First 100 guests in line will get free hot chicken for a year
Joella’s Hot Chicken will celebrate the grand opening of its newest location at 2554 E. 146th St. on the Carmel/Westfield border on Thursday, Sept. 24 with a “free hot chicken for a year” giveaway for the first 100 guests in line.
Joella’s, a Louisville-based fast-casual restaurant featuring hot chicken and made-from-scratch sides, will open its first new store since the COVID-19 pandemic in the Cool Creek Commons shopping complex. This will be the fourth Indiana location, joining two Indianapolis restaurants and one in Bloomington.
“We could not be more excited to open the doors to our newest Joella’s location in Hamilton County,” said Christina Happel, regional vice president of operations for Joella’s Hot Chicken. “Central Indiana has welcomed our hot chicken brand with open arms, and based on the feedback from the community we have received in the months leading up to this opening, we expect to create an entirely new fan base in Carmel and Westfield and beyond. We hope our spiced-just-right hot chicken and mouth-watering Southern sides will become a staple for busy families looking for variety in their meals.”
This is the 17th location for the popular dining chain, now the largest hot chicken restaurant brand in the United States with stores in Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio. The new Joella’s location is approximately 4,100 square feet and seats 130 people, which includes an outdoor patio that will be open in warmer months.
As part of the grand opening celebration, Joella’s is giving away more than $38,000 in free chicken meal vouchers to the first 100 adults in line for the event. A one-year supply of free Joella’s Hot Chicken will be awarded to each of the first 100 adults, age 18 years and older, with identification. The line can begin forming up to 24 hours prior to the giveaway, with the free meal vouchers awarded at 8 a.m. on Sept. 24. Guests waiting in line will be entertained by a local DJ and treated to complimentary Chicken and Waffles and Joella’s swag. The restaurant will open for lunch at 11 a.m.
Guests who choose to line up early for the giveaway will be required to follow local and state social distancing guidelines for COVID-19 and will need to remain six feet apart at all times. Guests will also be asked to wear a mask or other personal protective equipment when indoors or when social distancing is not possible. Joella’s wants to make sure its guests know the restaurant is taking extra precautions to protect everyone’s health and safety while also preserving the grand opening giveaway tradition that its hot chicken fans have come to know and love.
It is also notable that during the current pandemic, this new Joella’s location is bringing dozens of hospitality jobs to Hamilton County. Management is still adding to its team of full- and part-time positions, including managers, cooks, cashiers, guest ambassadors, dining room attendants and dishwashers. New employees can earn up to $13 an hour with advancement opportunities, food and beverage discounts, and the potential for cash tips. Interested applicants should apply in person at the Carmel/Westfield store or online at joellas.com/careers.
Joella’s Hot Chicken is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, and kids eat free every Tuesday beginning at 4 p.m. with a purchase of a Chicken Plate, Big Sammie or salad. Guests can dine in or pick up, and Joella’s also offers a full catering menu and delivery through DoorDash. Each store serves Boylan Craft Sodas and a selection of canned craft and domestic beers. For more information about Joella’s Hot Chicken or to see the full menu, visit Joellas.com.