Here are my top five reasons that I love Chick-fil-A:

1. Fresh ingredients: The topic of food quality creates a lot of buzz these days. Fast food gets a pretty bad rap with a reputation for lower quality ingredients, pre-packaged delivery, and food additives like “pink slime.”  You won’t find anything like this at Chick-fil-A.  They are committed to

All you need to make that fresh Chick-fil-A lemonade

using fresh, top-quality ingredients in all of their products.  Name brands such as Nabisco Nilla wafers, Hershey’s chocolate syrup, and Sunkist lemons are used in all of their restaurants.  During our tour, we had an opportunity to make the Chick-fil-A lemonade just like every restaurant operator.  The ingredients are simple: fresh lemons, sugar (or Splenda for diet), and water.  These lemons are squeezed fresh every day at each location.  Lemonade isn’t made from a mix or syrup.

Similarly, their chicken breasts and nuggets are hand-breaded, pies and cookies are baked fresh, and  salad ingredients are chopped in each store. Nothing is “pre-made” for Chick-fil-A locations.  This commitment to freshness ensures the best quality for your family.

2. Kids meals encourage engagment: I usually cringe when we get a kids meal from another fast food restaurant.  The plastic object included with the meal may carry some interest long enough for the car ride home but it is quickly forgotten and often relegated to gathering dust or taking up valuable storage space in our already cluttered home.  This never happens at Chick-fil-A.  The prizes

One of the popular Chick-fil-A cows

in their kids meals focus on bringing families together.  If you have been to one of their restaurants recently, you may have seen the University Games educational toys or the Klutz Build-A-Book kits that allow kids to create books for mom, dad, or family (perfect for those spring holidays that celebrate the family unit).  Stay tuned later this year for gardening tools from the National Wildlife Federation, Mercer Mayer’s Little Critter books, Jim Henson puppets, and comic books featuring the popular Chick-fil-A cows.  Did you know that each kid’s meal prize comes with a guide for families that offers activities and ideas to expand engagement with your child?  I have yet to find a comparable restaurant that offers that kind of thoughtfulness with their kiddie sized fries.

3. Challenging conventional wisdom:

Me & Dan Cathy at the original Dwarf House restaurant, the "First Chick-fil-A"

When Truett Cathy started his Dwarf House restaurant in 1947, he served meals 24 hours a day to the blue collar employees who worked in the industrial area of Atlanta where he set up shop.  The exception was that he always closed on Sunday.  Sixty-six years ago, this was not uncommon, but the Cathy family has kept to their commitment of giving all of their employees a day of rest.  It certainly hasn’t hurt their business.  Their commitment to quality ingredients also bucks the fast food standard.  Truett’s son Dan Cathy shared their family formula for success during our tour: success happens when you “get the food right, create the right employee atmosphere, and get people coming back over and over again.”  This commitment is seen not just in the three generations of the Cathy family who now run the business but the thousands of employees who work in all aspects of the corporation, from owners and operators to dishwashers and cashiers.

4. Commitment to the community: You have probably participated in a Chick-fil-A Spirit Night recently.  The individual locations are proud to be an active part of their communities. Not only do they offer creative opportunities for local organizations to raise funds, they also offer special evenings that help families reconnect and engage.  In the past year, some Chick-fil-A locations have hosted special family nights such as father-daughter and mother-son date nights, girls night out (for mothers and daughters) and football nights (for fathers and sons).  These events are usually more than just an opportunity to eat out.  The restaurants offer extras such as tablecloths, table-side entertainment, themed games, and  more! In the next year, stay tuned to your local Chick-fil-A locations for more opportunities like this.  For the cost of a meal, you can get an engaging evening out with one (or more) of your children.

5. Standing by their values: The Cathy family does not shy away from their commitment to being a family centered company. Many people know that they are a Christian family and it is evident through some of their kid’s meal programs as well as their charitable activities that their business model and employee training are centered around Christian ideals.  Regardless of your personal ideology, it is difficulty to argue with a business that is clearly family centered, focused on engagement, and also focused on balance.  I respect that commitment to the Golden Rule as well as the investment they put into both their business and the community.

Do you love Chick-fil-A?  Comment on this post, telling us what you like best about their restaurants, and you could win some great prizes brought straight to you from Chick-fil-A headquarters in Atlanta.  Comments must be made by May 28th to qualify.

Disclaimer: Chick-fil-A provided my food, airfare, and lodging during the Backstage Tour. The opinions expressed are entirely those of the author.  

Don’t miss this side-splittin’, foot-stompin’ country musical spin on the classic tale! This hysterical musical adventure follows The Little Red Hen’s common sense encountering the tricks of the conniving fox to lead the sheep, the cow, the horse, and the pig to a life lesson. A meet and greet with the cast and lunch (for purchase) will follow each performance. The whole family will be hootin’ ‘n hollerin’!

Tickets: $14-$18 per person.
Lunch will be available for $4 per person (Chick-Fil-A nuggets or sandwich & brownie & chips). Join Theatre IV after the show, meet the cast, and have a delicious lunch. Call 282-2620 for tickets or more information.

• Friday, May 13 – Disney’s Imagination Movers from 4-7pm at Carpenter Theatre at Richmond, CenterStage
• Friday, May 13 Family Art Night at VMFA from 5-7pm
• Friday, May 13 Pirate/Princess Night at Chick-fil-A Parham Road Location
• Friday, May 13 & Saturday May 14: Seussical the Musical
• Friday & Saturday, 5/13-5/14/11: Dominion Riverrock Festival
• Saturday, May 14, Trimathalon Day at Mathnasium-enter your child to win great prizes
• Saturday, May 14, 7th Annual Strawberry Fields Festival – 10am-5pm – The Berry Patch FREE admission
• Saturday, May 14 – Deep Run Park KidFest 1pm-4pm – games, music, arts, food. FREE admission
• Sunday May 15 – Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Social, Clarke-Palmore House Museum – games, live music and FREE ice cream while supplies last.
• All weekend, 5/13-5/15/11: Lebanese Food Festival
• Through 5/15/11: Last weekend of Honk! at Theatre IV (read our review & get discount tix here)
• Sunday, May 15: March of Dimes March for Babies
• Sunday, May 15: Reading from The Raven’s Bride at The Poe Museum, 2-4pm

Bring the whole family for this event Saturday, April 30th, 20111 with music, food, entertainment and more!  FREE for Richmond families.

CHICKENSTOCK II benefits BARK at Chick-fil-A at Short Pump Crossing. Enjoy live local bands on stage! There’ll be a children’s Carnival with the Big Top Kiddie Play area, Moonbounce, Whirly Bird ride, Kona Ice truck & more! Games, Balloon Scultping, Face Painting, prizes & entertainment from local partners.

• When: 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM
• Where: Chick-Fil-A at Short Pump Crossing

Mondays from 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Show your completed homework to TutorDoctor and receive a coupon for a FREE IceDream®!

Tutors will be available to help elementary and middle school students with homework during this time.
Any questions, please email cfaparham@yahoo.com or call Cyndi at 804-833-9925

1) Nibbles. Party grub. Sustenance.

Very Important. Shopping (and most fun things) are utterly impossible on an empty stomach. We recommend Chick-fil-A Reheatable Nugget or Chick-n-Strip Trays-Just pop them in the oven, reheat and serve. They’ll taste like you just picked them up from the restaurant and they are guaranteed to be the first to go on your holiday table. Plus, this gives you the option to serve them at your Sunday events. (Super Bowl Sunday will never be the same!)

2) Fabulous holiday cards.

Done early, preferably by someone else, like By Invitation Only. Every Monday is a Mommy Monday at By Invitation Only with our Savvy Saver Card with 20% off all orders, and they’ll event print the addresses AND return address on them so all you have to do is lick ‘em and send ‘em. Unless you don’t even want to do that (they’ll do that, too).

3) Unforgettable family & kid photos (to accompany said cards, perhaps?)

Real Life Studio is offering Portraits for Charity for the rest of the year. A $49.00 session fee includes one 5×7 portrait and the entire amount will be donated to charity. We have great portrait collections that start as low as $49.00 and great options for holiday cards,etc.

Real Life Santa will be back at the studio at Real Life Studios. Skip the mall & make your special appointment to come by and visit Santa this holiday season, no wait, no hassle (no annoying lines). Appointments are very limited on Santa Days: Sunday 12/5 and Saturday 12/18 at Real Life Studios; Thursday 12/16 and Sunday 12/19 at Bumble & Co. Please bring a toy for CHIP of Greater Richmond.

We had BOTH family portraits & Santa photos done here last year in less than ONE HOUR. WITH NO SWEATING (because the kids were playing Wii while we were selecting our photos). Seriously.

If you’re thinking of a more serious/formal portrait, there is no better gift for the grandparents than a portrait from Hayes & Fisk the Art of Photography. They will offer all Richmondmom.com fans a free creation fee ($150.00 value) on your next family portrait session at our studio or in our gardens. A family portrait is the perfect gift for yourselves and loved ones during the holiday season.

4) A massage or facial (or both) from Massage Envy Richmond.

Massage Envy is the affordable way to give yourself or someone you love the gift of relaxation this holiday and they can decided on a facial, a massage, aromatherapy, and more. Gift cards are available starting at $50, and this is one gift that will not be returned. Hands-down.

5) The gift of meals ready-to-cook from Dream Dinners.

Enjoy extra time with your family this Holiday Season by letting Dream Dinners do all the planning, shopping and prep work for you. The result will be a fabulous dinner that YOU cook at home and the whole family will enjoy! Our complete holiday dinners include Roasted Turkey, Prime Rib, Fruit Stuffed Pork Roast, Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes with Brown Sugar and Pecans, Stuffing with Sausage and Apples, Pumpkin Crisp, Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes and much more. Visit us online at dreamdinners.com or call the store at 804-739-6442 for details. Delivery to the Daily Grind in Short Pump is available in the West End.
Give someone the gift of time with a Dream Dinners gift card. They are available for purchase online at dreamdinners.com or at the Woodlake store. Instant email delivery option is now available for last minute shoppers.

6) The gift of adult time with a gift certificate to College Nannies & Tutors of Richmond.

Give the gift of time this Holiday! The holidays can be hectic…Finding safe, reliable childcare during the holiday season can add additional stress. Treat someone who deserves a break to a gift certificate from College Nannies. A College Nannies Hourly Childcare Gift Certificate Allows:
• Time to shop without children in tow
• Time to attend all your holiday events
• Time to get away from it all

We’ve tried it. We loved College Nannies & Tutors Richmond.

7) Have wee ones? A couple of must-haves from Weebsworld.

-Be Prepared Bag from Ju-Ju-Be: Are you an over packer? Do you have more than one in diapers? Twins? How about the perfect bag for overnight trips… or the airplane? Kitchen sink not included… but would probably fit if needed… Oh yeah, it is great to fit on the back of double stroller too! $180

-Stroller hand muff by Kidaddle: If we have another winter like last year in Richmond, this is going to be an essential item. Snap this muff easily onto your stroller handle to keep your hands warm, cozy and dry when pushing the stroller. Muff has a super soft plush inside and a weather-resistant exterior. Fits most stroller models with a handle bar. 100% polyester. Measures 21″ L. $40

8) Gift certificate to The Wine Loft Richmond.

It’s like a little taste of New York City right here in Richmond. With cozy seats, an amazing wine selection and a private loft for groups and parties this treat will be savored.

9) Tickets or a season subscription to Barksdale Theatre or TheatreIV.

Cannot tell you how much fun we’ve had with this–both as adults without kiddos attending Barksdale presentations and with the entire family at the Empire Theatre’s Theatre IV productions. We have White Christmas, The Velveteen Rabbit, and other great shows to look forward to there. The experience of theatre is a one-of-a-kind gift. Gift cards available.

10) Another unforgettable experience is an overnight stay at The Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg.

As our writer Alex shared in her recent review of Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg, it’s a fantastic family experience, with gift certificates available at the sales office.

11) Richmond Rocks Children’s Book

What? You don’t have a signed copy yet? Well you’re in the right place, as Richmondmom.com CEO Kate Hall wrote it. Available at dozens of locations in Richmond, Richmond Rocks is a fun journey of three Richmond kids with their mama. They learn about all the cool historical spots in Richmond that make this city so incredible, and that there really is a lot of fun in this “boring ‘ol town.” Hardback editions available in limited quantities for $14.95, soft-cover available soon.

12) Cool jewelry at The Science Museum of Virginia. The Science Museum store has a super-cool necklace that’s magnetic, chic and fun to wear for just $24.95

13) Anything adorable from Bumble & Co. This store has the cutest stuff for kids this winter: jammies, coats, and adorable holiday outfits. Now in a new location at the Shops at Westgate, this store is the place to find something precious for your Richmond kid for the holidays.

14) Finding Thalhimers. For native Richmonders and newbies alike, this is a must-read about Richmond’s past. Read the Finding Thalhimers review here.