The Manning Rotary Club met on February 5 at Porter Jack’s in Manning, where members welcomed guest speaker Will Lane, Chick-fil-A Operator and guest of Rotarian Scott Wanamaker. Lane shared insights into Chick-fil-A’s expansion process and how Manning became a site for one of the company’s restaurants.
Lane explained that, unlike many fast-food franchises that fully own their real estate, Chick-fil-A uses a “build-to-suit” model in smaller markets. “Instead of having the whole bill, they only have 25% of the bill,” Lane said. This model allows Chick-fil-A to collaborate with third-party developers who purchase land and construct buildings tailored to the company’s specifications. Once the structure is completed, Chick-fil-A outfits it for operation, reducing upfront costs while expanding into new markets. This approach has helped the company establish locations in smaller communities where traditional corporate-owned real estate investments might not be viable.
His journey to bringing Chick-fil-A to Manning began in 2018 when he noticed an available lot while visiting family. He conducted research on local traffic, schools, and industry, compiling a report he sent to the company’s real estate team. Initially, he was told Manning was at least “five to seven years” away from consideration.
That timeline changed in 2020 when he learned Manning had been moved up on the company’s priority list. “You see, we turned Manning into a yellow dot,” Lane recalled being told at a Chick-fil-A convention, indicating the location had become a viable prospect. However, the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the project for more than a year.
By early 2021, Chick-fil-A’s real estate team visited Manning for site evaluations. Lane recalled keeping a low profile during the visit. “You don’t realize how strong the rumor mill is,” he joked. “If people saw me riding around with Chick-fil-A reps, they’d know something was up.”
The restaurant officially opened in late 2022, and Lane has since focused on building a strong team and maintaining a high level of service. “We’ve been in the top 20% in the nation for customer experience scores within about six months of being open,” he said. “That’s not common for a small-town store.”
Lane also discussed a recent efficiency study conducted at the Manning location. “Chick-fil-A flew a drone over the restaurant to study ingress and egress flow and how the team is doing,” he said. The study uses footage and restaurant data to identify areas for improvement.
Following Lane’s presentation, the club shared updates on ongoing community initiatives. The Manning Times is continuing its canned goods collection competition with Manning Junior High School and Manning High School’s FFA programs. Donations will support at least three organizations in Clarendon County, including Well-Watered Ministries, United Ministries, and Vision by Design. Drop-off locations to be announced soon.
Additionally, the club reminded members and residents to stay connected through its recently launched Facebook page. “Following the Manning Rotary Club on Facebook is a great way to stay informed about our meetings, events, and service projects,” said Club President Johnson James.
For more information about the Manning Rotary Club and its activities, visit their Facebook page or contact the club directly.
