Restaurant Brings Approximately 125 Jobs, Guests Invited to Dress in Cow Print on Opening Day for Free Entrée
KINGSTON N.Y. (Nov. 5, 2026) – The first Chick-fil-A® restaurant in Kingston will begin serving Guests on Thursday, Nov. 12 at 6:30 a.m., with Chick-fil-A, Inc. selecting Asmeret Mekonen to serve as its local Owner-Operator.
Located at 1 Miron Lane, Chick-fil-A Kingston will serve Guests Monday through Saturday from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., offering dine-in, drive-thru, carry-out and Mobile Pick-Up. The restaurant marks Chick-fil-A‘s entry into Kingston, bringing the brand’s signature hospitality and approximately 125 jobs to the Kingston community.
To celebrate, Guests are invited to join the fun by dressing in cow print on opening day to receive a free entrée.
Locally Owned and Operated
“Seeing the impact my brothers had through their Chick-fil-A restaurants inspired me to pursue this path and serve my own community,” said Mekonen. “What began as an opportunity to support my brothers became a journey of personal and professional growth, showing me the power of investing in people. I’m excited to bring that same commitment to Kingston, where Team Members are encouraged to develop their skills, pursue their goals and feel genuinely cared for every step of the way.”
More About Asmeret
- After a 25-year career in finance and operations, Mekonen began her Chick-fil-A journey in 2020, serving as General Manager at her brother Aman’s restaurant in Queens. She later supported her brother Senay’s restaurant in the Bronx and worked alongside other Chick-fil-A Operators across New York City.
- Through her time with Chick-fil-A, Mekonen gained hands-on experience in restaurant operations, talent development and team leadership, ultimately inspiring her to become an Owner-Operator herself.
- Family trips to the Hudson Valley gave Mekonen a lasting appreciation for the region’s welcoming, close-knit feel. She looks forward to becoming an active member of the Kingston community and building meaningful relationships with Guests, neighbors and local organizations.
Opening Day Moove-In Party at Chick-fil-A Kingston
To celebrate the restaurant moo-ving into town, Mekonen and her team are inviting the community to show off their cow spots on opening day for a free entrée.
- Since 1995, the Cows have been a beloved part of Chick-fil-A, encouraging humans to skip burgers and “Eat More Chikin” – and now it’s Kingston’s turn to join the herd.
- Guests dressed in cow print – whether it’s a full cow costume or a simple cow-spotted accessory – can enjoy one free entrée or kid’s meal.
Caring for the Kingston Community
Mekonen is committed to giving back to the Kingston community by:
- Providing a $25,000 donation from Chick-fil-A, Inc. to Feeding America to support the local hunger relief efforts of Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, 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. The program has helped to create over 50 million meals nationwide to date.
To learn more about careers at Chick-fil-A Kingston, click here, or for the latest news and updates on Chick-fil-A Kingston, visit the restaurant’s Facebook page. For more on Chick-fil-A‘s high-quality menu options, click here.
*Guests who dress in cow attire on opening day can redeem the offer of one free entrée inside the restaurant or in the drive-thru. Breakfast offer options include the Chick-fil-A® Chicken Biscuit, Egg White Grill or 4-ct Chick-fil-A Chick-n-Minis®. Lunch/dinner offer options include the Chick-fil-A® Chicken Sandwich, Spicy Chicken Sandwich, 8-ct Original Nugget, 8-ct Grilled Nugget or 5-ct Nugget Kid’s Meal. Limit one free entrée per Guest dressed in cow print, while supplies last. No purchase necessary. See the restaurant for more details.
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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