Led by Lakeland native Kara Kirkland
LAKELAND, Fla. (March 4, 2026) – A new Chick-fil-A® restaurant will begin serving the Lakeland community at its newest location on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 6:30 a.m., creating approximately 120 jobs. Chick-fil-A, Inc. selected Kara Kirkland to be the local Owner-Operator of Chick-fil-A Shepherd Rd.
Located at 6875 S Florida Ave., Chick-fil-A Shepherd Rd will serve Guests Monday through Saturday from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., offering dine-in, drive-thru, carry-out, curbside pick-up, third-party delivery, Mobile Pick-up and Mobile Thru.
Locally Owned and Operated
“Opening Chick-fil-A Shepherd Rd is an incredible honor and a true full-circle moment,” said Kirkland. “The lessons I learned here as a teenager were the launching pad for everything that’s followed. I’m so excited to build a place where others can discover their potential and where my son can grow up surrounded by the same care and community that shaped me.”
For Kirkland, this opening is more than a career milestone — it’s a return to her roots. Her
Chick-fil-A journey began as a Team Member at Chick-fil-A S. Florida Ave, where she worked alongside her mom and brother. What started as a first job became a meaningful experience that sparked her passion for hospitality and community. After high school, she continued working for Chick-fil-A, while pursuing her degree, then broadened her experience through opportunities in the hospitality industry. In 2016, she returned to the Brand and set her sights on becoming a local Owner-Operator, driven by a growing passion for deeper community impact and mentoring the next generation of young leaders.
Now, more than a decade since her first role, Kirkland is excited to return home to open
Chick-fil-A Shepherd Rd, just three miles from the restaurant where her Chick-fil-A journey first began. She and her husband, John, whom she met through Chick-fil-A, look forward to raising their son near family and creating a restaurant that reflects Lakeland’s small-town spirit, built on care, community and opportunity.
Caring for the Lakeland Community:
Kirkland is committed to giving back to the Lakeland community by:
- Participating Chick-fil-A Shared Table program, partnering locally with Talbot House Ministries, to redirect surplus food to neighbors in need. Nationwide, the Chick-fil-A Shared Table® program has helped to create over 42 million meals to date with over 2,500 restaurants participating.
- 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 Tampa area to aid in the fight against hunger.
To learn more about careers at Chick-fil-A Shepherd Rd, click here. For the latest news and updates on Chick-fil-A Shepherd Road, visit the restaurant’s Facebook page and follow along on Instagram.
To celebrate the restaurant opening, Kirkland and team are inviting the community to show their spots at a Moove-In Party 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.
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.
About Chick-fil-A, Inc.
Chick-fil-A, Inc. is the third largest quick-service restaurant company in the United States, known for its freshly-prepared food, signature hospitality and unique franchise model. More than 200,000 Team Members are employed by local Owner-Operators in more than 3,000 restaurants across the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, the UK and Singapore.
Chick-fil-A local Owner-Operators live and work in the communities their restaurants serve, each supporting local efforts and making a positive impact. Chick-fil-A gives back through programs including Shared Table, True Inspiration Awards and Scholarships. The family-owned and privately held company got its start in 1946, founded by S. Truett Cathy. More information on Chick-fil-A is available at www.chick-fil-a.com and Chick-fil-A Press Room.
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Contact: Media Hotline: (800) 404-7196
Email: [email protected]
