Mount Dora’s second Chick-fil-A restaurant, located at 19360 Highway 441, is set to open Thursday morning, but the celebration began days earlier with a dedication service, ribbon cutting and VIP preview event.

The new Golden Groves Chick-fil-A will officially open at 6:30 a.m. Thursday. To mark the occasion, guests who wear cow print to the restaurant’s grand opening will receive a free entrée.

On Sunday, restaurant leaders gathered to dedicate the new location to God. The following day, invited guests, first responders, local officials and Chick-fil-A VIP fans were given a first look inside during a special soft opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Operator Rick Powell told attendees that faith and service are at the heart of the restaurant’s mission.

“Last night, we had friends and family here to dedicate this restaurant to the service of the Lord,” he said during Monday’s event. “And that’s something that here at Chick-fil-A we take really, really personally.”

Rick says Chick-fil-A’s purpose extends beyond serving food.

“We are rooted in our purpose and known for our care at Chick-fil-A Mount Dora,” he says. “Our purpose at Chick-fil-A is to glorify God by being a faithful steward of his resources and to have a positive influence in all who come into contact with Chick-fil-A.”

Rick said he looks forward to continuing that mission at Mount Dora Golden Groves.

As part of the opening celebration, Chick-fil-A presented a $25,000 donation to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. Rick says the gift reflects the company’s commitment to caring for others and addressing food insecurity.

“One of the things that we’re really passionate about at Chick-fil-A is trying to be the world’s most caring company,” he says. “And we also care about taking care of hunger.”

The new restaurant becomes Chick-fil-A’s second location in Mount Dora and is expected to serve residents in the growing areas along U.S. Highway 441.