Jack’s Family Restaurant opens today at 5 a.m. at the new Hartselle location at 949 U.S. 31.

“We are extremely thrilled about opening this location in Hartselle,” CEO and Jack’s owner Benny LaRussa said.

“We are a family- and community-oriented fast food chain and are excited about becoming a part of the family atmosphere in Hartselle.”

Jack’s area manager Dale Seals said Jack’s became involved in the Hartselle community even before the store’s grand opening.

“This season, we’re sponsoring the Hartselle football team through field signs and football tickets,” Seals said.

“Besides good food, Hartselle has a lot to look forward to in the fact that Jack’s loves supporting the people it serves. We want to help with any organization there, from churches to the school system. We want to become partners with the community.”

Jack’s store manager Patricia Nichols will work among 45 employees, including assistant managers Charlie Love, Pam Thomas, Phoenix Reeder, Kim Vanwagnen and breakfast manager Heather Merkle.

The Hartselle restaurant is a standard Jack’s store with a drive?thru. The restaurant can seat up to 85 people and is handicap accessible. Hours of operation for the store will be 5 a.m. until 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, and 5 a.m. until 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Jack’s features a wide range of menu items, which include its signature sandwich, the “BIG JACK,” fried chicken, hamburgers, salads, milkshakes and the award?winning, made from scratch, buttermilk biscuits on the breakfast menu.

Seals hopes Jack’s will be recognized as a place for the locals to gather and enjoy great food. He expressed his gratitude to the entire city for already making Jack’s feel at home.

“The people I have met in the community have been awesome,” Seals said. “They seem very excited about Jack’s being there, and I’m just as excited about being there for them.”

About Jack’s Family Restaurants, Inc.

Jack’s Family Restaurants Inc. was started in 1960 in Homewood. The restaurant specializes in fresh burgers, crinkle-cut fries and hand-dipped shakes. Jack’s is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Jack’s has more than 100 stores across the Southeast, with locations in Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi and Georgia.

- Information courtesy of Jack’s Family Restaurant