By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA–The grand opening celebration of the new Jack’s fast food restaurant in Helena was marked with free giveaways, prize drawings and even a surprise visit from a familiar mascot on Friday, Dec. 4.

A ribbon cutting celebration was held at the brand new Jack’s that opened off 4864 Shelby County 17 that included giveaways for The Birmingham Zoo’s: Zoolight Safari, free Jack’s for a year, University of Alabama basketball tickets and a visit from the University of Alabama mascot Big Al.

Jack’s family restaurants are known for their heavy involvement in the community’s where they open a new restaurant, and the Helena Jack’s is already showing their commitment to the city.

Jack’s made a $300 donation to the Helena High School Band, donated $500 to the Helena Police Department’s No Shave November fundraiser, set up a booth at Helena’s First Friday event and provided free breakfast for police, fire and other personnel helping with the city’s annual Christmas parade.

One of those residents who attended the Jack’s grand opening was Michael Roy, whose family owned the original property where the new Jack’s opened.

“My great grandparents originally moved here and it was home from about 1953 until June of this year,” said Roy. “My thing my wife and I always wanted was to give back to the community and Jack’s is so well known for giving back to the community and schools so when we knew we had that coming we were excited.”

The Helena location will be staffed by local community members. The restaurant includes a drive‐thru, is handicap accessible, and can seat up to 85.

Jack’s is known for their tasty breakfast, burgers, crinkle-cut fries and hand-dipped shakes.

Hours of operation for the store will be Monday through Thursday from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. The store will open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays.

Jack’s Family Restaurants, Inc. was started in 1960 in Homewood, Ala. Jack’s has more than 130 stores across the Southeast including locations in Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi and Georgia.