Chick-fil-A moo-ving into Lansing

LANSING – Chick-fil-A is coming to greater Lansing.

The Atlanta-based fast food chain plans to open a restaurant at 5617 W. Saginaw, near the Lansing Mall, in either the "third or fourth quarter" of 2016, said Brenda Morrow, Midwest regional communications manager for Chick-fil-A. The location is currently a Fazoli’s fast-food Italian restaurant.

“We know Michigan is a growth state for us, and we’re always looking for new locations,” Morrow said late Thursday.

“We’re looking forward to coming to Lansing.”

Chick-fil-A has roughly 1,900 restaurants in 42 U.S. states. Its only outlets in Michigan are on the Oakland University campus in Rochester and in the McNamara Terminal at Detroit Metropolitan Airport in Romulus.

The chain is known among fans for its chicken sandwiches on buttered buns with dill pickle slices, hand-cut waffle fries and thick shakes. The company is also known for its satirical television ads with “spokes-cows” urging viewers to “eat more chikin.”

Founded by evangelical Christians and closed on Sundays so that employees can to to church, the company encountered controversy in 2012 when CEO Dan Cathy took a public stance against same-sex marriage. Cathy told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution last year that, while his personal views hadn't changed, he regretted placing the company in the center of that debate.

Morrow offered no further details on the Lansing location and would not confirm an interest in an Okemos location, only saying reports of a move into Okemos are “premature.”

However, Meridian Township Community Planning and Development Director Mark Kieselbach said Thursday his department expects Chick-fil-A to submit permit requests soon for a site on the south side of West Grand River Avenue in front of the Okemos Meijer, 2055 W. Grand River.

For the restaurant to be approved, it would need several special approvals, Kieselbach said, including one for a drive-thru lane and work in a floodplain area. There is a small wetland on the property. However, Kieselbach said it measures less than one-quarter acre and as such is not regulated by the township or the state.

“We’re happy that Chick-fil-A is considering coming to the township,” Kieselbach said.

Contact Dawn Parker at 517-377-1056 or dlparker@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter at @arwen22266.