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In the heart of Hapeville, Georgia, a small diner that started with just a handful of booths and a big dream is marking a major milestone.
Hapeville Dwarf House Turns 80
Today, The Original Chick-fil-A Dwarf House turns 80, standing as the undeniable birthplace of one of America’s most beloved fast-food empires.
Humble Beginnings in 1946
S. Truett Cathy, along with his brother Ben, opened the Dwarf Grill (later renamed the Dwarf House) in 1946. The tiny 24-hour eatery occupied a converted house at 461 N Central Ave in Hapeville, just outside Atlanta. Named for its modest size—originally around 512 square feet with only four booths and 10 counter stools—it quickly became a local favorite for classic diner fare like burgers and steaks.
Truett Cathy’s passion for innovation shone through in that small kitchen. He experimented tirelessly with recipes, testing new ideas on loyal customers. His most famous creation—the boneless chicken sandwich seasoned to perfection, served on a buttered bun with two dill pickles—debuted in the early 1960s after years of refinement. That sandwich would later launch the first Chick-fil-A restaurant in 1967 and grow into a national phenomenon.
The original building evolved over the decades. It underwent renovations, survived a relocation of the structure behind the original site in 1967, and received a major remodel in 2022 that preserved iconic features like the little red door, dwarf mural, and original counter stools while doubling the space. Today, it serves as both a working restaurant and a living museum to Chick-fil-A’s roots.
80th Anniversary Celebration
To honor this historic milestone, the Dwarf House is throwing a family-friendly party on Friday, May 15, from 11 AM to 6 PM. Visitors can enjoy:
- Guided tours (subject to availability) offering a behind-the-scenes look at Chick-fil-A history.
- Live entertainment and family-friendly activities.
- A limited-time vintage menu featuring nostalgic favorites, including the Grilled Melt and Banana Pudding à la Mode.
Whether you’re craving a classic Chicken Sandwich, exploring the hidden bronze dwarfs on the property, or simply soaking in the nostalgia, this is the perfect day to experience Atlanta food history firsthand.6
📍 Location: 461 N Central Ave, Hapeville, GA 30354
🕰️ Hours for the event: 11 AM – 6 PMA Lasting Legacy
The Dwarf House isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a testament to Truett Cathy’s values of hard work, innovation, and community. From a tiny grill serving late-night diners to a global brand known for its chicken sandwiches and “closed on Sundays” policy, the journey started right here.
Longtime fans and first-time visitors alike will find more than great food at the Dwarf House. They’ll discover a true piece of Southern entrepreneurial spirit and the exact spot where Chick-fil-A’s iconic sandwich was born.
So mark your calendars, grab the family, and head to Hapeville. After all, as the saying goes at this landmark: “Where it all began.”
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This week Chick-fil-A is opening a new restaurant on North Decatur Road in Decatur and giving customers a chance to win free food for a year. The new location at 650 Decatur Village Way will bring about 90 jobs to the corridor and join a thriving food scene anchored by strong retail development just off Interstate 285.
To celebrate, all participating Atlanta-area Chick-fil-A restaurants are giving away a free chicken biscuit during breakfast hours up to 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 23. There is no purchase necessary, one per customer.
At the new Decatur location, the first 100 eligible adults in line when the doors open on Thursday, Jan. 25 will win free Chick-fil-A — 52 meals made up of a Chicken Sandwich, medium Waffle Potato Fries and a medium drink — for a whole year. The new eatery is the brainchild of franchise owner Rodney Johnson, who will also ask that patrons donate children’s books to a local youth organization during the festivities.
The location is expecting people to arrive a day or so in advance, so they are providing organized games, prizes, and a block party in the evening with lip sync battle and more activities.
The North Decatur Chick-fil-A restaurant is the last of four local locations to open in the first month o f 2018. On Jan. 11, the North Druid Hills restaurant reopened, along with Braselton’s first location and just last week on Jan. 18, a Vine City location opened near Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Combined, the four restaurants awarded to customers more than $120,000 in free food and have brought upwards of 400 new jobs to the metro area.
In February, a Northridge restaurant is going to reopen as well. The expansion is part of an effort to build 140 stand-alone Chick-fil-A restaurants around the United States.
