AUBURN — Fencing is up, and the construction trailer is in place, as national chicken chain Chick-fil-A has begun construction of a stand-alone location at 65 Mount Auburn Ave.

The 5,200-square-foot store is located adjacent to Hobby Lobby and will feature a drive-thru.

“It’s our pleasure to confirm we will be opening a new Chick-fil-A restaurant in Auburn, Maine, in early 2027, pending any delays,” the company responded July 17. “We look forward to joining the community and to serving all of our guests delicious food in an environment of genuine hospitality.”

The company is the third largest fast-food chain in the nation, behind Starbucks and McDonald’s, and is known for its chicken sandwiches, waffle fries and its focus on customer service.

Chick-fil-A is based in the Atlanta, Georgia, metropolitan area and has more than 3,000 locations in 48 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and Canada. The restaurant has two locations in Maine — in Westbrook and Bangor — with a third under construction in South Portland.

Every time a new Chick-fil-A restaurant opens, Chick-fil-A Inc. donates $25,000 to Feeding America or Second Harvest in Canada to support local hunger relief efforts.

The company was founded by S. Truett Cathy, who opened the first Chick-fil-A restaurant in Atlanta in 1967, although Cathy and his brother first offered the now famous chicken sandwich at The Dwarf House restaurant in Atlanta in 1946.

Cathy started the tradition of closing on Sundays to give employees a chance to rest and worship if they so choose. All Chick-fil-A stores are closed on Sundays.

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