Chick-fil-A announces grand opening in Plant City
A new Chick-fil-A restaurant will open its doors in Plant City today.
Plant City’s first Chick-fil-A will be located at 1101 Goldfinch Dr., off of Thonotosassa Rd., with operating hours running from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
The new restaurant will be locally owned and operated by Florida native Dawn Redmon. Redmon grew up in Mulberry, Fla., just a short drive from Plant City, and worked as a middle school teacher while also supporting a local Chick-fil-A restaurant with its marketing efforts. Redmon later became employed as a part-time team member with the company before advancing to leadership positions and ultimately being selected to become the operator of the Chick-fil-A Westfield Brandon in 2016.
After serving the Brandon community for five years, Redmon will now transition to her new role as operator of Chick-fil-A Plant City.
“Throughout my life, mentoring youth has always been my passion,” Redmon said. “With the opening of Chick-fil-A Plant City, I look forward to developing and encouraging my Team Members. As a local business owner, I am humbled by the opportunity to show care for our neighbors and serve our guests great-tasting food with Chick-fil-A’s signature hospitality.”
UYFL coming to Plant City for the 11th year
The United Youth Football League National Championship tournament is returning to Plant City for it’s 11th consecutive year next week.
In 2020, the event brought thousands of spectators to Plant City as they cheered on over 5,000 players and coaches that made up 185 youth football teams over 16 different age weight divisions that ranged from six-and-under to 15-and-under. Of the 185 teams in attendance last year, 151 came from outside of Florida, representing 26 different states.
Only eight teams from Hillsborough, Pinellas and Orange counties were non-traveling teams that didn’t utilize local hotels or other rental housing in Plant City.
The tournament will take place at Ellis-Methvin Park where seven fields have been laid out to accommodate the event. Games will take place from Sunday, Dec. 5 to Friday, Dec. 10 and the tournament will stream live video of each game online through a pay-per-view service, exposing Plant City’s local facility and weather to the out-of-town markets.
According to the Tampa Bay Sports Commission, the UYFL event is one of the largest annual youth amateur sports events held in the county and the event generated 15,163 room-nights in 2019, not including the positive economic impact on other businesses including restaurants, grocers and convenience stores.