Alachua’s first Chick-fil-A restaurant will open on Thursday, Nov. 20

Press release from Chick-fil-A

ALACHUA, Fla. – A new Chick-fil-A® restaurant will begin serving the Alachua community at its newest location on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, at 6 a.m. Chick-fil-A, Inc. selected Hayden Harbuck as the local Owner-Operator of Chick-fil-A Alachua.

To celebrate the opening, Harbuck and team are calling on the community to show their spots on opening day! Whether it’s a full cow suit or a simple cow-spotted accessory, Guests of all ages are invited to join the fun. Anyone who visits the restaurant on opening day dressed in cow attire can redeem one free entrée* or kid’s meal inside the restaurant or in the drive-thru.

Located at 16310 NW U.S. Highway 441, Chick-fil-A Alachua will serve Guests Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., offering dine-in, drive-thru, carry-out, third-party delivery, mobile pick-up, and Mobile Thru. Because Chick-fil-A restaurants are designed to serve the unique needs of each community, Chick-fil-A Alachua will also feature a play space to serve Guests with children.

Locally Owned and Operated

“Opening my first restaurant is truly a dream come true, and the fact that it’s also the first Chick-fil-A in Alachua makes it even more special,” said Harbuck. “I want this to be a place where the community feels cared for, Team Members feel seen and supported, and the work we do every day adds up to something meaningful.”

Originally from Orlando, Harbuck and his wife Amanda have always called Florida home. His journey to Chick-fil-A began in 2015, when he began working as a Team Member and was inspired by another Owner-Operator to pursue owning a restaurant of his own. Over the next decade, he dedicated himself to serving others, learning the business, and developing his leadership skills. Now, he and Amanda are excited to start this next chapter in Alachua and grow alongside their new community.

Caring for the Alachua Community

Harbuck is committed to giving back to the Alachua community by:

• Celebrating the opening with a $25,000 donation from Chick-fil-A, Inc. to Feeding America in honor of the new restaurant. These funds will be distributed to partners in the greater Gainesville area to aid in the fight against hunger.
• Participating in the Chick-fil-A Shared Table® program, which redirects surplus food to local nonprofits, helping to create over 42 million meals nationwide to date.
• Creating approximately 80 jobs in the Alachua community.

To learn more about careers at Chick-fil-A Alachua, click here. For the latest news and updates on Chick-fil-A Alachua, visit the restaurant’s Facebook page and follow along on Instagram.

Delicious Food; Outstanding Customer Service

Chick-fil-A is known for creating a remarkable restaurant experience, starting with friendly service, a warm welcome, and quality food, including the original Chick-fil-A® Chicken Sandwich. Restaurants strive to provide a great-tasting meal made with real, whole chicken breast and fresh produce, all grown and sourced with care and prepared throughout the day. For more on Chick-fil-A’s high-quality menu options, click here. For more information about the Brand’s food, people, and customers across the country, visit chick-fil-a.com.

Opening Day Offer Details

* Guests who dress in cow attire on opening day can redeem the offer of one free entrée or kid’s meal inside the restaurant or in the drive-thru. Breakfast offer options are a Chick-fil-A® Chicken Biscuit, Egg White Grill, or 4-ct Chick-fil-A Chick-n-Minis®. Lunch/dinner offer options are Chick-fil-A® Chicken Sandwich, Spicy Chicken Sandwich, 8-ct Grilled Nuggets, 8-ct Chick-fil-A® Nuggets, or 5-ct Nugget Kid’s Meal. The offer is limited to one per person in cow attire, per day, while supplies last. No purchase is necessary. See the restaurant for more details.