Chick-fil-A Dwarf House: Hapeville landmark celebrates 80 years
HAPEVILLE, Ga. - The original Dwarf House celebrated 80 years in Hapeville Friday with a special event honoring the birthplace of the Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich.
Hapeville restaurant anniversary
What we know:
The Dwarf House, located at 461 N. Central Ave., hosted the event, including "quick 20-minute tours" where guests can see the progression of the building and step into the kitchen to see how their famous pies are made.
"80 years ago, Mr. Truett Cathy opened this restaurant in this very spot as the dwarf grill," said Adam Cooper Dunn, the full-service director. The celebration was free and included samples of fried pies, chilled pies, and "tasty drinks."
Chick-fil-A dwarf house history
The backstory:
The restaurant began when Truett and Ben Cathy took out a $5,000 loan to build the structure from the ground up, using a "$35 flat iron grill." It was named for its modest footprint, as it originally sat only 26 people with 10 stools and four booths.
Before it was a global chain, it was a 24-hour diner that served burgers and steaks to railroad workers and people from the nearby Ford plant. "The railroad workers looking for some quick service would just stop the train on the tracks," Dunn explained. "Truett would make him a burger and fries and send him on their away."
Historical artifacts preserved
What they're saying:
Following a 2022 renovation, the building still holds pieces of its original character. This includes stools from the 1967 front counter, multicolored stained-glass windows, and repurposed bricks.
The building also features 15 hidden dwarf figurines representing longtime team members and the Cathy family. "That's Mr. True it himself," Dunn said of one figurine. "Wearing his blazer that he always wore holding his chicken sandwich, because why not?"
Global company growth
Big picture view:
From its start in Hapeville, Chick-fil-A has grown to at least 3,000 restaurants. The company is currently expanding into international markets including Singapore, Ireland, England, Puerto Rico, and Canada.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from a Chick-fil-A press release, as well as an interview with Adam Cooper Dunn, the full service director at the Hapeville Dwarf House, who described the site's history and the anniversary event.