It’s not just a rumor this time.

Construction began earlier this month on a Chick-fil-A restaurant at the intersection of Tallahassee Highway and Douglas Drive, and it will be serving its popular chicken to Bainbridge customers this fall.

Bainbridge Chick-fil-A operator Kolby Shepherd moved to Bainbridge with his wife and daughter last week and is thrilled to bring the food he loves to a community excited to eat it.

“(I’m looking forward to) the opportunity to bring a great restaurant with great service to a town that is so awesome,” said Shepherd. “We get the ability to run a Chick-fil-A restaurant in Bainbridge. We want to meet the people who are excited about it and offer them great tasting food and amazing service.”

Shepherd, originally from Dublin, Georgia, sees a lot of similarities between Bainbridge and where he grew up, appreciating the size and feel of the city.

He said he was looking forward to he and his family joining the community and becoming involved.

“We are beyond excited, thrilled and pumped,” added Shepherd.

Tentatively, Bainbridge’s Chick-fil-A is set to open in late September, early October. As construction draws to a close, a firm date will be released.

Callie Bowers, a member of Chick-fil-A’s PR team, said the company and the City of Bainbridge were finally able to put the pieces together for a new restaurant.

“We’ve been eager to serve Bainbridge for quite some time, and we have found a great location in an area that will best serve the community,” said Bowers. “We look forward to serving our future guests delicious food in a welcoming restaurant environment.”

Chick-fil-A has an entire team dedicated to researching the best locations for its restaurants. Based on that data, Bowers said the location for the new Chick-fil-A on Tallahassee Highway will best serve the community.

“We look forward to being part of the Bainbridge community for years to come,” said Bowers.

Those interested in working at Chick-fil-A can keep a lookout for a “Bainbridge Chick-fil-A” Facebook page that will announce job openings and other details that potential employees and customers will find useful.

The nearest Chick-fil-A restaurants to Bainbridge currently are 38 miles away in Tallahassee, 41 miles away in Thomasville, 53 miles away in Dothan and 61 miles away in Albany.

“I think them coming to town is great,” said Bainbridge resident Sherry Williams. “I’m excited. I’ll probably eat there a couple times of week. Me and my daughters travel all the way to Albany to get it usually, so I’m happy.”

Bainbridge resident Joley Henry travels to Dothan to eat Chick-fil-A. She’s also excited to enjoy the food in her hometown.

“All the other Chick-fil-A’s stay wrapped up in their town, so they will probably will stay here too,” said Henry.