive never ate chic-fil-a. First visit, first opinion. Walked in was completely stunned by all the employees, compared to other fast food establishments. Observed tables , where very clean. No messes. Employees always in motion. Compared to other establishments who like to lean against counters or have there music blasting. Ordering was extremely easy an simple ( simple menue ). Food got there waaaaaay to quick from I'm used too. The waffle fries through me off alottle but where soooooooooooo had The. The chicken sandwich was awesomely delicious. I would do come back again.

I would like to personaly thank madelyn for helping me make so easy an quick. Awesome sauce of a job. Other establishments need people like her. Well spoken. Explained certain items on the menus so i could understand them.

Another thing blew my mind is the uniform. Color coordinated. No one sagging there pants ?( like other places ) didn't notice no messy counters nor floors. Bathrooms did not have a horrible smell. Lighting was perfect. Wide variety of condiments. Fresh flowers on every table. Closing time they were all working together as a team ( the way it should be ) to prepare store for closing. Team work makes the dream work. An their ice cream machine wasnt...