Local Owner-Operator JD Oaks looks to create opportunities and invest in Danville
DANVILLE, Ill. (Oct. 2, 2026) – A Chick-fil-A® restaurant will begin serving the Danville community at its newest location on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026, at 6:30 a.m., creating approximately 135 jobs. Chick-fil-A, Inc. selected Oaks to be the local Owner-Operator of Chick-fil-A Danville.
Located at 3217 N Vermillion St., Chick-fil-A Danville will serve Guests Monday through Saturday from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. offering dine-in, drive-thru, carry-out, third-party delivery, mobile
pick-up and Mobile Thru. Because Chick-fil-A restaurants are designed to serve the unique needs of each community, Chick-fil-A Danville will also feature a playground for Guests with children.
Locally Owned and Operated
Chick-fil-A’s franchise model puts local ownership at the center of each restaurant, with individual Owner-Operators serving as small business owners in the communities their restaurants serve. As full-time, hands-on leaders, local Owner-Operators are responsible for operating their restaurants and investing in the people and communities around them.
In Danville, Oaks will oversee all aspects of the restaurant, including hiring and developing approximately 135 full- and part-time Team Members and leading the restaurant’s day-to-day operations.
“Being present and invested in Danville is incredibly important to me, whether that’s working alongside our Team Members, getting to know our Guests and building relationships throughout the community,” said Oaks. “My hope is for Chick-fil-A Danville to be more than a restaurant. I want us to become part of the community by creating opportunities for people to grow and finding meaningful ways to serve our neighbors.”
Oaks’ journey to becoming a local Owner-Operator was inspired in part by his family. Growing up, he watched his uncle and sister lead Chick-fil-A restaurants and saw firsthand the impact they could have on Team Members and the people around them. He began his own Chick-fil-A journey in 2016 as a Team Member at a Chick-fil-A restaurant in Alabama.
While in college, Oaks received a Chick-fil-A Remarkable Futures™ scholarship, which helped him earn his bachelor’s degree debt-free. He later participated in the Chick-fil-A® Leadership Development Program, gaining hands-on experience supporting restaurants and developing as a leader before being selected to operate Chick-fil-A Danville.
Caring for the Danville Community
Oaks is committed to giving back to the Danville community by:
- Celebrating the opening with a $25,000 donation from Chick-fil-A, Inc. to support local hunger relief efforts of Eastern Illinois Foodbank, a Feeding America partner food bank, in honor of the new restaurant.
- Participating in the Chick-fil-A Shared Table® program, which redirects surplus food to local nonprofits, helping to create over 50 million meals nationwide to date.
To learn more about careers at Chick-fil-A Danville click here. For the latest news and updates on Chick-fil-A Danville visit the restaurant’s Facebook page and follow along on Instagram.
Delicious Food; Outstanding Customer Service
Chick-fil-A is known for creating a remarkable restaurant experience, starting with friendly service, a warm welcome and quality food, including the original Chick-fil-A® Chicken Sandwich. Restaurants strive to provide a great-tasting meal made with real, whole chicken breast and fresh produce, all grown and sourced with care and prepared throughout the day. For more on Chick-fil-A‘s high-quality menu options, click here. For more information about the Brand’s food, people and customers across the country, visit chick-fil-a.com.
About Chick-fil-A, Inc.
Chick-fil-A, Inc. is the third largest quick-service restaurant company in the United States, known for its freshly-prepared food, signature hospitality and unique franchise model. More than 200,000 Team Members are employed by local Owner-Operators in more than 3,000 restaurants across the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, the UK and Singapore.
Chick-fil-A local Owner-Operators live and work in the communities their restaurants serve, each supporting local efforts and making a positive impact. Chick-fil-A gives back through programs including Shared Table, True Inspiration Awards and Scholarships. The family-owned and privately held company got its start in 1946, founded by S. Truett Cathy. More information on Chick-fil-A is available at www.chick-fil-a.com and Chick-fil-A Press Room.
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