COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Local business owners are asking for the community's help during this tough time.
Thad and Marie Hoffpauir, co-owners of Chicken Salad Chick - College Station, may not have lived in the Brazos Valley for long, but the warmth of the community has welcomed them with open arms and stomachs.
"We are originally from Lafayette, Louisiana and then we moved here to open a franchise," said Marie Hoffpauir. "It's just been a wonderful experience for us."
The Hoffpauir's co-own the franchise along with Marie's parents, Emilie and Debbie Soulier. The restaurant serves 13 different flavors of chicken salad.
"We are a healthier alternative that is fresh from-scratch food made with a lot of love," said Thad Hoffpauir.
Chicken Salad Chick opened its doors in June 2019. The Hoffpauir's said business was booming and saw more than 130 customers a day.
However, with the coronavirus pandemic Chicken Salad Chick are seeing a decline in business.
"All the college kids are gone because Texas A&M and Blinn College are closed. So everything is really slow," said Marie Hoffpauir.
Even though Chicken Salad Chick is part of a franchise, the Hoffpauirs are still local business owners and they employ local people.
"Basically we are trying to take care of our employees that we do have," said Thad Hoffpauir. "Basically taking care of them the best we can and get them through this tough patch."
The Hoffpauir's help donate to local activities like Texas A&M's athletics. They said this is why supporting local businesses is important because the money comes back into the community.
"We do the best we can as of now and to help support the community and the staff that we do have left," said Thad Hoffpauir.
People can order online or by the phone and pick up their order's curbside at Chicken Salad Chick.
This is part of an ongoing series that highlights several businesses across the Brazos Valley during the coronavirus pandemic.
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