Aiken’s Chick-fil-A Staple Debra Robinson Celebrates 30 Years of Community Service

Aiken’s Beloved Chick-fil-A Fixture: Debra Robinson Celebrates Over 30 Years of Service

In the charming city of Aiken, South Carolina, there’s a warm and friendly face that has become nothing short of a local institution at Chick-fil-A. (Meet Debra Robinson, a Texas native who has been delighting customers and fostering community spirit since August of 1991!)

Decades of Dedicated Service

When Debra first stepped into Chick-fil-A, it was located in the former Aiken Mall, just a few blocks away from where it stands today on Eastgate Drive. Over three decades later, she has watched the restaurant—and the community—grow and change.

Debra reflects fondly on her start, “I liked the people, and they treated me really, really well here.” And it’s clear that the feeling is mutual! Debra brings an undeniable warmth to every interaction, ensuring that every customer feels like family. Whether she’s serving up fluffy biscuits, taking orders, or just sharing a few friendly words, her approach to customer service is as admirable as it is effective.

A Journey Beyond Aiken

Originally from Fort Worth, Texas, Debra’s journey has taken her far from home. After marrying her husband, Freddie Robinson, who she met at Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, the couple moved around quite a bit–from Guam to North Dakota–before finally settling in Aiken County. Now, she has truly planted her roots in this vibrant community.

Having joined Chick-fil-A at a time when history was bustling (the Soviet Union was entering its final months, and the dream of BMW in South Carolina was just beginning), Debra has seen a lot of change, not just in the restaurant but in people’s lives.

More than Just a Job

For Debra, her work is about more than just serving delicious chicken sandwiches. It’s about building relationships. “I never met a customer that I didn’t like,” she emphasized. Such positivity is contagious! According to Ashley Lynn McDaniel, the marketing director at Aiken’s Chick-fil-A, Debra was a pillar of support from the moment she started working there. “She was one of the first people to greet me, and she showed me the ropes…a mentor to so many of us,” McDaniel shared.

Co-workers, like Shelby Hewitt, describe Debra as the embodiment of the restaurant’s culture. “She’s always here at opening, hit or miss, sleet or snow—she’s here. She’s taught me a lot about balance,” Shelby noted, highlighting Debra’s dedication to both her work and her team.

Community and Family Focused

Debra’s influence extends beyond the walls of Chick-fil-A. As a member of St. John Baptist Church, she is not just a valuable team member but also a community leader and family woman. With three children and seven grandchildren, her family life is as vibrant as her work life—her latest excitement being the addition of twin grandbabies!

Fellow co-workers cannot help but share how Debra lights up the workday. Gigi Terry mentioned, “Every single day when I walk into the door, she’s always, ‘Hey girl, how are you?’ She’s just a big ray of sunshine for us, especially in the mornings.”

Looking Ahead

As she continues to serve her community through her work at Chick-fil-A, Debra Robinson is a shining example of dedication and love. Both customers and coworkers are grateful for her presence, embodying Southern hospitality in its finest form. With the aroma of freshly-prepared food wafting through the air and a welcoming smile on her face, it’s hard not to feel like you’ve found a home away from home when visiting Debra at Aiken Chick-fil-A.

Here’s to Debra and many more years of spreading kindness, warmth, and of course, delicious chicken to the lovely folks of Aiken!