Elk Grove’s latest Chick-fil-A is finally ready to roll, and early birds willing to dress like cattle are getting fed for their trouble. When the new spot opens its doors Thursday, anyone showing up in cow gear, from full costume to simple cow-print accessories, can score one free entrée or kid’s meal while supplies last. Owner-operators say the new build also means fresh local hiring and another drive-thru option for the busy corridor.
According to The Sacramento Bee, the grand opening is set for Thursday, at 6:30 a.m., with the costume giveaway available both in the dining room and the drive-thru. The Bee reports the restaurant plans to operate Monday–Thursday from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and on Fridays and Saturdays until 11 p.m., with the opening expected to add about 30 local jobs. In a news release quoted by the paper, owner-operator Kyle Atwater said, “Elk Grove has quickly become a place I feel deeply connected to,” adding that he is grateful to open a second Chick-fil-A in the area.
Per Chick-fil-A’s location page, the new restaurant is listed as Elk Grove Blvd & Wymark at 8140 Elk Grove Blvd and currently appears as “Coming Soon.” The corporate page is already pointing locals to the chain’s careers and menu sections as the store gears up for its debut.
Permit records show this spot has been in the pipeline for a while. Online construction filings indicate a permit for a new 4,989-square-foot Chick-fil-A with a drive-thru was issued in July 2025, with an estimated valuation close to $1.9 million. Documents on BuildZoom detail the permit number and date, tracing the project from paperwork to opening day.
How To Score The Free Meal
The rules are straightforward: show up in something cow-themed and walk away with one free entrée or kid’s meal, as long as supplies last. The Sacramento Bee notes the promotion is valid for guests inside the restaurant and in the drive-thru, with the usual grand-opening fine print applying: first-come, first-served and limited quantities. Anyone serious about cashing in on the free food will want to get there early, since openings like this tend to draw a hungry breakfast crowd.
What It Means Locally
The new build will be Elk Grove’s second Chick-fil-A, joining the long-running location at Elk Grove Marketplace and giving residents another quick-service option in a heavily trafficked retail zone. Chick-fil-A’s Elk Grove Marketplace page confirms the chain’s existing footprint in the city and indicates hiring is already in motion at area locations. For locals hoping to land a spot on the team as the Feb. 19 opening approaches, the company’s careers portal remains the go-to place to check for available roles.
