Special to Elmore Autauga News
It is one of the most recognizable institutions in the south. One of its brand spanking new installations sits in Millbrook – unopened.
Waffle House is as common to the south as football and sweet tea. The company built a new Waffle House in the front of the shopping center on Highway 14 that houses Marvin’s, Tractor Supply and other stores.
The opening of the store could have taken place but, shortly before construction was complete, the coronavirus scare hit America. Today the store sports its new freshly constructed look only customers and staff are absent from the location.
The Waffle House home office was contacted by Elmore Autauga News regarding an opening date and the following statement was provided by Njeri Boss the company’s Director of Public Relations:
“Thank you for reaching out to us with your question concerning the Millbrook, Alabama location. Opening decisions for this as well as with other locations have been put on hold as we try to navigate these unprecedented times. We have not determined an opening date at this time, but we will update you when we do have one.”
Waffle House is everywhere in the South. It has inspired country songs, comedy routines, loving editorials, and a scene in the movie Tin Cup. In 2017 an ESPN story stated, “There’s no business that has a more symbiotic relationship with college football fans of every stripe than the Waffle House.” Waffle House is particularly popular among football fans from the Atlantic Coast Conference and the Southeastern Conference, with locations in college towns attracting crowds before and after football games.
The franchise claims it uses 2% of all eggs in the food service industry. The company operates 2,100 locations in 25 states, mostly in the south, with more than 150 stores in Alabama. The company was started in 1955 near Atlanta in Avon Estates, Georgia. The home office is currently near Atlanta in Norcross, Georgia. In 1961 the company began to display its famous yellow sign.
