Chick-fil-A will open its second stand-alone San Marcos restaurant at 1433 N. Interstate 35 on Feb. 27, expanding its handcrafted food and award-winning customer service, commitment to community engagement and hands-on mentoring for nearly 80 newly hired team members.
Chick-fil-A at I-35 Aquarena Springs Operator Jon Sprencel cannot think of a better way to mark the 10th anniversary of the opening of his Chick-fil-A at I-35 and Wonder World Drive than by opening his second stand-alone location a decade later, almost exactly to the day. He also serves as operator consultant to the city’s only other Chick-fil-A location, the licensee at Texas State University.
Sprencel’s nearly four decades of Chick-fil-A experience stems from his first taste of a Chick-fil-A sandwich, courtesy of his uncle who is also a Chick-fil-A operator. Sprencel thought chicken on a bun was an unusual combination but when his first bite was so delicious, it inspired him to want to work at the San Antonio North Star Mall location when he turned 16. From a young age, Sprencel enjoyed earning his own money and worked hard at mowing lawns, scorekeeping sports, throwing papers, babysitting and collecting cans and bottles. He used that same work ethic at Chick-fil-A and found himself quickly being promoted to the role of assistant manager. He quickly realized he wanted to become an operator, having fallen in love with Chick-fil-A’s culture and business model that focused on mentoring young people, serving freshly prepared food and positively impacting local communities.
Four years later at age 20, Sprencel began his journey to become an operator by traveling around Texas to serve as interim manager at Chick-fil-A locations awaiting a new operator. He balanced work and earning a business management degree, using the Chick-fil-A Leadership Scholarship he received to help offset his college costs. Following graduation, he expanded his Chick-fil-A travels throughout the west until finally, in July 1992, he became operator of the Chick-fil-A at Windsor Park Mall in San Antonio. He transferred to Austin 5 years later to operate the Chick-fil-A at Barton Creek Square Mall. He was there for 13 years until he moved to open San Marcos’ I-35 at Wonder World Drive restaurant.
Along with his wife, Courtney, and their three children, Sprencel has been active in the local community including serving for 6 years on the board of directors for the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce and as chairman for a year, in addition to supporting the Lion’s Club. Sprencel extends help to local nonprofits and continues to share his passion for leadership development by assisting with the Leader Academy at area schools.
“I am looking forward to expanding my opportunity to serve the San Marcos community both inside and outside my restaurant,” said Sprencel, who was born in France but has lived in Texas since age two. “I am excited about the opportunity to now mentor 242 team members who are the foundation of our success. With our two stand-alone locations, we can better care for and meet guests’ needs while serving craveable food and providing a remarkable experience in a fast, friendly environment.”
Sprencel’s nearly 4,900-square-foot restaurant has been designed to enhance all aspects of a guest’s experience from the drive-thru to the counter to in-restaurant dining. Highlights include a:
- dual-lane drive-thru merging into a single pick-up point that can handle upwards of 200 cars an hour. The location also has environment-controlled canopies to further enhance the outside face-to-face ordering experience, along with six parking spaces for Chick-fil-A mobile ordering pick-up.
- heritage restaurant design that showcases a vintage-inspired interior with floor-to-ceiling windows and drop pendant lighting, along with a chandelier made from recycled Coke bottles over a community table made from reclaimed wood.
- 114-seat dining room with a two-story indoor playground and free Wi-Fi, along with a 20-seat outdoor patio.
- full-service menu with a variety of healthy and dietary options. Every Chick-fil-A restaurant in the United States serves only chicken with “No Antibiotics Ever.” Breakfast will be served until 10:30 a.m., and the restaurant will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Monday through Thursday and then closing at 11:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Chick-fil-A locations are closed on Sunday.
Sprencel will be hosting an overnight, 12-hour First 100 Campout to celebrate his grand opening. It will include engaging activities for participants who will enjoy eating a Chick-fil-A meal during the countdown to the opening when upwards of 100 adults will win a digital offer card for a year of free Chick-fil-A meals — 52 meals with each consisting of a Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich, medium Waffle Potato Fries and a medium beverage.
- Participants can gather at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 26 for registration that begins in the restaurant parking lot at 6 p.m.
- The community event is open to guests surrounding the restaurant with a list of eligible zip codes and complete rules found online.
July will mark Sprencel’s 28 years as a Chick-fil-A operator and 50 years since the chain first entered Texas with its opening in Corpus Christi’s La Palmera Mall. The I-35 Aquarena Springs Chick-fil-A becomes San Marcos’ third location. More information about the restaurant is available on Facebook.
