“The restaurant authentically tells the living legacy of S. Truett Cathy and Chick-fil-A. For every single piece of the building we chose — down to the pavers in the parking lot or the designs in the floor — there had to be a story or intention behind it.”

- Jenn Allstun, Sr. Principal Design Lead, Chick-fil-A

Chick-fil-A Hapeville Dwarf House

The Original Home of Chick-fil-A

The sign above the door reads “Original Home of Chick-fil-A”.  Now, 75 years after its inception, the historic Hapeville Dwarf House has a new home.

When Chick-fil-A asked Narrate Design to re-imagine the iconic Dwarf House restaurant, we knew it would be a journey and a challenge. Not only did the previous Dwarf House building have sentimental elements that had to be incorporated into the new vision, but the project itself holds deep emotion for the owners — the Cathy family — and the Hapeville, GA community. Together, we navigated an extensive programming and design process that included dozens of visioning sessions and highly collaborative planning meetings, the results of which celebrate the legacy of founder Truett Cathy and the future of the Dwarf House.

The new Dwarf House design incorporates a mid-century residential language that pays tribute to the original space — a converted house with only 10 stools and 4 booths — and feels welcoming and “homey” to visitors. In fact, to many regular visitors, it is a home away from home where they connect with their community alongside incomparable food and service. Senior Principal Design Lead Jenn Allstun says of the design, “The overall layout is going to feel very familiar. It has the same sense of home.”

The new Dwarf House is the 4th iteration of the restaurant, and it is designed to be timeless — honoring its fabled past and ensuring a prosperous future for generations to come.