Maine’s Auburn Area Is Getting Its First Chick-fil-A, and It’s Already Taking Shape
The wait for Chick-fil-A in Auburn, Maine, is nearing an end, and visible progress is finally underway. Construction has begun on the city’s first Chick-fil-A restaurant, bringing the popular chicken chain another step closer to serving customers in the Lewiston-Auburn area. The restaurant is planned for 65 Mount Auburn Avenue, near Auburn Mall, with an anticipated opening in early 2027.
According to a September 27, 2026, report, construction fencing and a trailer were already in place at the property. The report confirmed that work had started on a stand-alone restaurant next to Hobby Lobby in Turner Street Center Plaza. For residents who have followed the project through planning meetings and approvals, the construction activity marks an important development.
Construction Is Finally Underway Near Auburn Mall
The new restaurant is being developed at 65 Mount Auburn Avenue, within a commercial area that already attracts shoppers to Auburn Mall and nearby stores. The location sits beside Hobby Lobby, making it easy for residents familiar with the Turner Street shopping district to find. Unlike a food court location, this Chick-fil-A will operate from its own building with a dedicated drive-thru.
Auburn’s Planning Board approved the project in July 2025 after reviewing its proposed layout, parking arrangements, and pedestrian access. City officials approved the development after addressing concerns about pedestrian connections. That decision allowed the project to advance, although additional planning and development work remained before construction could begin.
The property was part of an established commercial development, but the area designated for Chick-fil-A remained undeveloped. Documents submitted to Auburn officials identified the restaurant site as part of a larger parcel within Turner Street Center Plaza. The project therefore represents new commercial construction within an existing shopping area rather than replacing an operating restaurant.
What the New Chick-fil-A Will Look Like
The Auburn location will offer more than just a counter for ordering chicken sandwiches. According to the city’s revised development plans from October 2025, the building is designed to measure approximately 5,394 square feet, an increase from an earlier proposal of about 5,189 square feet. The updated layout includes 92 indoor seats, giving customers the option to dine in instead of relying entirely on takeout.
The drive-thru is another important part of the project. Plans call for two drive-thru lanes, with the revised design providing about 850 feet of queuing space, up from 790 feet in the earlier version. City documents indicate that the adjustment could accommodate approximately three additional vehicles waiting to order.
Parking has also received considerable attention during the planning process. The revised design adds 16 parking spaces to the earlier layout, while the restaurant’s lease provides access to approximately 80 additional spaces in an adjacent lot. These arrangements matter because the restaurant will share a commercial area with other businesses and their customers.
Pedestrian Safety Was a Major Concern During Approval
Getting the project approved was not entirely straightforward. During the Auburn Planning Board’s July 8, 2025, meeting, members raised concerns about how pedestrians would safely reach the restaurant from nearby sidewalks and businesses. Those discussions influenced the conditions attached to the project’s approval.
An initial motion failed 3-3 because some board members believed the proposal did not adequately address pedestrian connections. A revised motion required the developer to coordinate with Auburn’s city engineer on pedestrian access to the Turner Street sidewalk network. The board later approved the amended proposal unanimously, 6-0.
The October 2025 revisions provided further detail about how those concerns would be addressed. The plans included an accessible ramp, sidewalk connections, handrails, landings, and crosswalks, along with a connection toward Hobby Lobby. They also narrowed a proposed parking drive aisle from 30 feet to 25 feet to calm traffic.
When Will Auburn’s Chick-fil-A Open?
For anyone hoping to grab a Chick-fil-A sandwich in Auburn, the biggest remaining question is the opening date. Fortunately, the company has provided an approximate timeline, although a specific grand opening day has not been announced. In a July 2026 statement reported by local media, Chick-fil-A said it expects the Auburn restaurant to open in early 2027, provided the project does not encounter delays.
That timeline gives residents a general idea of when the restaurant may begin welcoming customers. However, an anticipated opening period is not a confirmed launch date, especially while construction remains underway. The company has not publicly established an exact opening day for the Mount Auburn Avenue location in the information reviewed.
Chick-fil-A maintains an official restaurant openings page where customers can follow announcements about new locations. Opening information and grand opening celebrations may also be shared through individual restaurant social media pages. For Auburn residents, checking those official channels is the most reliable way to confirm when the restaurant will open.
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Auburn Will Join Chick-fil-A’s Growing Maine Presence
The Auburn project is part of Chick-fil-A’s broader expansion in Maine. The company already operates restaurants in Bangor and Westbrook, and construction has also started on another restaurant at the Maine Mall in South Portland. These developments show that the chain is establishing additional locations beyond its existing Maine restaurants.
The South Portland project provides an interesting comparison because it is also being developed in a major shopping area. According to a June 2026 report by the Portland Press Herald, that restaurant is being built on a 1.25-acre parcel previously used for surplus parking near Macy’s. At the time of that report, the South Portland location did not have a confirmed opening date.
For the Lewiston-Auburn community, the Mount Auburn Avenue restaurant will provide a closer option than the chain’s established locations elsewhere in Maine. Its planned combination of indoor dining, drive-thru service, and proximity to existing retail businesses gives customers several ways to incorporate a visit into their shopping trips. The location is particularly relevant to people who already use the Turner Street commercial area for everyday errands.
What Customers Can Expect When the Restaurant Opens
Chick-fil-A is best known for its chicken sandwiches, waffle fries, and chicken nuggets. The company was founded by S. Truett Cathy, who opened the first Chick-fil-A restaurant in Atlanta in 1967. Since then, the chain has expanded across the United States and into other markets.
One detail customers should know: Chick-fil-A restaurants are traditionally closed on Sundays. The company traces that practice to its founder, who established Sunday closures to give employees a day off. Although the specific operating hours for Auburn have not been announced, the company’s established Sunday-closure policy is expected to apply.
What Happens Next for Auburn’s New Restaurant?
After months of planning, reviews, and revisions, Auburn’s Chick-fil-A project has progressed from an approved proposal to an active construction site. The September 2026 report of construction fencing and a trailer on the property confirms that physical work has begun. However, that doesn’t show how much of the building itself is complete or when construction will finish.
For local shoppers, the next developments worth watching will be the restaurant building taking shape and the company announcing its official opening arrangements. The approved plans describe a restaurant with indoor seating, a two-lane drive-thru, parking access, and pedestrian connections. Those features show what the completed location is intended to offer.
Auburn’s first Chick-fil-A is no longer just a proposal discussed at city meetings. It is now a construction project with an identified location, approved development plans, and an anticipated early 2027 opening. The exact grand opening date remains unconfirmed, but Chick-fil-A’s arrival in the Lewiston-Auburn area is now a meaningful step closer to reality.
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